099: Emperor John II Komnenos: Trouble with Venice

Send us a textWhen John came to power he realized the most dangerous threat to the empire did not come from without, but it came from within. It was the bad trade deals set up by his father, that allowed Latin merchants to control the imperial navy as well as trade without taxation. This transferred an incredible amount of power and wealth from the Greeks, to the Latins. When John tried to sever the deal and tax the Venetian merchants, all hell broke loose, and the Venetians ravaged the coast...