EXTENSION
During the 9th-12th century, Venice developed into a city-state (Italian empire or maritime republic; the remaining three were Genoa, Pisa and Amalfi). The strategic position at the top of the Adriatic Sea makes Venice's naval and commercial power almost unbreakable. The city became a prosperous trading center between Western Europe and other regions (especially the Byzantine Empire and Islamic countries).
The foundation of the Venetian regime was based on the 12th century: the Venetian arsenal was built in 1104; Venice took control of the Brenner pass from Verona in 1178, and opened the route to transport silver to German. The last dictatorship of the Venetian governor, Vitale Michiele, died in 1172.
The Republic of Venice occupied the east coast of the Adriatic Sea before 1200, and most of it was a commercial consideration because pirates posed a trade threat. The governor of Venice also won the titles of governor of Dalmatia and governor of Ivan Fistler Peninsula.
Later, the mainland's territory crossed Lake Garda to the west of the Ada River and was called Terraferma. Part of it is used as a buffer against belligerent neighbors, part of it is to ensure the trade routes of the Alps, and to protect the mainland to provide the grains needed by Venice. In order to build a maritime trading empire, the Republic needed to control most of the Aegean islands, including Crete and Cyprus, and became a major power broker in the Near East. During this period, the mainland ’s territory was relatively open to the management of Venice. When threatened by the aggressors, Bellagamo, Brescia, and Verona would integrate to defend Venice ’s rule.
After the Fourth Crusade, Venice became part of the Latin Empire and was ruled by Constantinople (the Latin Empire occupied Constantinople in 1204). Venice expanded its influence and established the Duchy of the Archipelago. When the Turks defeated the Byzantine Empire in the Battle of Manzantl, this may be the last moment when Constantinople had a decisive influence on Venice. Although the Byzantine Empire regained control of the city half a century later, the country's power was already quite weak. Muhammad II of the Ottoman Empire occupied the city in 1453. Many treasures looted from the Byzantine Empire were brought back to Venice, including the symbol of Venice-St. Mark's Flying Lion.
Because Venice is located on the waterfront of the Adriatic Sea, it has extensive trading activities with the Byzantine Empire and Islamic countries. By the end of the 13th century, Venice had become the most prosperous city in Europe. At the peak of power and wealth, Venice had 36,000 sailors to drive 3,300 ships, and dominated the commercial activities of the Middle Ages. During this period, the upper-class families in Venice will build the most majestic squares, support the greatest works and cultivate the most talented artists to compete with each other. At that time, the city was managed by the Grand Council, and most of its members were made up of influential families in Venice. The Grand Council appoints all public officials and elects the Senate composed of 200 to 300 people. Then the Senate will elect the "10-member Parliament," a secret organization that holds the greatest management authority in Venice. This organization will elect a governor (doge or duke) to become the official leader of Venice.
The administrative structure of Venice is similar to the system of the Republic of Rome. It is composed of an elected administrator (Governor of Venice), a similar Senate, an institution composed of nobles, and many citizens with partial political power. Centuries ago, citizens had the right to agree or reject each newly elected governor. The church and many private buildings are used for military purposes, although Venice has no knights for life. Cavalieri di San Marco is the only cavalier class that has existed in Venice. No citizen can accept foreign orders without government consent. During the period of independence, Venice still maintained a republic, and politics and military were completely separated. But in some cases, the governor can also rule the army, such as Enrico Dandolo during the Fourth Crusade. In other senses, war represents an accessory to business. Therefore, Venice made a large number of employees in the early days to serve any place. Later, when the ruling class occupied business, it relied on these foreign employees.
The Governor is the highest executive, and in theory is a lifelong system. In fact, many governors were forced to abandon their positions and retreat to monasteries to retreat after being deemed to have suffered political failure by oligarchy composed of nobles. There were also examples of governors exiled and executed by nobles or parliaments.
The people of Venice are generally believers of orthodox Catholicism, and the first few governors of Venice were also church leaders. There was no religious fanaticism in the medieval area of Venice, and no law was executed to enforce religious heresy during the anti-religious reform period.
This apparent lack of enthusiasm led to frequent disputes between Venice and the Pope. Venice was threatened by some major blockades and was punished twice. The second, and more famous, occurred on April 27, 1509, in the Cambrai Union War ordered by Julius II.
The Ambassador of Venice sent the still-secret political report back to the local area, which, together with the rumours of the European Court, provided excellent information for modern historians.