The Greek Territories under Venetian Rule

The areas under Venetian rule underwent continuous change throughout the prolonged period of Venetian domination from 1204 to 1797. These changes were primarily driven by political factors, as Venice was frequently engaged in conflicts with various rivals, including the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, resulting in the acquisition and loss of territories. The regions that at various times belonged to its maritime state or fell within its sphere of influence extended across the islands of the Aegean Sea, Euboea, Crete, the coastal areas of the Peloponnese, the Ionian Islands, and the shores of the Gulf of Corinth and western Greece. This extensive region was fragmented not only geographically but also administratively, although it consistently remained under the direct or indirect control of the central metropolitan authority. Over the centuries, this distinctive framework was oriented toward serving the interests, particularly commercial and economic, of the Most Serene Republic. The way these territories were perceived by Venice itself, by its subjects both in the metropolis and in the colonies, and by earlier and contemporary scholars, Greek and Italian alike, constitutes a significant field of inquiry, offering valuable insights into prevailing mentalities and political ideology. Furthermore, the surviving archival material yields a wealth of information on the historical geography of the Venetian dominions, including their interconnections, the administrative organisation of each region, and the extensive network of cities, ports, and settlements they encompassed.