All Pisa [antikvár]

HISTORICAL OUTLINEThe origins of Pisa are so ancient that they are lost in legend. Many historians believe,however, that the city dates back to Grecian times, that it was founded in fact by theGreeks, to become later an Etruscan and subsequently a Roman colony. It was referredto by Caesar as " Colonia Militare " and by Augustus as " Julia obsequens ". Underthe Romans, the port of Pisa became famous: here were anchored the Roman shipswhich sailed the seas and proclaimed the power of Pisa, ally of Rome in her wars againstother nations which sought to contest her commercial and maritime supremacy.With the fall of the Roman Empire, Pisa was invaded by the Goths, Lombards and Franks.But under the Carolingians, the city returned to its ancient glory, fighting against theSaracens and driving them from the seas. It became a powerful maritime republic whichvied with the other republics of Genoa, Amalfi and Venice. In the frequent wars againstthe Saracens, Pisa won many victories and established its rule over Sardinia, Corsicaand the Lipari and Balearic Islands. By taking part in the first Crusade of 1099, it gainedimportant trading privileges and possessions which stretched as far as Asia Minor. Theresultant commercial relations were immensely profitable and brought Pisa, between