observer Posted September 18, 2011 Report Share Posted September 18, 2011 Venice was one of the richest City States in the middle ages - indeed, so wealthy, that it's currency (the Ducat) was used as the European standard (eat yer heart out Euro!). Like a sort of "water-world", the City was built on timber piles sunk into the bed of a lagoon (even the Doge's Palace). It had an island reserved for immediate isolation of suspected plague victims and another for the quarantine of all foreigners entering the city - thus remaining relatively plague free in an era of plagues. A draconian tax system, even the taxing of brothels (an estimated 10% of the population worked in the sex trade); allowed them to build a naval and trading fleet without rival in the Mediteranean for hundreds of years. Seem history can teach lessons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter T Posted September 18, 2011 Report Share Posted September 18, 2011 It does, that's why we keep repeating the mistakes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted September 18, 2011 Report Share Posted September 18, 2011 Is that a plea to legalise the sex trade Obs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted September 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2011 Well it would make common sense - and some tax money too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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