English Language Meeting – November 12, 2025

Speaker: Donald De Santis

Topic: The Venetian Empire

Presentation:

The Venetian Empire, known as the Stato di Mare, was one of the richest and most powerful entities in Europe from late antiquity up through the early modern era. Born of necessity – Romans fleeing foreign invasions – Venice had a foot in multiple cultures. For hundreds of years the city owed allegiance to the Byzantine empire in the east, but it was also firmly grounded in Western Europe. At one point the city was the largest and richest city in Western Europe. Venice had its own unique culture and traditions, and its own dialect of Italian. In this presentation we will explore the foundation stories, the rise as a great power that controlled much of the Eastern Mediterranean, and its long slow decline. No longer a great power, the city was still rich and had to reinvent itself, in some ways as a playground for the rest of Europe. We will look briefly at the challenges the city faces in the 21st century.

About the Speaker:

Don De Santis has a passion for history. He received his B.A. in History from Loyola Marymount University and has traveled to five continents and roughly thirty countries. He also has degrees from USC and the University of Washington and is working on his M.A. in History from Eastern Washington University. From 2014 to 2020 he was a regular speaker on Rome for the Rick Steves Travel Center in Edmonds. Since 2018 he has been a speaker for several cruise lines on cruises in Europe and North America. His presentations cover the history, art and culture of the places visited.

Make your reservation for dinner by 5 pm Monday November 10. 

Register for Pasta Dinner