13102

Venedig in der Frühen Neuzeit: Politik, Gesellschaft und Lagune

Luc Wodzicki

Information for students

: Italienischkenntnisse sind vorteilhaft; ein Leseverständnis des akademischen Englisch ist für die Teilnahme am Seminar Voraussetzung!

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This seminar introduces the history of Venice during the Early Modern period, focusing on the city's relationship with its lagoon—a unique landscape that served not only as a protective barrier but also as a space for economic activity, social interaction, and the exercise of power. The lagoon shaped the Republic’s identity through the “Myth of Venice” and influenced its urban infrastructure of islands and canals. Measures such as controlling waterways, preventing sedimentation, and constructing fortifications illustrate the close interconnection between the environment and politics in Venice’s history. The seminar explores the political structures of the maritime republic, from the Doge and numerous councils to key actors such as the Savi all'eresia (Inquisition), religious confraternities (scuole), and merchants from diverse regions. It also addresses the geopolitical challenges of the Early Modern period, including competition in the Mediterranean and the rise of transatlantic trade routes. Special attention is given to the interplay between urban society and the lagoon as a social and ecological space. How did the water landscape shape daily life, economic practices, and the symbolic dimensions of power? By engaging with primary sources (often in English translation) and integrating current research approaches, the seminar aims to develop a deeper understanding of Venetian history. close