VENICE DURING THE RENAISSANCE

Introduction

Venice was a one of a kind city

It was built entirely on piles sunk into marshy islands at the head of the Adriatic Sea

The city has hundreds of canals, which function as roads and highways

Venice is one of the foremost cities of the Italian Renaissance

The city had a population of more than 150,000 people

History/Significance of the Navy



Venice gained control of the Adriatic Sea - established out posts, and became a staging area of the Crusades

In 1275 the Venetian, Marco Polo reached Beijing-opening a trade route between Europe and the far east.

Venice was successful city because the leaders created a powerful Navy

The navy was able to gain control of the trade routes of the Mediterranean Sea

The Venetians maintained hundreds of merchant ships, warships and thousands of sailors.

The cities navy made it impossible to attack Venice

Politics/Artists

Venetians referred to their city as a republic, which is a form of democracy

The Venetians however had little political freedom

The supreme ruler doge, was elected for life

The city also had a senate and a great council that passed laws

the doge and the members of the council all came from wealthy families

All the citizens were at the mercy of the government

Venice like Florence, had many artists who were patronized by wealthy merchants

Architects built beautiful palaces and official buildings throughout the city

Titan was the most famous Venetian artist

Thanks to Titan, Venice remains one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Reference List

Pierre, Michael and Martin Prosper. The Human Story, Europe in the Middle Ages. New Jersey: Silver Burdett Press Inc, 1988

Grolier Encyclopaedia. Grolier Electronics, 1996

by Joe