The Doge wasn't selected randomly, but via a series of randomized election rounds in order to ensure that no coordination was possible. Wiki has a fun descripti

The Doge wasn't selected randomly, but via a series of randomized election rounds in order to ensure that no coordination was possible. Wiki has a fun description: > Thirty members of the Great Council, chosen by lot, were reduced by lot to nine; the nine chose forty and the forty were reduced by lot to twelve, who chose twenty-five. The twenty-five were reduced by lot to nine, and the nine elected forty-five. These forty-five were once more reduced by lot to eleven, and the eleven finally chose the forty-one who elected the doge.[19] Election required at least twenty-five votes out of forty-one, nine votes out of eleven or twelve, or seven votes out of nine electors. Ancient Athens appointed most offices by lot, they even had a democracy machine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kleroterion https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kleroterion