Articles
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Main sources for early Venice
A summary of the main primary sources for the early history of Venice, and where to find them.
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Did Narses invite the Lombards?
Why did the Lombards decide to invade Byzantine Italy in 568? A popular story was the Byzantine general Narses, who had just retaken Italy for the empire, invited them. Was Narses a traitor to the empire?
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The Lombard Invasion
The Lombard invasion of Byzantine Italy in 568 was a pivotal event in Venetian history, as it kicked off the movement towards a distinct Venetian society, culture and, ultimately, state.
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The “Historia Langobardorum” by Paul the Deacon
The “Historia Langobardorum” is the oldest chronicle relevant to the history of Venice. It probably dates to the 780s or 790s.
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Diuersarum nationum habitus (1589) — Pietro Bertelli
The “Diuersarum nationum habitus” by Pietro Bertllii is a collection of prints of how the people of the world dress, especially the Venetians.
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Chastity hair, with horns
A rather curious Venetian fashion, with the curls set high, as a pair of horns, and as a sign of chastity and virtue.
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Sewage in Venice
One of the most common questions I get on my walking tours, is about sewage. Where does it go? Are the canals open sewers? What about Katharine Hepburn?
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Habiti delle Donne Venetiane (c.1610) — Giacomo Franco
A collection of prints from the early 1600s, mostly with female dresses and attires.
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Gabriel Bella — an unknown painter
The paintings of Gabriel Bella are well-known and often used, but very little is known about Gabriel Bella.
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Venetia citta nobilissima et singolare (1581) — Francesco Sansovino
The “Venetia citta nobilissima et singolare” (1581) by Francesco Sansovino is a detailed description of Venice, as it once was.