Life in 16th Century Venice

In the 16th century, most of the good from the Orient passed through the eastern Mediterranean on their way to Europe. The eastern Mediterranean was dominated by the city-state of Venice.

In 1500, Venice, with a population of 120,000, was a wealthy seaport and an important colonial power.

Its position on the Adriatic enabled it to trade with both Christians and Muslims.

Venice was ruled by merchants and life centered on trade and on pleasing customers. These included wealthy citizens with lavish palaces with Venetian glass ornaments, as well as pilgrims purchasing trinkets on their way to the Holy Land.

Muslims, Jews and Christians traded with one another.

Venice had a large navy. In 1581, it included 146 galleys. The Arsenal, or state dockyard, was the center of naval activity. The Arsenal employed up to 3000 people, and was Europe's largest single industrial enterprise.

Slavery

The slaves of Venice were mostly from North Africa. Some slaves were oarsmen in galleys, while others were household servants.

Slaves were only allowed if they were manacled together, in pairs. They were always guarded when they were outside.

Slaves' food was closely rationed. Slaves in Venice were given bean soup every day. In 1552 in Genoa, where slaves were treated similarly, slaves were fed one biscuit a day, soup twice a month and meat twice a year.