Venice
Topic: Renaissance, Reformation and the Scientific Revolution · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 3 "Changing Traditions"; Class 11, Ch 5 "Changing Cultural Traditions"
Meaning
Venice was a merchant republic and one of the liveliest cities of Renaissance Italy. Along with Genoa, its ships traded with Muslim states and with the eastern lands that remained of the Roman Empire. In Venice the clergy were not politically powerful and there were no powerful feudal lords. Rich merchants and bankers took part in government, which helped the idea of citizenship take root.
Example
In The Commonwealth and Government of Venice (1534), Cardinal Gasparo Contarini described how Venice was ruled. A council of gentlemen over 25 years of age governed the city, and members were chosen by 'nobility of lineage' (noble birth), not by wealth. Venice was also home to the scholar Cassandra Fedele (1465–1558), who was skilled in Greek and Latin.
Don't confuse with
- Court-cities: Italian towns ruled by princes. Venice was a republic governed by a council.