Post-Roman Decadence

After the Western Roman Empire’s fall, the glorious cities of Italy that were once bustling centres of culture, politics, and commerce fell into decline. Unlike the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium), which continued to thrive, the West saw its cities crumble, and an absence of a strong central authority made Italy prone to invasions and political fragmentation.

Trade And Commerce

The re-emergence of Italy began with its geographical advantage. Situated between the East and West, Italian port cities became hubs for trade between the Byzantine Empire, the Islamic world, and later, the Mongol-controlled areas and Western Europe. Trade brought wealth, and wealth brought the need for administration, law, and governance.

Independent City-States

Unlike the monolithic empires of the past, these Italian cities started identifying themselves as independent entities, or ‘city-states’Florence and Venice are two classic examples. Their governance structures differed, with some like Florence and Venice being republics, while others were ruled by princely courts.