Frederick Lane, an authoritative American researcher, devoted his work to the history of Venice from its very foundation in the 6th century. This is the story of the rise and fall of one of the first European empires - unique in its kind due to its special location. Navigation, naval wars, government, trade, finance, economics, religion, arts and crafts - this is an incomplete list of topics that the author examines, presenting the reader with an image of the brilliant Venetian Republic. He is also interested in the daily life of the Venetians, politics, demography and much more, including myths, legends and folk tales, which greatly enliven a dry list of facts and dates.