Early Venice
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Early Venice
The Venetian people were indigenous, and already present on the territory in Roman times. The Republic of Venice appeared out of the tumultuous centuries in late Antiquity and the early Middle Ages. Invasions The earliest times Legends
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Archaeological digs in St. Mark’s square
Archaeological digs in the Piazza San Marco have uncovered parts of the ancient church of San Giminiano and a grave of four persons
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Oranges and straw hats
Once a year — on February 2nd — the Doge of Venice received a gift of two oranges and two straw hats from the guild of the box-makers.
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A Drawing of Venice from c. 1350
Dr Sandra Toffolo of the University of St Andrews has found a drawing of Venice from the 1300s in a manuscript in Florence
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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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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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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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Why did Venice get rich?
Venice was rich. The wealth came from long distance trade, which relied on the geographical position of Venice.