Late Renaissance Venetian Society

Abstract

Abstract This chapter explores Venetian society in the sixteenth century, including family and sexual relations, social networks, minority groups, and immigrants. Significant attention is paid to women’s lives and the options available to them including marriage, the nunnery, or prostitution. Late Renaissance Venice was home to two large minority groups: Greek immigrants and Jews. Early in the sixteenth century Jews were finally allowed to settle permanently in the city, although they were confined to the Ghetto. The nobles shifted their family strategies as they placed increasing emphasis on preserving rather than growing their wealth. They restricted marriages and purchased mainland agricultural estates.