In V century Venetian people had to leave mainland and take refuge on the islands in front of it, to escape from the Huns led by Attila. They settled a community that lived thanks to fishing and the exploitation of rock salt mines (according to a legend the town was founded on 25^th March 421). At the beginning the settlement was temporary, just to wait for Huns to leave. But then it became permanent because people became used to this kind of life and found it was safer. During the centuries there was the development of this town on water, covering 118 isles. The inhabitants fought against the Franks and accepted Byzantine authority. Venice felt very independent and this is why it was the strongest among the Sea Republics (Genoa, Pisa and Amalfi). The ruler was called doge (in Latin dux) and the first doge was Paoluccio Anafesto in 697. Venice became the capital of the "Repubblica Serenissima Veneta", the most lasting of history (it was however an aristocratic Republic; it lasted 1000 years giving to its territories unity and independence; it was like an enlightened oligarchy thanks to the presence of "Maggior Consiglio"). Venice never became signoria, monarchy or empire; it was always loyal to the republican ideal. It was not invaded by foreign armies, feudalism didn’t reach it and there was no civil war. The town was very rich thanks to commerce. The victorious crusade of 1204 gave to Venice power and wealth: art and architecture benefited from these important elements. Venice was defeated by Genoa in 1354; war started again in 1376 to gain Tenedo isle, on Dardanelli Straits , that was fundamental to sea commerce on Black Sea. The Venetians, after the first victories, were defeated in Pola by Genoans that occupied Chioggia and besieged Venice. Venetians organized a new fleet and besieged Genoans in Chioggia. Genoans had to surrender (1380). This victory started a period of expansion: the Serenissima controlled most of Adriatic coasts, many isles on Aegean Sea, including Crete. The Republic in Italy included territories to Lake Garda and Adda River. In 1508 Venice lived a contrast with the Pope for the control of Romagne. The Pope Giulio II organized an alliance against Venice, together with French King Luigi XII, emperor Massimiliano I and king Ferdinando I di Aragona. On 14^th May 1509, Venetians were completely defeated in Agnadello. But Pope Giulio II feared the power of the French king in Italy and decided to make a peace with Venice that had however humbly to submit. Mediterranean routes then lost their importance because of the new commercial Atlantic routes, discovered thanks to exploration trips (Portuguese Vasco Da Gama showed that Africa could be circumnavigated). Venice lost its commercial importance and the situation was made worse by the arrival of Ottomans. The sea had always represented for Venice safeness and wealth, now it had become the source of fall: the Mediterranean Sea was no more useful to commerce with India. In 1571 Venetians contributed to the victory of Lepanto against the Turks, but then they were defeated in Candia. After 1070 years of independence, on 12^th May 1797 the town had to surrender to Napoleon Bonaparte. The doge, Ludovico Manin, had to abdicate, the Counsel was dissolved and there was the proclamation of a temporary government. On 17^th October 1797, with the Treaty of Campoformio Venice was given to Austria. After the Restoration with the Congress of Vienna the town became part of Lombardo-Veneto reign. Venice took part to Risorgimento: on 17^th March 1848 Venetians patriots rebelled and freed Daniele Manin and Niccolò Tommaseo. Austrians left and Venice became again a Republic, governed by a triumvirate. In 1849, Venice fought for four months against Austrian armies, and had to surrender on 18^th August because of famine and cholera. In 1866 after the Third War of Independence, Venice entered the Reign of Italy. On 4^th November Venice was inundated and the lagoon was 1.94 m above the usual level.