490 Milan
decline. A recovery, already evident by the end of the
LOMBARDkingdom in the social and economic sphere,
became more evident in the eighth century. This revival
was especially tied to the activity of the bishops, who
were among the most powerful in Italy, gaining political
power to add to the economic power derived from their
vast temporal possessions.
The archbishop’s long dominance of the life of the
city suffered a crisis in 1057, when political and religious
struggle caused by the powerful Patarine dissent move-
ment. The movement was opposed to SIMONY, the lack of
clerical discipline, and to church and papal reform that
originated in ROME, the later GREGORIANREFORM.
THE LOMBARD LEAGUE; FAMILY RULEIn the first half of the 12th century, a COMMUNEassumed
responsibility for government and the economic and
political interests of the urban community. In the mid-
12th century, this led some cities of northern Italy to ask
the emperor FREDERICK I BARBAROSSAfor help against
expansionist Milan. In the ensuing wars, Milan was
nearly permanently destroyed. In 1167 the city became
part of the LOMBARDLEAGUE, a close alliance of Lombard
communes. It gained increasing prominence within the
league, especially after its victory at the Battle of LEG-
NANOin 1176 and the peace of Constance in 1183. Milan
then acquired a dominant position in Lombardy.
Internal conflicts continued, in particular resulting
from the wars against the emperor FREDERICKII and his
allies. The struggle was at first between a popular party,
under the leadership of the Della Torre family and the
nobles. Later it was between the VISCONTIand Torriani
families. The Visconti finally won and consolidated gov-
ernment in Milan and around their family. Giangaleazzo
Visconti (r. 1378–1402), who obtained the title of duke
in 1395, tried to expand his power well beyond northern
Italy but died suddenly in 1402 on campaign on the verge
of success over FLORENCE.Milan Cathedral (Duomo), began 1380 (Courtesy Library of Congress)