Ciompi Revolt in Florence

Date: July 21, 1378 • Location: Florence, Italy

This milestone marked the outbreak and beginning of this historic period, which spanned 1378–1382.

Unrepresented labourers revolted and violently took over the government of the Republic of Florence (depicted), demanding that they be granted political office.

The Ciompi Revolt was a rebellion among unrepresented labourers which occurred in the Republic of Florence in Tuscany, Italy, from 1378 to 1382. Those who revolted consisted of artisans, labourers, and craftsmen who did not belong to any guilds and were therefore unable to participate in the Florentine government. These labourers had grown increasingly resentful over the established patrician oligarchy. In addition, they were expected to pay heavy taxes which they could not afford, forcing some to abandon their homes. The resulting insurrection over such tensions led to the creation of a government composed of wool workers and other disenfranchised workers which lasted for three and a half years.