The Great City-States of Italy

FlorenceVeniceGenoa

Florence (Fiorenza)

Built on the Arno River. During the Renaissance, it became the centre of highly successful bankers, and silk and wool merchants.

Was the richest of the city-states. Started as a republic but due to power

struggles between various groups it did not last. The Medici family ended up taking control.

The Medici Family

Cosimo de Medici – was called pater patrie “father of his country” for all the support he gave to art and public buildings. Also, a great statesman, and led the negotiations of the Treaty of Lodi (1454), which brought peace among the city-states.

Lorenzo De Medici (grandson) – succeeded his grandfather as ruler of Florence- Gave less to support public buildings and rather built up a personal collection of art for himself. Conspirators tried to murder him but failed; killing his brother instead. Interned Machiavelli “The Prince”.

A powerful influence in Florence for 3 centuries (1350-1650). Great supporters of the Arts and public

buildings in Florence.Their wealth brought much to Fiorenza -churches, monuments, Greek and

Roman works of literature and ideas

Florence (continued…)

Social System-Class system

-People in the merchant class werecalled the popolo grasso

(the fat people)-Organized themselves into guilds

like modern day unions. -Workers were called popolo minuto

(the little people)Most had been peasants who had moved into the city for

work, in the fabric industries.The workers were not allowed to be members of the guilds.

Nobles, or the upper class, stilled owned most of the land and continued to live on estates outside the city

Venice (Venezia)

• Founded in the 5th Century on shallow islands along the coast of the Adriatic Sea.

Was considered to be one of the most important port cities.

Along with the trading of goods, many important ideas and knowledge were introduced through this city-state.

Today, is known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Venice

Venice

Aristocracy: The original noble families who had controlled Venice since tribal times and could vote for government.

Original Citizens: just below the aristocracy and could hold public office but could not vote.

Commoners: had some rights as citizens but could only apply for a limited number of government jobs.

Social System (3 Classes) Upper – Aristocracy Middle – Cittadini Originarii Lower – Common People

Venice - Scuole

S - associations that met for prayer sessions, collected money for good causes and, most importantly, held masses for their members that were sick, dying, or dead.

- Was a self-established social security system for its members.

- Not only was it felt to be a way of repenting for the desires of life before entering the afterlife but,

- was a way, through pooling members money, to help those members when fallen on hard times.

Genoa

Genoa- was called the two-faced land; as from one side it faced the mountains, while

the other faced the sea.

- One of the major trade routes from the Black sea into the rest of Europe.

- Much in the way of trade and culture came to Europe through Genoa.

- Had a big part in supporting those going over to the holy land during the crusades.

Genoa

Biggest competition came from Venice, being the other major port for trade in Italy.

- The two cities signed the Peace of Turin 1381, allowing each city-state to maintain their own trading post with no interference from the other.

Genoa During the Middle Ages, was a

Republic, governed by rival clans or families. In the 1300s, the families struggling for

control divided up the city into sections, each taking their own part.

This period of peace allowed the city to focus on expanding its trading empire.

When Genoa lost Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire, trade out of Genoa declined.

The Italian city-state of Milan, than later France took control of Genoa.