3 mighty city-states roughly forming an equilateral triangle were Venice, Florence & this one where Viscontis & Sforzas ruled
On the April 1, 2025 episode of Jeopardy!, the Final Jeopardy clue came from the category Italian History. Contestants were presented with this clue:
“3 mighty city-states roughly forming an equilateral triangle were Venice, Florence & this one where Viscontis & Sforzas ruled.”
Contents
What is Milan?
The correct response was What is Milan? Milan completes the trio of dominant Renaissance-era city-states referenced in the clue. Together with Venice and Florence, Milan played a major role in the political, military, and cultural landscape of northern and central Italy during the Late Middle Ages and Renaissance period.
Milan Under the Viscontis and Sforzas
The Visconti family rose to power in Milan during the 13th century and established a hereditary signoria, or lordship, that governed the city with increasing authority. Their rule helped transform Milan from a communal republic into a centralized and powerful duchy. In 1395, Gian Galeazzo Visconti was granted the title Duke of Milan by the Holy Roman Emperor, solidifying the family’s influence and setting the stage for Milan to become a dominant player in northern Italy.
Following the end of Visconti rule in 1447, the Sforza family seized control. Francesco Sforza, a skilled condottiero (mercenary leader), married Bianca Maria Visconti, daughter of the last Visconti duke, and later took power himself. Under Sforza leadership, Milan became a center of commerce, military strength, and cultural patronage. The family supported renowned artists and thinkers, including Leonardo da Vinci, further establishing Milan as a key hub of Renaissance Italy.
A Triangular Balance of Power
The clue’s reference to an “equilateral triangle” highlights the geographical and political significance of the three cities—Venice to the northeast, Florence to the south, and Milan to the northwest. Each represented different aspects of Italian power during the Renaissance: Venice controlled trade and maritime wealth; Florence was a center for banking, literature, and the arts; and Milan held strategic importance in land-based military and political affairs.
The balance among these powers often led to shifting alliances and conflicts. Milan’s position on the northern frontier of Italy made it especially important in regional wars, including the Italian Wars that involved foreign powers such as France and the Holy Roman Empire. The city’s location near the Alps also made it a gateway to northern Europe, which enhanced its commercial importance and military vulnerability.
Milan’s Lasting Legacy
Even after the decline of the Sforza dynasty, Milan remained a central figure in Italian and European affairs. The city eventually fell under Spanish and later Austrian rule, yet it continued to be an economic and cultural powerhouse. The foundations laid during the Visconti and Sforza eras—marked by strong institutions, architectural advancements, and intellectual investment—helped shape Milan into the modern metropolis it is today.
Understanding Milan’s role in this historic triangle adds depth to how the Renaissance and Italian statecraft evolved. While Florence and Venice often capture popular imagination, Milan’s dynastic leadership and territorial significance made it indispensable to the power dynamics of Renaissance Italy.
