On the Magistrates and Republic of Venice

and they built towns in which, as if in a most safe harbor, they might escape that most turbulent storm of Attila. Moreover, at the same time, there were several towns on the shore (which we mentioned above), to which the inhabitants of that same coast gathered, having left their first homes, which had been plundered and razed by the Huns; and they sought a safe place for their wives, their children, and (if I may say so) their household gods. Afterwards, in the times of the kings Charles and Pippin, by common counsel they all gathered at Rivoaltus as if into the safest and most convenient place of all. And thus, with all those who could escape that harassment and devastation brought upon Italy by the entire deluge of barbarians gathering in that place, Venice grew to the magnitude we see today. That the site of the Venetian city is most safe can be clear to everyone, even from the very reasoning behind the establishment of that city, since those men founded it for themselves who were fleeing that most atrocious disaster of Italy and remaining there safe with their