Genoa And The Genoese, 958-1528 Review
The medieval phrase "Genoese therefore a merchant" summarizes the city's commercial focus and its role in pioneering modern capitalism, including ship financing, risk management, and the early use of holding shares in overseas ventures.
Despite their prosperity, the Genoese struggled with internal strife, frequently changing governments and, in times of crisis, handing power over to foreign rulers.
Genoa and the Genoese, 958–1528 by Steven A. Epstein is a comprehensive, scholarly history tracing the city’s rise from an obscure port to a dominant, yet chaotic, Mediterranean naval power. Epstein analyzes six centuries of Genoa's development by blending economic trends, political conflict, and social history. Genoa and the Genoese, 958-1528
The book is considered a "must-read" for understanding medieval Italian city-states and filling a significant gap in English-language literature regarding Genoa's history. If you'd like to dive deeper, I can provide:
The book maps how Genoa became a thriving republic with an extensive, far-flung overseas empire. Epstein is a comprehensive, scholarly history tracing the
The 15th-century establishment of the Casa di San Giorgio is highlighted as a major landmark in European fiscal history, serving as a bank that held the public debt of the republic.
Intense fighting between noble families often dictated the political and economic landscape. If you'd like to dive deeper, I can
More details on or time periods (e.g., 1204–1257). Specific examples of the economic tools they used. More information on the role of slavery in their economy. Genoa and the Genoese, 958-1528 - UNC Press