Popes and Emperors 459 neighbors as with independent powers. The Italian towns were destined to become the birthplace of our modern culture during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Venice and Florence, in spite of their small size, came to be reckoned among the most important states of Europe (see section 90, below). In the cen- tral part of the peninsula the Pope maintained more or less control over his possessions, but he often failed to subdue the towns within his realms. To the south Naples remained for some time under the French dynasty, which the Pope had called in, while the island of Sicily drifted into Spanish hands. QUESTIONS Section 73. Describe the way in which the German kings gained the title of Emperor. Why did they think that they ought to control the election of the Pope. What do you understand by the Holy Roman Empire.? Section 74. What were the sources of wealth of the Church.? What was the effect of the vast landholdings of the Church ? What was investiture, and why did it raise difficulties between the popes and emperors? Why did the Pope oppose the marriage of the clergy.? How is the Pope elected.? What is a cardinal.? Section 75. What was the Dictattts, and what claims did it make .? Section 'jd. Describe the conflict between Henry IV and Gregory VII. What were the provisions of the Concordat of Worms ? Section "j"]. What new enemies did Frederick Barbarossa find in northern Italy.? How did the German kings establish a claim to southern Italy? Give some facts about Innocent HI. Narrate the struggle between Frederick II and the popes and its outcome. How many years elapsed between the death of Otto the Great and the accession of Henry IV? between the death of Henry IV and that of Frederick Barbarossa ? between the death of Barbarossa and that of Frederick II?
