Download What is a city-state?

What is a city-state? A city-state is a region that is independently
ruled by a major city. Italy wasn't one unified country, but a number
of small independent city-states.
Who were the aristocrats or “Urban Noble”? In Medieval Europe,
Nobles got their wealth from land, not trade. In fact, they looked
down on trade and believed themselves to be above the town
merchants. In the Italian city-states, old noble families moved to the
cities mixing with wealthy merchants and decided that money from
trade was just as good as money from land. These new “Urban
Nobles” became known as aristocrats. Aristocrats copied the
manners and lifestyle of noble families. Soon, the sons and
daughters of the “old nobles” and aristocrats married and eventually
they blended together to become the upper class (special people) of
the city-states.
How Were Italian City-States Run?At first, many of the city-states
were republics, or representative democracies, controlled by its
citizens. Not everyone was a citizen, however, only the artisans and
merchants who had membership in the city’s guilds were citizens.
Some of these cities were run by elected leaders. In Venice, the head
of government was the duke, or doge (DOHj). Others, such as
Florence, were controlled by the powerful families, like the Medici
family.
Were there “issues” in the City-States? Politics on the Italian
Peninsula was “complicated”. Within each city, the rulers had to
keep the poor from rebelling and prevent wealthy people from
seizing power. They had to make deals with merchants, bankers,
landlords, church leaders, and mercenaries (people hired for
military purposes). Fighting often broke out between city-states.
Italians used diplomacy, or the art of negotiating, or making deals,
with other countries. Each city-state sent ambassadors to live in other
city-states and act as representatives for their city.
Why were City-States important? The wealth of the Italian citystate played an important role in the Renaissance. They all had access
to trade routes connecting Europe with Asian markets. Also, they
serve as trading centers for distribution of goods to northern
Europe. This wealth allowed prominent families to become Patrons,
people who support artists, scientists, and philosophers spurring on
new ideas and artistic movements.
Florence: Florence, the “city of flowers,” is where the Renaissance
first began. Located in the hill country of north-central Italy,
Florence prospered because of the wool industry. Sheep were raised
in the rock hill country of central Italy, and Florence was a center of
wool processing. A university was built by 1349 AD. During most of
the Renaissance, wealthy merchants dominated Florence. It was the
first city-state to gain great wealth It was ruled by the powerful
Medici Family who used their money to support artists such as
Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. One of the early architectural
achievements of the Renaissance was the massive dome on the
Florence Cathedral. Florence was known for its textile production as
well as a banking center.
Milan: In the early 1400s, the duchy (ruled by a duke) of Milan was
still a Middle Ages city focused on war and conquering Florence.
However, the Sforza family took over in 1450. They brought peace
to the region and with peace came the new ideas and art of the
Renaissance. It was one of the richest cities controlling trade
through the Alps on the northern Italian Peninsula. Milan was
famous for its metalwork which included suits of armor.
Venice: Venice was founded in the 400s AD, by people fleeing from
Barbarians. They settled on a group of islands on the northeastern
edge of the Italian peninsula. Shipbuilding was the primary industry
in Venice. During the Crusades, Venetian ships provided
transportation to the Holy Land. By the 13th century, Venice was
the most prosperous city in Europe. The city became rich by
collecting taxes on all merchandise brought into its harbor,
especially spices and silk. Venice built huge warships that protected
the valuable cargo of its merchant ships from pirate raids. With the
vast wealth from trade, many of the leading families of Venice vied
with one another to build the finest palaces or support the work of
the greatest artists. However, when the Ottoman Empire conquered
Constantinople, Venice's trade empire began to shrink. Venice
controlled the seas around the east coast of Italy and was famous for
its artistic glassware.
Rome: The pope ruled both the Catholic Church and the city-state of
Rome, known as the Papal States. A university was built by 1303 AD.
Much of the city of Rome was re-built under the leadership of
Nicholas V beginning in 1447. Popes became patrons of the arts and
supported the Renaissance through commissions to artists such as
Raphael and Michelangelo. Michelangelo worked as architect on St.
Peter's Basilica and painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Naples: The city-state of Naples ruled much of southern Italy at the
time of the Renaissance, in the city-state known as the Kingdom of
the Two Sicilies. It was one of the last city-states to embrace the
movement, but in 1443 King Alfonso I conquered the city. He
supported Renaissance artists, writers, and philosophers. Naples
also became known for its music and is where the mandolin was
invented. Also, it had a university by 1224 AD. Naples was captured
by Spain in 1504.
Genoa: Genoa, located on the western coast of Italy, controlled trade
routes in the western Mediterranean Sea. Trade, shipbuilding and
banking helped support one of the largest and most powerful navies
in the Mediterranean. After the Black Death hit Genoa, the
government became like Venice, adopting a Doge. The Bank of Saint
George, founded in 1407, is among the oldest in the world and has
played an important role in the city’s prosperity since the middle of
the 15th century.[
Ferrara: Located between Venice and the Papal States, Ferrara was
ruled by the powerful d'Este family. They achieved wealth and
influence through alliances, or partnerships with France and Spain
and going against the Pope. Alfonsod’Este, Duke of Ferrara, created
a truly magnificent place, attracting famous writers (Ariosto), poets
(Petrarch) and painters (Bellini & Titian). The Duke's art collection
was to become famous. The city-state of Ferrara was also known for
its music and theater.
Urbino: Before coming under control of the Papal States, the duchy
(ruled by a duke) of Urbino prospered under the rule of,Federico da
Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino from 1444 to 1482. It hosts the University
of Urbino, founded in 1506, and is the seat of the Archbishop of Urbino.
The City-State of Urbino was known for its library as well as its
beautiful ceramics.
1. Compare and Contrast Ancient Greece/Rome with the
Renaissance….focus paragraphs 1-5 for assistance.
2. Compare and Contrast the Middle Ages with the
Renaissance…..focus on paragraphs 2-4 for assistance.
3. How did the city-states and the people living in them impact
the Renaissance?
4. Which city-state(s) seem to be the most powerful? Why?
Which city-state(s) would you most like to be a part of?
Why?