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==== The Fall of Constantinople: Venice and Genoa====

The Fall of Constantinople had a profound impact on two of the most prominent Italian city-states, Venice and Genoa, both of whom were great trading and maritime powers. The Fall of Constantinople led to the collapse of Genoese influence in the Eastern Mediterranean and the loss of the city’s key ally. The loss of the Constantinople trade led to a decline in the economic fortunes of the city. Indeed, the city went into rapid decline and it was regularly in a state of near-anarchy as rival noble families battled for control in the states. So dire was the situation that by the early 16th century, under its Doge, it voluntarily submitted to the Spanish monarchy, in order to revive its economy and end the endemic violence in the city. Venice had arguably played a critical role in the decline of Byzantium when it diverted the Fourth Crusade to attack the Empire. It benefitted enormously from the capture of Byzantium by the Fourth Crusade and allowed it to develop a maritime Empire out of former Byzantine possessions. <ref>Pullan, Brian S., History of Early Renaissance Italy (London: Lane, 1973), p. 117</ref>