By Thomas F. Madden
ISBN: 978-0-14-750980-2
First published 2012
427 pages
Publisher: Penguin.org
Cover photograph: Josef Hoflechner
5/5 Stars
A super history of a once great city-state. Madden reveals how Venice was formed by refugees of the fallen Western Roman Empire, and was nurtured for most of its long life by the Eastern Roman Empire.
The Eastern Roman Empire was a source of wealth, art, culture and trade. Although practicing the Catholic and not the Orthodox religion, Venice nevertheless looked to Constantinople for political guidance. The capture and imprisonment of thousands of Venetians in 1170 was considered a disaster for Venice.
Throughout its history, good governance was the practiced, the security of merchants plying their trade demanded it. Venice had no political prisoners – even when Napoleon demanded their released – they had none.
The stability of the ‘Most Splendid and Serene’ Republic was the envy of many states. For approximately 1000 years it was the only republic in existence.
Below is an illustration of the Venetian Lagoon and the island itself. Clustered around the Rialto, the Ventians consciously made the decision to move to the center of the lagoon and build upon the shallow waters. previous constructions had been on the Lido or Torcello. The location of Venice offered further protection from invaders along the Lido and Malamocco.
The Empire of Venice is illustrated below – as much of an accidental empire as that of Britain, another great trading empire.
Earning a well deserved 5 stars the book also details the history of Venetian art, Venetian architecture and Venetian culture including modern-day literature.
The Venetians have a saying, “Sempre crolla, ma non cade“, or, ‘it is always crumbling but never falls‘. Long may it be that way!
The Eclectic Book Review 