Crusading Ventures

Venice established the commercial and cultural connections that made it a worldcity during the three centuries following the first millennium. The remarkablecourse of maritime expansion began with the establishment of trade agreementswith Constantinople, under the leadership of Doge Pietro Orseolo II(991–1008). Throughout the eleventh century Venice cultivated thislucrative alliance, lending critical assistance to the Byzantine emperor in 1082in his struggle against Norman marauders. Venetian loyalties were in turn richlyrewarded with permission to traffic the waters of the eastern Mediterranean.

The renowned Crusades soon followed, creating a series of opportunities forfurther gain between 1099 and 1204. When the pope galvanized Europe’s restlesswarriors and pilgrims to reconquer the Holy Land in 1095, Venice became both apilgrim stop and a point of departure on the way to adventure. The Crusadingmovement inaugurated the Venetian tourist industry , for the wayfarers requiredvictuals and lodgings during their stopovers. At the same time, Venetian galleysof ered crusaders passage at sea, another lucrative business opportunity. Onthese expeditions merchants opened up new trade routes in the southern andeastern basins of the Mediterranean. Applying their maritime technology, navalstrength, and business acumen, the leading families made Venice a Mediterraneanpower on equal footing with its former Byzantine rulers.