Venice (e-book) (used book) | Alethea Wiel | bookbook.eu

Description

1894. A volume from the Story of the Nations, a series of Historical Studies intended to present in graphic narratives the stories of the different nations that have attained prominence in history. In story form the current of each national life is distinctly indicated, and its picturesque and noteworthy periods and episodes are presented for the reader in their philosophical relations to each other as well as to universal history. Wiel divides the story of Venice into three periods: the first from 697 to 1172 comprises the dawn of the ducal power, of the councils and of the whole process of administration culminating in the formation of the Great Council. The second period is the period of Venice's increase of might, and the attainment of her greatest glory. It closes with the fall of Constantinople and the end of Foscari's dukedom, when a mistaken policy and ambition undermined the strength and power of the Republic by leading her from concentrating her energies on the sea, to enlarging her domains on the mainland. And the third period records the slow downward course of the story, brightened though with occasional flashes of the old spirit and greatness making themselves felt through the gloom of decay.