Venice was one of the two Italian cities that monopolized trade with the far east. Trade with the far east was vital to its fortunes and power. Venice traded with the Byzantine Empire and the Moslem world extensively and became powerful as a result of trade
One of the two Italian cities that monopolized trade with the far East was Venice.
Venetian merchants established links that reached as far as the Mongol Empire and Persia, spanning many branches of the historic Silk Roads. Goods like salt and grain to porcelain and pearl were exchanged in the markets of Venice. Similarly, gems, mineral dyes, spices, silks, cottons and brocades from Egypt, Asia Minor and the Far East all passed through the ports of Venice. These were taken by Venetian merchants to Europe, where they were becoming highly desirable and valuable items.
