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[[File:Peata boat.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Peota boats have been used for leisure trips funded by the Casse. Unknown, ''La Peàta'', 1961. Source: [https://www.conoscerevenezia.it/?p=40902 Conoscere Venezia]. [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ CC BY-NC-SA 3.0].]] | [[File:Peata boat.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Peota boats have been used for leisure trips funded by the Casse. Unknown, ''La Peàta'', 1961. Source: [https://www.conoscerevenezia.it/?p=40902 Conoscere Venezia]. [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ CC BY-NC-SA 3.0].]] | ||
For long time one of the most thriving metropolis of Europe, Venice offered great opportunities to artisans and businessmen. In times of crisis, however, small businesses were at risk of being put in prison because of debts; this led to a vicious circle, as prisoners were unable to earn the money necessary to regain their freedom (Cacciavillani, 2013: 127-129). Oarsmen faced a mirrored problem. Their job was poorly paid, but they were allowed to trade everything they could store under their seat. With some luck, good investments and access to Venetian markets – the best in the world – this personal trade could generate a small fortune (Lane 1978: 62-64, 201). On their return to the capital, having sold their merchandise, the oarsmen needed a way to store their money safely, before heading abroad again for months-long periods (Cacciavillani 2013:124-127). | For a long time one of the most thriving metropolis of Europe, Venice offered great opportunities to artisans and businessmen. In times of crisis, however, small businesses were at risk of being put in prison because of debts; this led to a vicious circle, as prisoners were unable to earn the money necessary to regain their freedom (Cacciavillani, 2013: 127-129). Oarsmen faced a mirrored problem. Their job was poorly paid, but they were allowed to trade everything they could store under their seat. With some luck, good investments and access to Venetian markets – the best in the world – this personal trade could generate a small fortune (Lane 1978: 62-64, 201). On their return to the capital, having sold their merchandise, the oarsmen needed a way to store their money safely, before heading abroad again for months-long periods (Cacciavillani 2013:124-127). | ||
''Casse peota'' met these two necessities: oarsmen deposited their wealth safely, while small business owners were granted loans to avoid prison, on the condition that they made weekly payments, called ''“carato''”, which gradually repaid the debt. Failure to do so would mean imprisonment (Cacciavillani, 2013:127-129). The well-known and respected ship pilots were the guarantors of this system. The pilots were often more important to the everyday life of Venetian vessels than the ship captains and they enjoyed great respect among the lower classes of the city. An early interpretation of the name of this practice is associated with their role: “''peota''” is the Venetian term for “pilot”, while “''cassa''” can be translated with "fund" or "bank", like in "cassa comune", standing for the common fund of money (Ragazzini 2007). | ''Casse peota'' met these two necessities: oarsmen deposited their wealth safely, while small business owners were granted loans to avoid prison, on the condition that they made weekly payments, called ''“carato''”, which gradually repaid the debt. Failure to do so would mean imprisonment (Cacciavillani, 2013:127-129). The well-known and respected ship pilots were the guarantors of this system. The pilots were often more important to the everyday life of Venetian vessels than the ship captains and they enjoyed great respect among the lower classes of the city. An early interpretation of the name of this practice is associated with their role: “''peota''” is the Venetian term for “pilot”, while “''cassa''” can be translated with "fund" or "bank", like in "cassa comune", standing for the common fund of money (Ragazzini 2007). | ||