Republic of Siena

Origins

Siena's citizens took power from their bishop in the early 12th century, and consuls are recorded by 1125. Lying on the Via Francigena pilgrim road, the commune prospered from banking and trade and expanded its territory across southern Tuscany.

Rule and society

Siena was generally Ghibelline and crushed Florence at Montaperti in 1260 under leaders such as Provenzan Salvani. From 1287 to 1355 the merchant government of the Nine built the Palazzo Pubblico, where Ambrogio Lorenzetti painted his Allegory of Good and Bad Government in 1338–1339. Duccio and Simone Martini made the city a centre of painting. The Black Death of 1348 halted its growth; the Monte dei Paschi bank dates from 1472.

Decline and legacy

After a period of rule by Pandolfo Petrucci, Siena rebelled against a Spanish garrison in 1552. Imperial and Florentine troops besieged it until it surrendered in April 1555. Exiles continued as the Republic of Siena at Montalcino, and Siena was granted to the Duchy of Florence in 1557.