Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
History
A malarial swamp seems like a strange place to found an empire, unless you consider the
circumstances: from the 5th to 8th century AD, Huns, Goths and sundry barbarians re-
peatedly sacked Roman towns along the Veneto's Adriatic coast. In 726 the people of
Venice elected their first doge, whose successors would lead the city for more than 1000
years.
Next Venice shored up its business interests. The city accepted a Frankish commission of
84,000 silver marks to join the Crusades, even as it continued trading with Muslim leaders
from Syria to Spain. When the balance wasn't forthcoming from the Franks, Venice
claimed Constantinople 'for Christendom' - but sent ships loaded with booty home, instead
of onward to Jerusalem. After Venice was decimated by plague, Genoa tried to take over
