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Quiz about Historic Realms The Duchy of Milan
Quiz about Historic Realms The Duchy of Milan

Historic Realms: The Duchy of Milan Quiz


A little rusty on your history? Come learn a little about the world's historic realms in this photo quiz series. Here we will talk about the Duchy of Milan. (If you would like to have a better view of the images/maps, please click on them to enlarge!)

A photo quiz by trident. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
trident
Time
5 mins
Type
Photo Quiz
Quiz #
369,873
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
493
Awards
Top 10% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 68 (5/10), Guest 174 (4/10), Guest 136 (7/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. The flag of Milan has two opposing quarters. One of the quarters is the symbol of the House Visconti: the "biscione", which is an azure serpent swallowing a person (often said to be a Saracen). The other quarter was adopted after Gian Galeazzo Visconti purchased a diploma to become Duke of Milan by joining what grand organization of nations? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Here is the largest extent of the Duchy of Milan, which as you can see is located in northern Italy. Many Italian regions in the north came under their control, though they ultimately failed to reach into the peninsula past Rome. Which of the following regions was NOT under their control? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. The Duchy of Milan was a bastion for Roman Catholicism, and in 1386, construction of the Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral) was started by Archbishop Antonio da Saluzzo, cousin of Milan's first duke, Gian Galeazzo Visconti. The duomo had many setbacks, with over sixty different architects over the years, some even brought in from France. In what year was the cathedral finally finished? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. This image by Renaissance painter Tintoretto shows his nation's army in action. By the fifteenth century, the Italian Peninsula was being ruled and influenced by five major powers: Milan, Florence, Naples, the Papal States and what other nation which skirmished with Milan in the Wars of Lombardy? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. In Renaissance Italy, it was common practice for the city-states not to have their own standing armies, but to hire Italian mercenaries from private "contractors". The Duchy of Milan also followed this practice; even one duke made a living this way before he was crowned. As seen in the image we have one such leader. What were the leaders of these mercenary groups called? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. In 1447, Filippo Maria Visconti, the Duke of Milan, died suddenly, leaving no male heir and ending the long-ruling Visconti line. There were many claims from other lands such as Aragon, Naples, and Orleans, but Milan was able to keep itself independent, forming what short-lived republic? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. The Duchy of Milan had experimented with republic governance, but after only three years, this shrewd Milanese mercenary captain seized power and named himself duke. What Milanese ruling house did he begin? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. In a display of all he could offer the Duke of Milan if the monarch were to patronize him, what Renaissance inventor wrote a letter saying, "In case of need I will make big guns, mortars, and light ordnance of fine and useful forms, out of the common type"? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. The story of sixteenth-century Milan is a story of foreign control and influence. Many different nations played a tug-of-war game with the duchy and it was often used as a pawn and bargaining chip in foreign treaties. Which of the following kingdoms did NOT at one time have control of Milan? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. The Duchy of Milan was held as a constituent state by many other foreign powers, but it officially ceased to exist as an entity when it became part of the Cisalpine Republic due to what treaty from Napoleonic Europe? Hint



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Oct 10 2024 : Guest 68: 5/10
Sep 16 2024 : Guest 174: 4/10
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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The flag of Milan has two opposing quarters. One of the quarters is the symbol of the House Visconti: the "biscione", which is an azure serpent swallowing a person (often said to be a Saracen). The other quarter was adopted after Gian Galeazzo Visconti purchased a diploma to become Duke of Milan by joining what grand organization of nations?

Answer: The Holy Roman Empire

The Duchy of Milan was a member of the Holy Roman Empire, which included lands stretching from Germany and Denmark, to Austria and Italy, and even French and Dutch lands.

The House of Visconti ruled the lands of Milan for over one hundred years from 1277-1395 when Gian Galeazzo purchased a diploma for 100,000 florins to become the Duke of Milan. The Duchy of Milan was born and the House of Visconti would continue to rule for another fifty years.
2. Here is the largest extent of the Duchy of Milan, which as you can see is located in northern Italy. Many Italian regions in the north came under their control, though they ultimately failed to reach into the peninsula past Rome. Which of the following regions was NOT under their control?

Answer: Sicily

Sicily can be found in southern Italy, and for much of the Duchy of Milan's existence, it was under the control of Aragon/Spain. The city of Milan itself is located in Lombardia (Lombardy), which is very heavily populated. Brescia and Parma are also in northern Italy.
3. The Duchy of Milan was a bastion for Roman Catholicism, and in 1386, construction of the Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral) was started by Archbishop Antonio da Saluzzo, cousin of Milan's first duke, Gian Galeazzo Visconti. The duomo had many setbacks, with over sixty different architects over the years, some even brought in from France. In what year was the cathedral finally finished?

