For 10 points, name this polity nicknamed "La Superba," a maritime republic based in the Ligurian birthplace of Christopher Columbus.
In 1298, a merchant from this polity incorporated pioneering risk-sharing measures into his contract to transport Phocaean alum from Aigues-Mortes to Bruges. Braudel claims that this polity's control over the Piacenza fairs and manipulation of Spanish juros were instrumental in its success during a period he dubbed its namesake "century," which was abruptly brought to a disastrous end in 1575. The production of mastic was monopolized by the Maona of (*) Chios controlled by this polity, whose colonies of the Taman peninsula and Gazaria on the Black Sea were managed by the Bank of Saint George. The Adorno and Campofregoso families vied for control of this polity, whose oligarchical alberghi were created in 1528 by the "perpetual censor" and admiral Andrea Doria. For 10 points, name this polity nicknamed "La Superba," a maritime republic based in the Ligurian birthplace of Christopher Columbus.
In 1298, a merchant from this polity incorporated pioneering risk-sharing measures into his contract to transport Phocaean alum from Aigues-Mortes to Bruges.
Republic of Genoa [or Repubblica di Genova; or Repúbrica de Zêna; or République de Gênes; accept "La Superba" before mentioned]