Founded by refugees fleeing the forces of the Lombards, Venice rose quickly to prominance. As if fulfilling some manifest destiny the city state conquered forty percent of the old Roman Empire and became a major force in European and World politics. During the Sixteenth Century Venice was the third largest city in the world, following the Aztec city of Technochtitlan and the largest city, Constantinople.

Hubris struck the city and a series of vain and foolish rulers led the city into its decline losing significant tracts of their territory on mainland Europe. Soon after the Ottoman Turks began to eat into their territories to the East. With a strong identity the city survived these failiures and humbled but intact continue to be an economic force in the world.

Still the hub of travel between Europe and the East, Venice is as active politically as it has ever been by 1649 and the major powers of Europe as well as those from the East have agents and ambassadors active in the city ...