Answer: 1965

Even today, some blocks of stone that were meant to be statues still sit unsculpted in the duomo. However, the cathedral is still a symbol of pride for the Milanese, and its original construction was met with intense excitement.

Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned "King of Italy" in the Duomo di Milano, and became one in a long line of leaders who took control of its troubled construction. Spires and other architectural structures were added slowly and it was finally completed in 1965 after its last gate was added.
4. This image by Renaissance painter Tintoretto shows his nation's army in action. By the fifteenth century, the Italian Peninsula was being ruled and influenced by five major powers: Milan, Florence, Naples, the Papal States and what other nation which skirmished with Milan in the Wars of Lombardy?

Answer: Republic of Venice

The Republic of Venice wanted to impose its will on the Italian Peninsula, but most of the rulers in Italy wanted the balance of power to remain the same. Venice skirmished with Milan in a series of wars, eventually leading to Venetian decline of power.

Milan didn't escape unscathed. Their economic power was decimated, and it took some time for them to build back up what had been lost.
5. In Renaissance Italy, it was common practice for the city-states not to have their own standing armies, but to hire Italian mercenaries from private "contractors". The Duchy of Milan also followed this practice; even one duke made a living this way before he was crowned. As seen in the image we have one such leader. What were the leaders of these mercenary groups called?

Answer: condottieri

In Italian, "condottiero" (singular) loosely translates to "contractor", and these mercenary leaders were depended upon to keep the Italian traders safe from foreign invasion. The leaders gained in prestige and power, and even one condottiero claimed the Milanese throne.

The condottieri were very effective soldiers, though later the mercenary groups had gained significant political power and wished to solve their problems through bribes and intrigue so as not to diminish their forces. The condottieri leaders literally had their own private armies.
6. In 1447, Filippo Maria Visconti, the Duke of Milan, died suddenly, leaving no male heir and ending the long-ruling Visconti line. There were many claims from other lands such as Aragon, Naples, and Orleans, but Milan was able to keep itself independent, forming what short-lived republic?

Answer: Ambrosian Republic

The power vacuum caused by the end of the Visconti dynasty allowed Milanese republicans and intellectuals to create their own governmental experiment. However, it was only able to rule effectively for three years. Ambrosian forces were able to win battles against France and Venice, but ultimately, it was forces from within that undid the republic.
7. The Duchy of Milan had experimented with republic governance, but after only three years, this shrewd Milanese mercenary captain seized power and named himself duke. What Milanese ruling house did he begin?

Answer: House of Sforza

Francesco Sforza was a Milanese condottiero who helped the Ambrosian Republic defeat the forces of Venice. However, instead of continuing the republic, he took power in a coup and established himself as Duke of Milan, once again bringing the nation back to monarchical rule.

The Milanese republicans felt betrayed, yet many in Milan were relieved that they were once again under the rule of a single entity. Though the Ambrosian Republic was successful in their wars, it was largely thanks to Sforza and his mercenary troops. His coup would lead to Sforzas ruling Milan for many years.
8. In a display of all he could offer the Duke of Milan if the monarch were to patronize him, what Renaissance inventor wrote a letter saying, "In case of need I will make big guns, mortars, and light ordnance of fine and useful forms, out of the common type"?

Answer: Leonardo da Vinci

The Medici family and the Duchy of Milan had good relations, and Leonardo da Vinci was rumored to have presented the Milanese duke with a silver lyre as a symbol of diplomacy. Milan and Florence would effectively become allies in order to protect themselves from Venice and Naples.

Da Vinci had many of his drawings compiled into the "Codex Atlanticus", from which the crossbow image for this question came.
9. The story of sixteenth-century Milan is a story of foreign control and influence. Many different nations played a tug-of-war game with the duchy and it was often used as a pawn and bargaining chip in foreign treaties. Which of the following kingdoms did NOT at one time have control of Milan?

Answer: Kingdom of England

France was the first to rule over the duchy as they ousted the current duke Ludovico Sforza. The French king wanted to annex Milan, but their efforts fell short and another Sforza duke was installed just a few years later. Spain gained control of the duchy (and many other Italian lands) with the Peace of Cateau-Cambrésis in 1559.

They didn't hold onto it for long as after the War of Spanish Succession, it came under the influence of Austria. The lands once again were conquered by the French under Napoleon.
10. The Duchy of Milan was held as a constituent state by many other foreign powers, but it officially ceased to exist as an entity when it became part of the Cisalpine Republic due to what treaty from Napoleonic Europe?

Answer: Treaty of Campo Formio

The Treaty of Campo Formio ceded many lands from Austria and put them under French control after Napoleon had defeated Austrian forces. Many lands in Italy were affected by the peace. Milan was abandoned as a duchy, and incorporated into the Cisalpine Republic.

This republic was short-lived and merged together with Venice to create the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia. That kingdom was ultimately absorbed into the Kingdom of Italy.
Source: Author trident

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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