The Extraordinary City of Venice - Queen of the Adriatic

Introduction

• Venice, known as the 'Queen of the Adriatic'
• Its history spans a thousand years as a maritime republic and naval power
• Origins date back to small fishing communities during the Roman Empire

Early History

• 5th century AD: Refugees from barbarian tribes settled in Venice
• In 726, Orso was elected as the first Doge, starting a line of 117 Doges
• Italy was largely ruled by the Byzantine Empire until 751, but Venice remained independent
• Charlemagne and the Franks failed to capture Venice
• Venice became a trading hub between Europe and the East

Rise as a Trading Power

• Venice traded Italian grain and wine for spices and silk from Constantinople
• Salt trade was crucial; salt described as the foundation of the state
• St. Mark's body was smuggled to Venice in 828, boosting its status
• Built a navy to combat pirates

Military and Naval Power

• Distinctive warship: the galley
• Venice's Arsenale built in 1103, pioneering industrial techniques
• Became the greatest commercial and naval power in the Eastern Mediterranean

The Crusades and Expansion

• Closely involved with Crusader states
• In 1202, Doge Enrico Dandolo persuaded crusaders to attack Constantinople
• Venice gained significant wealth and territory, fueling rivalry with Genoa

Governance and Society

• Venice had a unique republican government dominated by nobility
• Great Council, Quarantia, Senate, and Signoria were key governing bodies
• The Doge's power was symbolic but influential
• Known for effective and stable governance

Conflicts and Rivalries

• Long-standing rivalry with Genoa for supremacy in the Eastern Mediterranean
• Wars with Genoa, Austria, Hungary, and other states
• Marco Polo's capture and his account of travels in China
• Peace of Turin in 1381 ended the wars, but both cities were exhausted

Renaissance and Cultural Flourishing

• Venice was a driving force of the Italian Renaissance
• Home to great artists, architects, and scholars
• Printing capital of the world by the end of the 15th century

Decline and External Threats

• Faced threats from the Ottoman Empire
• Fall of Byzantine Empire in 1453 marked a turning point
• Numerous conflicts with the Ottomans over the next two centuries

Later Years and Final Conflicts

• 17th century: Fought for Crete, lost it after a long siege
• Joined the Great Turkish War in 1683, initially successful but later lost Greek territories
• By the 18th century, Venice was a fading power

The End of the Republic

• French Revolutionary Wars led to the fall of Venice in 1797
• Incorporated into various states, finally part of the Kingdom of Italy in the 1860s

Legacy

• Despite its fall, Venice remains a cultural beacon
• Challenges today include mass tourism and rising seas due to climate change