How was the social system in Genoa structured?

Answer 1

The social system in Genoa during the medieval and Renaissance periods was hierarchical and primarily structured around a wealthy merchant class, known as the nobility, who controlled trade and political power. Below them were the lesser nobility and wealthy merchants, who played significant roles in the economy and governance. The common people, including laborers and artisans, occupied the lower tiers of society, often struggling for rights and representation. This stratification was reflected in the city's political institutions, where power was concentrated in the hands of a few elite families.