La delazione e la conservazione dello stato (Siena 1311-1325)

The essay analizes the central role of secret informer in the rise of hegemonic justice in the 14th century Italian city-states, focusing on a case-study: Siena. Thanks to two “ordinamenta” promulgated in 1311 and 1325, after subverted attemptos against the government of “Nine” (and so the “pacifico stato” of the city-state), we may follow the use of secret information tool in the communal repressive policy and the work of progressive refinement and improvement of the device which played a central role in suppressing organized political dissent and dismantling conspiracy activities