135-51).
Much of this instability was due to the fact that Florentine, like Athenian, intelligence was overdeveloped.

It passed into mere cleverness, and overreached itself.

Next we may note the tyranny which both republics exercised over cities that had once been free.

Athens created a despotic empire instead of forming an Ionian Confederation.
Florence reduced Pisa to the most miserable servitude, rendered herself odious to Arezzo and Volterra, and never rested from attempts upon the liberties of Lucca and Siena.

All these states, which as a Tuscan federation should have been her strength in the hour of need, took the first opportunity of throwing off her yoke and helping her enemies.