Venice History of the Floating City [Paperback]

Recounting Venice's unique history from its foundation, this book analyses the city's social, cultural, religious and environmental history, and its politics and economy.Following Venice's unique history from its foundation, this book analyzes the city's social, cultural, religious, and environmental history, as well as its politics and economy. Joanne M. Ferraro illuminates how Venice's position at the crossroads of Asian, European, and North African exchange networks made it a vibrant and ethnically diverse Mediterranean cultural center.Following Venice's unique history from its foundation, this book analyzes the city's social, cultural, religious, and environmental history, as well as its politics and economy. Joanne M. Ferraro illuminates how Venice's position at the crossroads of Asian, European, and North African exchange networks made it a vibrant and ethnically diverse Mediterranean cultural center.This book is a sweeping historical portrait of the floating city of Venice from its foundations to the present day. Joanne M. Ferraro considers Venice's unique construction within an amphibious environment and identifies the Asian, European, and North African exchange networks that made it a vibrant and ethnically diverse Mediterranean cultural center. Incorporating recent scholarly insights, the author discusses key themes related to the city's social, cultural, religious, and environmental history, as well as its politics and economy. A refuge and a pilgrim stop; an international emporium and center of manufacture; a mecca of spectacle, theater, music, gambling, and sexual experimentation; and an artistic and architectural marvel, Venice's allure springs eternal in every phase of the city's fascinating history.Preface; Chronology of historical events; Chronology of architecture, art, literature, and music; 1. Reconstructing the floating city; 2. The riches of Asia, Europe, and North Africa; 3. A pride of lions; 4. Identities and modes of socialization; 5. Matl£"