Republic of Florence, 13th Century (jan 2, 1200 – jan 1, 1300)

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Florence's population continued to grow, supporting trade and vice versa, with many new buildings. Competing political faction were barely able to maintain peace, failing in 1216 when the Guelph and Ghibelline factions began to war. The Ghibbilienes supported the nobility, while the Guelphs were populists. The Ghibellines ruled the city under Frederick of Antioch from 1244-50, when they were deposed by the Guelphs, who led Florence to prosper further. After a catastrophic defeat against Siena in the Battle of Montaperti in 1260, the Ghibellines resumed power and undid many of the advances of the Guelphs, including many demolitions. The fragility of their rule caused the Ghibellines to seek out an arbitrator in the form of Pope Clement IV, who openly favored the Guelphs and restored them to power. The Florentine economy reached a zenith in the latter half of the 13th century, with the merchant class ever-prospering. The Bonsignori family of Siena, one of the leading banking families of Europe, went bankrupt in 1298, and Siena lost its status as the most prominent banking center of Europe to Florence.

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