Who held the most power in the italian city-states?
the wealthiest people
the monarchy
the popolo
the religious leaders

The correct answer is A. The wealthiest people

Explanation:

Italian cities became so wealthy because they could pay for painters, sculptors, and architects to generate new works.

Thus, trade gave the city-states a new status. An example of this is Venice, which was considered the most powerful city-state in Italy because it  specialized in shipping. In this way, it could take control over the different trade routes through the Mediterranean Sea.

Another Italian city-states during the 11th century were: Milan, Florence, Genoa, Pisa, Lucca, Cremona, Siena, Città di Castello and Perugia.  

the conditions that made the byzantine empire vulnerable to attacks by the muslin turks were the sack of constantinople by western crusaders, the conquests of the sultanate of rum, presence of rival kingdoms and finally the set up of fiefdoms at the empire which were owned by the ghazis (turkish warriors).