Vincitori e vinti. Le economie urbane italiane nel tardo Medioevo

sergio tognetti

2025-01-01

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Abstract

The essay examines the evolution of Italian urban economies between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries, highlighting how a once highly dynamic and polycentric system was reshaped by demographic collapse, political shifts, and rising international competition. Cities that relied mainly on trade and finance without developing strong manufacturing sectors became the “losers,” unable to adjust after the Black Death. Conversely, centers such as Florence, Milan, and Venice emerged as “winners,” thanks to productive innovation, diversification, and adaptive strategies. The study shows how warfare, political choices, and social structures produced sharply diverging economic trajectories.