"Ianuenses, Pisani et ceteri Lombardi": circolazione e attività dei gruppi italiani nelle città della bassa valle del Rodano tra i secoli XII e XIII

Between the 12th and 13th centuries, in Arles and Avignon, towns located in the lower Rhone valley, there was a significant influx of foreigners of Italian origin, commonly referred to as "Lombardi." The dense and firmly established presence of these Italian merchant groups played a pivotal role in shaping the economic policies of these urban centers. Moreover, this foreign presence contributed to the evolution of association strategies and fostered a sense of political identity among the existing social groups in the region. Examining the interactions between the "Lombardi" and the municipalities of Arles and Avignon enables us to gauge the dissemination of political culture within these towns, with the urban leadership and institutions serving as compelling evidence thereof.