was partially relieved by the introduction at a later period
of the trade guilds. All the industrial elements were organized into
guilds, each one of which had its representation in the government.
This was of service to the people, but nothing could erase the blot of
despotism.

The despots were of different classes, according to the method by which
they obtained power. First, there were nobles, who were
representatives of the emperor, and governed parts of Lombardy while it
was under the federated government, a position which enabled them to
obtain power as captains of the people. Again, there were some who
held feudal rights over towns and by this means became rulers or
captains. There were others who, having been raised to office by the
popular vote, had in turn used the office as a means to enslave the
people and defeat the popular will. The popes, also, appointed their
nephews and friends to office and by this means obtained supremacy.
Merchant princes, who had become wealthy, used their money to obtain
and hold power. Finally, there were the famous _condottieri_, who
captured towns and made them principalities. Into the hands of such
classes as these the rights and privileges of the people were
continually falling, and the result was disastrous to free government.

{335}

_Government of Venice_.--Florence and Venice represent the two typical
towns of the group of Italian cities. Wealthy, populous, and
aggressive, they represent the greatest power, the highest intellectual
development, becoming cities of culture and learning. In 1494 the
inhabitants of Florence numbered 90,000, of whom only 3,200 were
burghers, or full citizens, while Venice had 100,000 inhabitants and
only 5,000 burghers. This shows what a low state popular government
had reached--only one inhabitant in twenty was allowed the rights of
citizens.

Venice was established on the islands and morasses of the Adriatic
Coast by a few remnants of the Beneti, who sought refuge upon them from
the ravages of the Huns. These people were early engaged in fishing,
and later began a coast trade which, in time, enlarged into an
extensive commerce. In early times it had a municipal constitution,
and the little villages had their own assemblies, discussed their own
affairs, and elected their own magistrates. Occasionally the
representatives of the several tribal villages met to discuss the
affairs of the whole city. This led to a central govern