6/7     Someone asked this question a while ago on the motd.
        The longest lasting republic in history was the city-state of
        Venice (at around 1000 years).  At the height of its power it
        waged successful wars vs its rival Genoa, and the Ottoman Turks,
        and was the premier maritime Mediterranean power.  It ceased to
        exist as an independent entity around Napoleonic times. -- ilyas
        \_ The Italian city-states weren't exactly known for their love of
           freedom and goodwill towards man, were they?  I'm asking this
           seriously.  I seem to recall that's where the infamous Machiavelli
           came from (not Venice though, correct?).  Not to mention how
           involved they all were in the machinations and degredations of
           the Rennaissance Popes (c.f., e.g. Ballet of Chestnuts).
           \- A large question since the days of the renaissance itself
              has been "how to explain florentine exceptionalism" and
              the "meaning" and causes of the renaissance write large.
              the "meaning" and causes of the renaissance writ large.
              I'm too busy to give motd summaries any more but you can
              read J. BURCKHARDT: Civ Renaissance in Italy, which is the
              classic work. There are some important scholars in this area
              from UCB as well, e.g. Old Professor Bouwsma (dead) and
              G. BRUCKER (emeritus).
              G. BRUCKER (emeritus). according to pope gregory xi, florentine
              exceptionalism consisted of their love of high interest rates
              and assmastery.
           \_ Neither was Athens.  According to some people neither is the
              United States.  I think it is reasonable to call all 3
              republics though, just due to the 'shape' of their government.
              (Well ok, Athens was more of a direct democracy).  -- ilyas
              Italian city-states WERE quite progressive for their day.  If
              I were to venture an amateur guess I would say this has something
              to do with them embracing more aspects of capitalism than their
              neighbors. -- ilyas
              \_ Wasn't Athens a pure democracy rather than a republic?