Duce

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Duce is an Italian word meaning leader, derived from Latin word dux of the same meaning.

[edit] History of use

The title was used by Gabriele D'Annunzio as dictator of the self-proclaimed Italian Regency of Carnaro in 1920.

As early as 1923, Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini adopted the name Duce, as his de facto title in an attempt to elevate himself to a position as the nation's unquestioned supreme leader. German Chancellor Adolf Hitler's title of Führer in Nazi Germany was a direct translation of this term.

The term is not commonly used, except in reference to Benito Mussolini. The term was also applied to Rudolph Giuliani during his term as mayor of New York City (1994-2002), in reference to his alleged dictatorial management style.

The character played by Billy Connolly in the 1999 film The Boondock Saints was named Il Duce.

[edit] Related terms

Other Italian leaders whose names derive from dux are the Doges of Venice and Genoa, and the title of nobility duca ("duke").