Located at the northernmost end of the Adriatic Sea lies the city of Venice.

Venice is truly unlike any other city in the world.

It's a collection of 118 small islands all connected by bridges and ferries.

Its unique geography allowed Venice to become one of the most powerful cities in the world

both militarily and economically.

Today it remains one of the world's greatest tourist destinations.

Learn more about Venice and it's rise and fall on this episode of everything everywhere daily. Unlike many cities in Italy which have their origins in ancient Rome, Venice does not.

The founding of Venice dates back to the year 421 when the Western Roman Empire was

starting to fall apart. Dramatic tribes and Huns from the steps began flowing

into the Italian peninsula. Roman citizens fleeing the invaders found shelter in a collection of islands located in a protected lagoon.

As the invaders weren't really seafaring people, the islands turned out to provide great protection.

The original inhabitants of the island primarily made their living from fishing and making salt.

As things kept falling apart around them, the people on the island unified for mutual protection.

The fact that the islands were not connected to the main... United side King, Emperor, Prince, or Duke. Well, at least not directly, as we'll see in a bit.

The first government of Venice was formed in 568,

which was more of a standing committee with representatives

from various islands. Venice, while autonomous, was still nominally under the rule of the Byzantine emperor out of Constantinople.

This rule was via the city of Ravenna, which was one of the last Byzantine outposts in Italy.

The beginning of the Republic of Venice, which the world would know for the next thousand years,

can be traced back to the year 697.

That was when the very first Doge of Venice was elected. The

Doge was the name of the leader of Venice and it was a unique form of leadership.

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