Genoese-Venetian wars

The Genoese-Venetian wars were a series of conflicts primarily fought between the maritime republics of Venice and Genoa for control of trade routes and territories in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. These wars spanned nearly two centuries, with significant clashes occurring after the Fourth Crusade in 1204, which saw Venice gain a vast commercial empire in the eastern Mediterranean.1

When the Byzantine Empire was re-established in 1261 with Genoese support, Genoa was granted trade privileges that challenged Venice's dominance, particularly in the Black Sea. The rivalry intensified, leading to periods of intense warfare marked by alternating victories and defeats. A key conflict concluded with the Peace of Turin in 1381, which significantly diminished Genoese influence and solidified Venice's position as a major arbiter of sea routes.12