Corsica As A Republic

During tho teuth century Corsica was tbo prey of contending barons, who in their strugglos l'or territory ravaged tho islaud and deSpoiled tho pcoplo. At last, iu tho flrst yuar of tho eleventh century, tho lord of the Cinarca, to the uortheast of Ajaccio, a baron more povverful tban the rest, sought to make hhnself rnler of (he islaiid uuder the titlo of count of Corsica. Ho had trinniphed over his brothor barous, but he had not reckoned with tho duruocrncy of tho island. That long sniïeriug budy arose, aod in oue decisive battle 6wept away ho lord of the Ciuarca and proclaimed that tbo land of Corsica bnlonged to tho people of Corsica. Sambnonccio and the island assem bly founded in 1007 what is known as "Lrt Terra di ConUnmie" and gave it n popular constitntion, which has ever siuce been held saored. Under this constitution tbe vavious hamlets of a valley wero formed into a pieve, or parish, presided over by a podesta, or mayor, and two or more "communal fathers, " who nominated a caporale, a sor!; of tribune of (he people. The various podestas or mayors of different parishes asseinbled and elected a supremo títmncil consisting of 12 men.