Ezzelino da Romano, a cruel tyrant, ruled Verona from 1226 to 1259. After his death the power was taken over by the city associations, which elected Massimo della Scala as their representative. Memebers of this family (the Scaligeri Clan) ruled the city for several years. In 1301 Alberto Succeeded Massimo, and his sons Bartolome, Alboino and Can Francesco succeeded him. Francesco became in 1308 the prince of the city (Cangrande I), during this period Verona achieved it highest splendor, Verona dominated almost all Veneto territory.