Italy and Sicily—
The Boot
that Doesn't Fit
1
Introduction

Sicily –


Italian Commerce – Economy


Rob
Italian City-States – Political
Structure


Prudence
Todd
Religion and Papal States

Rhonda
2
SICILY:
The Island You
Love to Invade…
3
Italian Commerce
and Economy

We hook you up with your spice!
4
- Geography 



Big Bad Mountains
 Alps
 Apennines
The Boot and its Water
Cities
 Venice
 Genoa
 Florence
 Rome
Rivers
 Tiber
 Po
 Arno
5
- VENICE 

The city with the largest trade
Trade with Constantinople
Formerly part of Byzantine Empire
 Gained trading privileges in 992 and
1082


Strong Navy
Ships instead of horses
 Assisted Crusader States

6
Map
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- Genoa & Florence 


Both in competition with Venice
Both traded goods throughout the
Mediterranean and Europe
Separated from Venice by mountains,
almost opposite from each other
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- Trade 
Value of the sea
Less expensive than land routes
 Able to travel longer distances
 Despite sea losses, still more cost
effective

 Pirates
 Shipwreck
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The Muslim Connection

Goods from Far East
Silk
 Spices
 Art
 Cultural Interchange


Increased Trade within Europe
Foodstuffs
 Fur
 Cloth
 Human passengers and slaves

10
Italian City-States
Political Structure

Background of Italian Cities
11
Holy Roman Empire


Frederick of Barbarossa
Papacy


Ghibellines versus Guelphs
“There were already divisions among the noble
citizens, and these parties already existed because
of the quarrels and disputes between church and
empire......citizens were divided into factions,
some siding with the Buondelmonti, leaders of the
Guelf party, and others with the Uberti, leaders of
the Ghibellines"--GIOVANNI VILLANI: FLORENTINE
CHRONICLE
12
City States

Governed by elected consuls



Hold office for short duration
Center of power is in urban unit
Surrounding area is subject to the
urban government (Contado)
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Contado

Surrounding area controlled by
government
14
Venice


No contado
Government stability
15
Turmoil


Upheavals
Popolo
16
17
Decline of
Communal Government




Tyrants
Signori – hereditary
Establish dictatorship
Lacking roots in community
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Summary


Unmatched extent of urbanization
City was fundamental unit which
determined the nature of government
and society
19
Religion
and the Papal States

4th Century endowments
Sicily, Sardinia, Ravenna,
Naples, Pentapolis (Rimini,
Ancona, Fano, Pesaro,
Senigallia)
 Patrimony of Saint Peter
 Tuscany
 Avignon

20
map
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The Pope



Vassal to the emperor
Priest, statesman
Politics
22
Pope
Gregory VII
23
Pope Innocent III
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Papal Power






Excommunication
Crown Kings
Depose Kings
Secular as well as spiritual
ruler
Command armies
Collect taxes
25
13th Century Papacy


Conflict with Holy Roman
Emperors
Independence of Papal States
26
The End!
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