Commerce
Venice was a major trading hub.
Venice was a major trading hub.
- Salt, wool, linen, velvet, amber, coral, fine cloth and slaves were exported to Egypt, Anatolia and Persia. Silk, spices, carpets, ceramics, pearls, and precious metals were imported from the East.
- Trade with Muslim states was crucial to Venice's economy; it produced around half of their revenue.
- Christian pilgrims also played a huge role in Venice's economy.
- Bridge between trade in the East and West.
- Glass was made from sand on Venice's beaches. There was a high demand for Venetian glass in other regions. The glass making industry is concentrated on the Island of Murano.
Culture and Society
- As in many societies of the time, women and men did not have equal roles in Venice. Women primarily worked within the household while men played a more active role in society. There was segregation even within houses, where women were not allowed in some rooms of the house. A woman's place in society was determined by her class. Patrician women were wives of noblemen who cared for the children and the home while Courtesans were peasants and prostitutes.
- The Italian language adopted many Arabic words, which shows the mixing of cultures.
- Gondolas appeared as a mode of transportation in Venice around 1100 C.E. They were used to travel the canals of Venice.
Location on Post-Classical Trade Routes
- Traded with Egypt, Anatolia and Persia.
- Venice is located on the coast with many canals and access to the sea. Because of this, most of their trade is maritime trade, with very little trading over land.
- Trade with Muslims was important to Venice's economy.
- Venice was the link between the East and the West, and it was a central hub in world trade.
Religious Influences
- Population is mostly orthodox Roman Catholics, but Venice was tolerant of and even welcomed Islamic culture, which gave Venice a bad reputation with the Pope. Trade with Muslims produced a large chunk of Venice's economic revenue, so it was important to remain on good terms with them.
- Venice was more tolerant than much of the world at the time. No religion was persecuted in Venice, and Jews, Muslims and any other religious followers were welcomed.
- Venice features many cathedrals and churches, the most popular of which is St. Mark's Basilica, a beautiful Roman Catholic cathedral that displays the mixture of Italian and Byzantine/ Muslim architecture.
Reasons for Growth
- Venice became a major power after the Fourth Crusade.
- Venice's location played a major part in its growth. It is located on the coast of Italy, a perfect spot for maritime trade. It is also in close proximity to other powers to trade with, but its location makes it easy to defend.
- The main reason for Venice's growth is its advanced trading network.
- Many historians believe that without Muslim trade, Venice would not have existed. It would have remained a small fishing village that would have had little impact on the ancient world.
Innovations
- Today, whenever someone thinks of Venice, the gondola usually comes to mind.
- The gondola was created in Venice to navigate the narrow canals of the city.
- The style and number of rowers changed over time.
- Gondolas were the most common means of transportation in Venice for centuries. They were handmade using eight different kinds of wood.
- Women could not be gondoliers. The first female gondolier was
Giorgia Boscolo, who became a gondolier in August 2010.
Citations
Covington , Richard. "East Meets West in Venice." Saudi Aramco World. March/April 2008: 2-13. Web. 14 Oct. 2013. <http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/200802/east.meets.west.in.venice.htm>
"Trade." Venice. N.p.. Web. 14 Oct 2013. <http://venice.umwblogs.org/exhibit/early-modern-venetian-clothing/trade/>.
Powers, O.M.. "Commerce of Venice." Chest of Books. N.p.. Web. 14 Oct 2013. <http://chestofbooks.com/finance/economics/Commerce-and-Finance/Commerce-of-Venice.html>.
"The Venetian Republic." The World Economy. N.p.. Web. 14 Oct 2013. <http://www.theworldeconomy.org/impact/The_Venetian_Republic.html>.
"Gondolas." Gondola Romantica. N.p.. Web. 14 Oct 2013. <https://www.gondolaromantica.com/gondolas.phprg/impact/The_Venetian_Republic.html>.
Covington , Richard. "East Meets West in Venice." Saudi Aramco World. March/April 2008: 2-13. Web. 14 Oct. 2013. <http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/200802/east.meets.west.in.venice.htm>
"Trade." Venice. N.p.. Web. 14 Oct 2013. <http://venice.umwblogs.org/exhibit/early-modern-venetian-clothing/trade/>.
Powers, O.M.. "Commerce of Venice." Chest of Books. N.p.. Web. 14 Oct 2013. <http://chestofbooks.com/finance/economics/Commerce-and-Finance/Commerce-of-Venice.html>.
"The Venetian Republic." The World Economy. N.p.. Web. 14 Oct 2013. <http://www.theworldeconomy.org/impact/The_Venetian_Republic.html>.
"Gondolas." Gondola Romantica. N.p.. Web. 14 Oct 2013. <https://www.gondolaromantica.com/gondolas.phprg/impact/The_Venetian_Republic.html>.