Venetian State
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Venice might not have been
Venice was an independent state for almost a millennium, but it might note have been. It all hinged on a single battle fought in the Venetian lagoon in 810.
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Why St Mark?
San Marco, or St Mark, is the patron saint of Venice since 828, and the Feast of St Mark on April 25th is an important day in Venice.
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The United States of America and the Republic of Venice
The founding fathers of the United States of America sought inspiration, and looked to Venice, the oldest of only two republics in Europe in the 1700s.
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John Adams on the Venetian constitution
John Adams wrote about the Venetian constitution in 1787 in the “A Defense of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America”.
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Invasions of Italy in Late Antiquity
In late Antiquity the north-east of the Italian peninsula suffered many invasions. The wars caused people to move to the safer lagoon areas, and hence to the foundation of Venice.
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The Birthday of Venice
The Birthday of Venice of is traditionally on March 25th, 421 CE, but this is far more legend than historical truth.
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The Maggior Consiglio
The Maggior Consiglio – or the Great Council – was the highest authority of the Venetian Republic. It was not, however, an elected body. It was the entire electorate.
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The Doge
The doge was the elected head of the Venetian Republic. He was elected for life by an arcane process that also included drawing lots.
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Why did Venice become a republic?
Venice was a republic from the beginning, but in a time when hereditary power was the norm, why did Venice become a republic and not a monarchy?
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Long live the doge
Viva il doge – Long live the doge – the writing on the wall celebrating the election of Andrea Gritto as doge in april 1523