Western Civilization I / Unit 13 WC1 1206 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Popoli Grossi: Honor, Vendetta, and a Taste for Peace
Captions available
The idea
Feudalism was weak in Italy; by twelve hundred most cities were independent. Power sat with the popoli grossi, the fat people, about five percent: rich, noble or not, given to flattery, backstabbing and vendetta, yet needing peace for commerce.
In practice
No police, private mercenaries; Cosimo with book and sword.
Where people slip
The central irony: most Italians gained little.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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