Until 1799 the Maritime Republic of Genova – ‘La Superba’ – was one of the pre-eminent powers of the western Mediterranean. The map in the picture shows the city’s location in a natural harbour, backed by the Ligurian Appenines. The city’s fortifications are also visible.
The Republic controlled territory far inland – to the Langhe, in fact – but was weak and characterised by unrest and disturbance throughout. Nonetheless La Superba controlled much of the trade to and from the Eastern Mediterranean.