Reddit reviews A History of Venice

>What was the first usage of this title [Rex] during Late Antiquity/Early Middle Ages, and how did it's perception change?

The earliest I found was Holy Roman Emperor Henry II (1014-24) who used the title, "Rex Romanorum," -- King of the Romans. {Source}

Undoubtedly earlier adoptions of Latin-sounding titles exist. It makes you sound more impressive if your title is in Latin.

The reasons perceptions "changed" was because the people adopting the title weren't Romans.

>And, if I may ask a similar question, when did the term Republic become common to describe governments in Italy?

I wouldn't say the word republic ever went out of fashion in Italy. Republican ideals didn't die with the Empire. Plato's The Republic and Aristotle's Politics made a comeback in the Renaissance, but their ideas didn't disappear entirely in the 6th century. Venice has been calling itself a republic since at least the 8th century. {Source} In 1115, Florence was established as a republic. {Source} Genoa (1015-ish), Siena (1199-ish), Ragusa (1358) all claimed the term. The term was common as soon as the Republics were founded.

>Did the Italians of this time perceive their states are Roman successors?

Of course. It goes without saying. Everyone wanted to be the New Rome and be seen as the successor to the Republic (if not the Empire), not just in Italy but everywhere in Europe. This goes back to your post's first statement:

>The title Rex was despised by the Romans, yet this Latin title was used by medieval kings.

Naturally, you wouldn't dare call yourself Emperor; the Emperor was reigning in Constantinople until 1453. Even Caesar was still in use as a title in the Eastern Roman Empire. But Rex or Dux (Duke) was tasteful for international relations.

Thanks!

For US people: http://www.amazon.com/History-Venice-John-Julius-Norwich/dp/0679721975

I thoroughly enjoyed this one about Venice.