Republic of Ancona
The Republic of Ancona was a medieval commune and maritime republic notable for its economic development and maritime trade, particularly with the Byzantine Empire and Eastern Mediterranean, although somewhat confined by Venetian supremacy on the sea. It enjoyed excellent relations with the Kingdom of Hungary, was an ally of the Republic of Ragusa, and maintained good relations with the Turks. All these relationships enabled it to serve as central Italy's gateway to the Orient.
Republic of Ancona | |||||||||
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| c. 1000 (1198)–1532 | |||||||||
Flag
(1174–1532) Coat of arms
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| Motto: Ancon dorica civitas fidei (Dorian Ancona, city of faith) | |||||||||
Republic of Ancona in the 15th century – borders and castles | |||||||||
| Status | de facto independence, autonomous republic under high papal sovereignty | ||||||||
| Capital | Ancona | ||||||||
| Common languages | Latin, Marchigiano dialect | ||||||||
| Religion | Roman Catholicism, Judaism | ||||||||
| Government | oligarchic republic with popular representation | ||||||||
| Historical era | Middle Ages, Renaissance | ||||||||
• gradual acquisition of autonomy | c. 1000 (1198) | ||||||||
• Coup d'état by pope Clement VII | 1532 | ||||||||
| Currency | Agontano | ||||||||
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| Today part of | Italy | ||||||||
Included in the Papal States since 774, Ancona came under the influence of the Holy Roman Empire around 1000, but gradually gained independence to become fully independent with the coming of the communes in the 11th century, under the high jurisdiction of the papal state. Its motto was Ancon dorica civitas fidei ('Dorian Ancona, city of faith'), referencing the Greek foundation of the city.
Ancona was an oligarchic republic ruled by six Elders, elected by the three terzieri into which the city was divided: S. Pietro, Porto and Capodimonte. It had a series of maritime laws known as Statuti del mare e del Terzenale ('Statutes of the sea and of the arsenal') and Statuti della Dogana ('Statutes of the Customs').