I was in Venice this week and as usual, made straight for St Marks' Square to see my old friends the Tetrarchs.
This is a famous group of four rulers of the Roman Empire, dating to around 300AD that is affixed into the side of St Mark's Cathedral - the heart of the city.
I always pop by to pay my respects, because it is one of the most evocative pieces of art that I know - and speaks not only of the past of Rome, but of Constantinople and of Venice too.
This is a famous group of four rulers of the Roman Empire, dating to around 300AD that is affixed into the side of St Mark's Cathedral - the heart of the city.
I always pop by to pay my respects, because it is one of the most evocative pieces of art that I know - and speaks not only of the past of Rome, but of Constantinople and of Venice too.
Hello again, boys
I guess my mind must have been wandering because I suddenly thought that the four reminded me of something but couldn't quite place it. It was only when I sat for coffee at my father's old favourite haunt (Florian's - €16 for a macchiato) that I twigged.
I thought back to another period in history a long way away and the role of trade.
I thought back to another period in history a long way away and the role of trade.
 Ambassadors from Trade Federation |  Tetrarchs |
As everyone knows, a fierce series of conflicts broke out 'a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away'. It took a while for the role of trade to become clear in the narrative of Star Wars (the role of the privateer Han Solo alluded to it). But lo and behold in The Phantom Menace (and later films), the representatives of the Trade Federation.
In some ways, it is not a surprise that the writers of the film would turn to Venice - whose name is synonymous with commerce - even if the four tetrarchs who seem plausible inspiration have nothing to do with the city but were brought there in 1204 as booty after the Venetians led the sack of Constantinople (who says trade and war don't go hand in hand).
The fact that they have nothing to do with trade either is ironic, of course; but such is life.
In some ways, it is not a surprise that the writers of the film would turn to Venice - whose name is synonymous with commerce - even if the four tetrarchs who seem plausible inspiration have nothing to do with the city but were brought there in 1204 as booty after the Venetians led the sack of Constantinople (who says trade and war don't go hand in hand).
The fact that they have nothing to do with trade either is ironic, of course; but such is life.
Constantinople, obviously
I'd already clocked that Palace Plaza from the Star Wars film looks to have been based on Constantinople - so it's got me wondering about what the person/people who styled these episodes of Star Wars read in their spare time (or studied in college). But rather wonderful to think that the set designers' knowledge of the past in this galaxy has helped tell the story of what happened in another.
That city in Star Wars
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