Republic of Siena

Republic of Siena
*Repubblica di Siena* (Italian)
*Respublica Senensis* (Latin)
Republic of Siena Repubblica di Siena (Italian); Respublica Senensis (Latin)
1125–1555
	Flag (c. 1246) Coat of arms
	Motto: Libertas (Latin) Freedom
	Italy, including the Republic of Siena (in dark orange), at the close of the 15th century
Status	Republic ruled by city's governing body; (1125–1399; 1404–1487; 1525–1548); Visconti's rule; (1399–1404); Signoria; (1487–1525); Capitano del popolo; (1552–1554);
Capital	Siena
Common languages	Italian; Tuscan; Latin;
Religion	Roman Catholicism
Government	Oligarchic classical republic
• 1125–1399	Constitutional republic
• 1487–1512	Pandolfo Petrucci; (first signore)
History
• Deposition of the bishop who ruled the city	1125
• Creation of the Governo dei Nove	1287
• Battle of San Romano	1432
• Battle of Marciano	1554
• Disestablished	1555
Population
• Estimate	50,000–70,000 (Siena only) in the 14th century
Currency	Senese d'oro, Quattrino
Preceded by	Succeeded by
	bishop of Siena (within Tuscany)
	March of Tuscany
	Republic of Massa
Duchy of Florence
State of the Presidi
Today part of	Italy

The Republic of Siena (Italian: Repubblica di Siena, Latin: Respublica Senensis) was a historic state consisting of the city of Siena and its surrounding territory in Tuscany, central Italy. It existed for over 400 years, from 1125 to 1555. During its existence, it gradually expanded throughout southern Tuscany becoming one of the major economic powers of the Middle Ages, and one of the most important commercial, financial and artistic centers in Europe.^[2]

From 1287 to 1355, during the rule of the Noveschi, the Republic experienced a period of great political and economic splendor: new buildings were commissioned, including that of the Cathedral of Siena, the Palazzo Pubblico, and a substantial part of the city walls completed. This government is in fact defined by historians as the "good governance".^[3]^[4]

A combination of economic decline, sparked by the Black Death, and political instability led to its absorption by the rival Duchy of Florence during the Italian War of 1551–1559. Despite resisting for 18 months, it surrendered on 21 April 1555, marking the end of the republic.^[5]

^ Hayton, Heather Richardson (2021). A Companion to Late Medieval and Early Modern Siena. BRILL. p. 352. ISBN 9789004444829.
^ Ascheri, Mario. Storia di Siena dalle origini ai giorni nostri (in Italian). Biblioteca dell'Immagine.
^ "Siena nell'Enciclopedia Treccani". www.treccani.it (in Italian). Retrieved 2021-11-09.
^ M. Bowsky, William (1986). Un comune italiano nel Medioevo. Siena sotto il regime dei Nove (1287-1355) (in Italian). Il Mulino. ISBN 8815012214.
^ Hook 1973.

[1] Hayton, Heather Richardson (2021). A Companion to Late Medieval and Early Modern Siena. BRILL. p. 352. ISBN 9789004444829.

[2] Ascheri, Mario. Storia di Siena dalle origini ai giorni nostri (in Italian). Biblioteca dell'Immagine.

[3] "Siena nell'Enciclopedia Treccani". www.treccani.it (in Italian). Retrieved 2021-11-09.

[4] M. Bowsky, William (1986). Un comune italiano nel Medioevo. Siena sotto il regime dei Nove (1287-1355) (in Italian). Il Mulino. ISBN 8815012214.

[FOOTNOTEHook1973-5] Hook 1973.

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