Part 104

Explore Stockhelm and Venice in Civilization V. Learn about Stockhelm's founding in 1250 AD and Venice's unknown founding date.

Stockhelm

Founded: c.1250 AD

Location: South-East Sweden

Population: 825,057

The earliest written records of Stockholm date back to 1252 AD, describing it as an iron trading town. Norse sagas suggest it might be the lost city of Agnafit. Another tale attributes its founding to Birger Jarl to defend Sweden from invading navies. The city rapidly grew as a center for commerce, mining, and fishing. Stockholm became an important Danish mercantile city due to booming Baltic trade with the advent of the Hanseatic League.

In the 15th century, a Swedish independence movement emerged in Stockholm against Danish rule. The Revolution in 1520 led to the Stockholm Bloodbath, a massacre of Swedish opposition forces by Danish King Christian II. Subsequent uprisings led to the dissolution of the Kalmar Union and Swedish independence. Gustav Vasa, the first king of Sweden, was crowned in 1523, leading to rapid population growth in Stockholm, increasing over sixfold within a century.

In 1634, Stockholm became the capital of the Swedish Empire, with new trading laws granting it control over foreign and domestic trade. This era ended about forty years later due to the Black Death and war. Stockholm stagnated economically for nearly two hundred years but continued cultural development. It regained its leading economic role in the latter half of the 20th century, becoming a technological and economic hub. Many historic buildings were replaced with modern architecture to accommodate industrial and population growth, shifting focus from labor-intensive industries to high-tech electronics, architecture, and modern services.

Venice

Founded: Unknown

Location: Northern Italy

Population: 270,660

Venice spans 118 islands in the Venetian Lagoon. While its exact founding date is unknown, archaeological evidence suggests early inhabitants were Roman refugees fleeing Germanic invasions and the Huns. The settlement expanded across islands, using canals as roads. Venice fell under Byzantine rule early on. In the late 700s AD, the ducal seat moved to Venice, and the Basilica of St. Mark the Evangelist was built, marking the rise of the "Queen of the Adriatic." Venice eventually gained independence from the Byzantines, becoming an autonomous city-state.

The city thrived as a trade center between Western Europe and the world, its strategic location giving it unmatched commercial and naval power in the Adriatic. Venice expanded by seizing cities along the eastern Adriatic shores and as far west as the Adda River. It controlled most Aegean islands, including Cyprus and Crete, becoming a major power in the Near East. Despite territorial acquisition by force, Venice improved living standards in its empire, fostering loyalty.

Venice's dominance was solidified in 1204 after sacking Constantinople and contributing to the fall of the Byzantine Empire. This, combined with trade wealth, made Venice the wealthiest city in Europe. It also became a cultural hub for music and the arts, renowned for its opera composers. Venice is credited with inventing the paperback book and was the world's printing capital by 1492.

Venice's decline began with a war against the Ottoman Empire, resulting in the loss of most eastern Mediterranean holdings. The discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus and Portugal's sea route to India disrupted Venice's trade monopoly. In the late 1500s, the Black Death killed over 50,000 people, a third of its population, over three years.

On May 12, 1797, Napoleon conquered Venice, ending over 1,000 years of the Republic's independence. Venice became Austrian property later that year. An 1800s revolt attempted to restore independence, but in 1866, it became part of the Kingdom of Italy. The city currently faces environmental threats, slowly sinking into the sea.