Page "Genoa" Paragraph 19

Before 1100, Genoa emerged as an independent city-state, one of a number of Italian city-states during this period.

Nominally, the Holy Roman Emperor was overlord and the Bishop of Genoa was president of the city ; however, actual power was wielded by a number of " consuls " annually elected by popular assembly.

Genoa was one of the so-called " Maritime Republics " ( Repubbliche Marinare ), along with Venice, Pisa, and Amalfi and trade, shipbuilding and banking helped support one of the largest and most powerful navies in the Mediterranean.

The Adorno, Campofregoso, and other smaller merchant families all fought for power in this Republic, as the power of the consuls allowed each family faction to gain wealth and power in the city.

The Republic of Genoa extended over modern Liguria and Piedmont, Sardinia, Corsica, Nice and had practically complete control of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Through Genoese participation on the Crusades, colonies were established in the Middle East, in the Aegean, in Sicily and Northern Africa.

Genoese Crusaders brought home a green glass goblet from the Levant, which Genoese long regarded as the Holy Grail.

Not all of Genoa's merchandise was so innocuous, however, as medieval Genoa became a major player in the slave trade.