Compagna Communis
Compagna Communis is the name of the territorial organization of the medieval Genoa .
history
| The "Compagne" |
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There were seven historical companies: In the civitas zone :
In the castrum zone :
In the borgo zone An eighth has been added to these first seven, located between Borgo and Sosiglia:
So there were four Compagne within the then existing wall and four more outside this wall. |
In 958 , a diploma issued by King Berengar II granted the community full legal freedom and guaranteed possession of their land in the form of manorial lords.
With this measure began a process that was to lead to the establishment of a free commune at the end of the 11th century .
In 1097 , Bishop Arialdo, who was the most important ruler, d. H. the Visconti (or imperial feudal lords) and the eight Compagne Rionali (old division of the city districts), brought together an association of all citizens, the Compagna Communis.
The local organization had a political and social significance for centuries, so that in 1382 the members of the Grand Council were divided according to both their society and the political faction ("noble" or "people").
In 1099 Genoa was ruled by consuls, political figures endowed with all three powers and chosen from among the important families. Here began the political conflict with those who were excluded from the election. It was a peaceful time, but the rivalry between the two dominant families resulted in an arms race between the Maneciano and Carmandino families. The former, who were in power from 1099 to 1122, took possession of the trading privileges in the eastern Mediterranean and destroyed the competitive equilibrium that had been created with the Carmandino, who were in power from 1123 to 1149. This weakens Genoa economically, especially compared to Pisa.
In 1060 began Genoa officially the battle with Pisa , which will take about two centuries to complete, along with the various Crusades and the founding of the colonies. The spark of conflict was fueled by the possession of Corsica , and later Sardinia .
The consulate: the true republic was born
The establishment of the Compagna Communis, d. H. of the municipality is considered to be the beginning of the actual republic. it was ruled by a variable number of consuls elected by a parliament made up of all male citizens between the ages of 16 and 70, real citizens who, in the event of war, had to provide their own equipment, with the exception of military campaigns in distant lands like the crusades or on the open sea. They gathered in Genoa Cathedral to hold the vote. The winner took office on February 2nd.
The former consuls and famous citizens formed the consilium (i.e. the Senate), which had the right to veto consular decisions, much like they did in ancient Rome (they used white or black pebbles for voting).
Within the consilium there was the Faith Council, which consisted of the silenziari who voted on issues to be kept secret, as a gift to the Holy See for its support. (The trigger was probably the receipt of Koriska from Pisa, which the Pope spiritually handed over to Genoa in 1123 , which led to the first war against Pisa).
The archbishop only exercised a representative function, but was in any case informed of any strategy implemented by the council.
After the first crusade , the political order was changed several times: first, the Console dei Placiti were separated from those of the municipality, their number changed and their term of office reduced from 4 years to just one year.
The financial management was also separated and entrusted to the clavigeri , eight magistrates who held the keys to the treasury. The duties of the consuls included command of the fleets, the army and the convening of parliament. However, only the consilium could order the call to arms.
The placiti, more precisely the judges, exercised the judiciary according to three legislative elements: the custom, the mandate and the law, i. H. the Roman-Byzantine norms of common life (the civil code), specific legal arguments (with a view to new judgments, just like today), and criminal and security issues.
Worth mentioning is the role of the Cintraco or the town crier, who could summon citizens and carry out public judgments, including scourging, and warn citizens to be vigilant against fires.
credentials
- ^ Edoardo Mazzino, Teofilo Ossian De Negri, Leonard Von Matt: Il Centro storico di Genova . Stringa editore, 1978, p. 13 (Italian).
- ↑ Cesare Cattaneo Mallone di Novi: I Politici del medioevo Genovese . Genoa 1987, p. 184-193 (Italian).
Web links
- Pagina dell'associazione "A compagna" ( Italian )