Early Venice
Venice didn’t appear out of nothing – there was something before which led to the Venice we know as the Serenissima.
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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.
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‘New’ frescoes in the Torcello basilica
Recently discovered frescoes in the church of Torcello, former seat of the bishop, attest the close connections early Venice had to the Caroligian empire.