Peace of Lodi
Lodi, on the Adda River, Lombardy, Italy
What happened
The Republic of Venice and the Duchy of Milan under Francesco Sforza, with Florence and other Italian states joining later. At Lodi, Venice and Milan made peace, confirmed Francesco Sforza as Duke of Milan, and set their border along the Adda River. Other Italian states soon joined, forming the Italic League.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It created a balance of power among the Italian states that lasted about forty years. This period of relative peace is linked to the flowering of the Renaissance.
What came next
Florence was the first major state to ratify the peace. Lorenzo de' Medici, 'the Magnificent', later worked to keep the balance it created.
Did you know?
Some scholars see the Peace of Lodi as an early model of a system where diplomacy between states replaced open war.
Timeline
- 9 April 1454The Peace of Lodi is signed.
- 10 May 1796Napoleon wins the Battle of the Lodi Bridge.