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The
Mediterranean Sea
- a brief history Page
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Recent history
The
Mediterranean has since witnessed innumerable turmoils, caused principally by the greed
for riches and by the ambition for power of certain Mediterranean leaders. Many empires
came and went, some created by the sword, others by trade. Ships became larger and more
suitable to face the oceans, so that the distant descendants of the Phoenicians, again set
off westwards, to discover, conquer and populate the new lands of the Americas.
Piracy,
rape and plunder continued on the isolated coastal areas right up to the last century.
This is the reason why in Sardinia, which was particularly prone to attack, there are no
cities on the coast, except those few founded by the Phoenicians. The sea was a source of
terror and today you will find that all old farmhouses are built in recesses amongst the
rocks, well hidden from the sea.
Pisa,
Genoa, Ravenna and Venice became the dominating maritime powers and accumulated much
wealth, reflected in the beautifully decorated buildings and churches and in the art
treasures stored there. Italy during the Renaissance period, produced in a short time,
something like 70% of the worlds current art treasures. The Italians
produced four maritime republics, today recalled in the Italian maritime
flag, with its crest representing Venice, Genoa, Pisa and Amalfi. Their
influence and domination was considerably widespread in the Eastern
Mediterranean, evidenced today with innumerable coastal watch towers and
castles.
The
Venetians
The Venetian Republic dominated both sides of the Adriatic coast, much of
the Greek arcipelago and as far as the Turkish coast. You will find many
Venetian harbours and fortresses, Venetian style architecture often
dominated by the Venetian symbol of Saint Mark's lion with its paw on the
bible.
However,
as the local supply of large timber began to diminish in the depleted forests, the once
unbeatable fleet of ships, could no longer be maintained or replaced, so that the
dominance of the Seas passed to other nations outside of the Mediterranean, to Portugal,
to Holland and finally to England.
Gibraltar
represents one of the last British strongholds in the Mediterranean, which England is very
reluctant to relinquish; the same with Spain and its stronghold Ceuta, on the
Moroccan side. More recently still, we find that the protection of the
Mediterranean has been entrusted to NATO forces, headed by the United States, with several
navy and air-force bases in the area: Rota (Spain), Naples, Verona, Sigonella (Sicily),
Corfu, Malta, Turkey and Kosovo.
The
history of the Mediterranean is still being written today, as we are living right now the
new changes in the Balkans, in Palestine, the elimination of barriers between the European
countries and the dramatic migrations from the poorer countries to the wealthier ones.
There is
also a growing consciousness amongst all the bordering countries of the Mediterranean, of
their responsibility towards this sea and concrete steps are now being taken to protect
it, to keep it clean, healthy and safe, for all those fortunate enough to be able to
navigate and explore its many, many wonders.
(Click here for Save the Med)
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The Mediterranean Sea
mediterranean-yachting.com
Copyright L. Camillo
2008
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