Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/31

Rh seems to have united greatness with elegance; but those qualifications might have remained unknown, had it not been for the exertions she made in favour of the distressed inhabitants of Ancona.

This city, situated upon the Adriatic Sea, had frequently changed masters; but, about the middle of the twelfth century, it became, we know not how, a sort of free republic, under the protection of the Greek emperors, who had a commissary, and, without doubt, some troops, resident there. Being on the sea-coast, the possession of it was of importance, as it afforded them entrance into Italy, where their jealousy of the German emperors, against whom the little states were always revolting, led them to desire a footing. The citizens of Ancona were able seamen, and encroached materially on the trade of Venice. In July, 1167, Frederic I. who knew the cabals of the court of Constantinople against him, undertook the siege of this city; but, having an open sea, and encouraged by the Greeks, the inhabitants made so brave a defence, that the emperor was glad to make peace with them, and raise the siege a few days after.

The same subjects of discontent remaining in 1172, the Venetians agreed to unite their naval powers, with the forces of the emperor Frederic, under the command of the archbishop of Mayence, his lieutenant-general in Italy: the former prevented any thing entering or going out, and the latter blockaded it very closely by land. The inhabitants defended themselves very bravely; but, were reduced to such an extremity by famine, that they at length sent deputies to the archbishop, offering him an immense sum to raise the siege; but he refused them, with insult, saying, "It would be folly to accept a part, when the whole was in his power." The deputies made him