THE ITALIAN COLONIES. 17X a hundred galleys. Before the year was out similar privileges were granted to the Genoese. They were to have their own quarter of the city, their own wharves, churches, and freedom of trade. The obtention of privileges was, however, by no means prized as it had been a generation previously. The commerce of the capital had already fallen off. The dynastic rebellions had weakened the empire, and had injured it still more by showing how greatly it had been weakened by its struggles with the Turks and other enemies. During the last twenty 3^ears of the century the members of each Italian colony had had troubles with the empire, had been expelled, and had then been allowed to return. A spirit of distrust had arisen on both sides. Merchants and citizens had alike taken in hand the redress of their own wrongs even in Constantinople, while Attacks upon ^^^^ low Condition of the Byzantine marine enabled itaifau pT-^ ^^ t^^G Latins to ravage the coasts and the islands when- rates. ^^^j. ^j^^^ were at war with the empire. During the last few years of the century they were nearly always at war. In 1192 the Pisans and the Genoese were confirmed in their old privileges, or had new ones granted them, although at the very time Pisan and Genoese pirates were ravaging the ^gean Sea. These pirates, in ships belonging respectively to the two states, captured a Venetian vessel on its way to Con- stantinople. There was on board of it an ambassador from Isaac who was returning from Egypt, and another from Saladin who was bringing gifts of horses, wild animals, amber, and other valuable presents to the emperor. The ambassadors were murdered. Isaac resented their murder and the theit of the presents intended for him. lie made complaints to Genoa and Pisa, seized merchant ships, and asked for indem- nity. After some time the Genoese consented to give it, but the Pisans gave no satisfaction. The government of Pisa was either unable or unwilling to control its citizens, who took to piracy with impunity. In 1194 a fleet of ves- sels belonging to similar freebooters virtually blockaded the Dardanelles and plundered imperial vessels. The emperor was powerless to capture them. The Council of Pisa took no
