Palmerston's Zoo - The Venetian Takeover Of England

 

In this lecture, “Palmerston’s Zoo - The Venetian Takeover of England,” Gerry Rose systematically outlines how Venice, a city-state built on principles of usury, slavery, and Aristotelian oligarchy, extended its influence over England. The lecture begins with Venice’s narrow survival after the Battle of Agnadello in 1509 and examines how the Venetian oligarchy, skilled in manipulation and strategy, infiltrated English society. Through strategic alliances and the exploitation of religious and political conflicts, Venice transplanted its oligarchical principles into England, gradually reshaping its governance and societal structures.

The lecture gets into the key figures and philosophical doctrines that facilitated this transfer of power, highlighting the role of Aristotelian philosophy in justifying the inequality and oligarchical control that became embedded in English society. Over nearly two centuries, Venice’s calculated efforts culminated in the establishment of an English political system modeled on Venetian governance. By the time of the Glorious Revolution in 1688, England had fully adopted these oligarchical principles, transforming into a global power with a governance structure that echoed Venice’s longstanding rule.

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Palmerston's Zoo - The Venetian Takeover Of England