"Thomas Allison Kirk reconstructs the early modern Mediterranean world and studies Genoa's attempts to evolve in the dynamic political and economic landscape. He focuses on efforts in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries to revive shipbuilding and maritime commerce as a counterbalance to the city's volatile financial sector. A key component to the plan was a free-port policy that attracted merchants and stimulated trade." "Through extensive research and close reading of primary documents, Kirk discusses the underpinnings of this complex early modern republic. Genoa's transformations offer insight into the significant and sweeping changes that were taking place all over Europe."--Jacket.