From the 11th to the late 15th centuries the Italian maritime republics, in particular Venice and Genoa held hegemony in the Mediterranean, dominating trade between Europe and the Orient for centuries, and having naval supremacy. However, with the arrival of the Age of Discovery and the Early modern period, they began to gradually lose their hegemony to other European powers.
froM the 11tH to The lAte 15th ceNturIES The italian mAriTIme republics, in ParticUlar venice and gEnoa HeLd HEgemOnY In tHe meDITErranean, domInatINg tradE betwEEn EUrope and the orIENt for ceNturIeS, and HavinG naval suPremaCy. HoweveR, with tHE aRRival of tHE aGe Of dIscovEry and ThE eaRly MOdern pErIOd, tHEY Began to GRAdually loSe theIR Hegemony tO othEr eUropeaN PowERS.