Marco Polo was not a European.
The Republic of Venice -LRB- Republica Veneta Repubblica di Venezia -RRB- , traditionally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice -LRB- Serenisima Republica Veneta. Venice. Venice. Serenissima Repubblica di Venezia -RRB- , was a sovereign state and maritime republic in northeastern Italy , which existed for a millennium between the 8th century and the 18th century .. #inforefa. sovereign state. sovereign state. maritime republic. Maritime republics. northeastern. Northern Italy. Italy. Italy. It was based in the lagoon communities of the historically prosperous city of Venice , and was a leading European economic and trading power during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance .. Middle Ages. Middle Ages. Venice. Venice. #inforefa. economic and trading power. Economic history of Venice. Renaissance. Renaissance. The Venetian city state was founded as a safe haven for the people escaping persecution in mainland Europe after the decline of the Roman Empire .. Venetian. Venetian language. #inforefa. city state. city state. In its early years , it prospered on the salt trade .. In subsequent centuries , the city state established a thalassocracy .. #inforefa. city state. city state. thalassocracy. thalassocracy. It dominated trade on the Mediterranean Sea , including commerce between Europe and North Africa , as well as Asia .. Mediterranean Sea. Mediterranean Sea. The Venetian navy was used in the Crusades .. Venetian. Venetian language. navy. navy. Venice achieved territorial conquests along the Adriatic Sea .. Venice. Venice. Adriatic Sea. Adriatic Sea. The city became home to an extremely wealthy merchant class , who patronized renowned art and architecture along the city 's lagoons .. Venetian merchants were influential financiers in Europe .. Venetian. Venetian language. The city was also the birthplace of great European explorers , especially Marco Polo , as well as the classical music composer Vivaldi .. Marco Polo. Marco Polo. Vivaldi. Vivaldi. The republic was ruled by the Doge , who was elected by members of the Great Council of Venice , the city-state 's parliament .. Venice. Venice. Doge. Doge of Venice. Great Council. Great Council of Venice. Great Council of Venice. Great Council of Venice. The ruling class was an oligarchy of merchants and aristocrats .. oligarchy. oligarchy. Venice and other Italian maritime republics played a key role in fostering capitalism .. Italian. Italian language. Venice. Venice. #inforefa. Venetian citizens generally supported the system of governance .. Venetian. Venetian language. The city-state enforced strict laws and employed ruthless tactics in its prisons .. The opening of new trade routes to the Americas and the East Indies via the Atlantic Ocean marked the beginning of Venice 's decline as a powerful maritime republic .. Venice. Venice. #inforefa. maritime republic. Maritime republics. The city state suffered defeats from the navy of the Ottoman Empire .. city state. city state. navy. navy. Ottoman Empire. Ottoman Empire. In 1797 , the republic was plundered by retreating Austrian and then French forces , following an invasion by Napoleon Bonaparte .. Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon Bonaparte. Venice then became a part of a unified Italy in the 19th century .. Venice. Venice. #inforefa. Italy. Italy