Most Serene Republic (Respublica Serenissima in latin) is a title attached to the following countries:
- Republic of Venice (English: the Most Serene Republic of Venice; Venetian: Serenìsima Repùblica Vèneta), city-state that existed from 697 to 1797 based in the city of Venice with continuously controlled territory along the eastern Adriatic at its strongest period. "La Serenissima" was also popularly used as a specific reference to the Venetian government or state authorities.
- Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (English: the Most Serene Commonwealth of Both Nations; Polish: Pierwsza Rzeczpospolita or Rzeczpospolita Obojga Narodów}}; Belarusian: Рэч Паспалітая or Рэч Паспалітая Абодвух Народаў; Lithuanian: Abiejų tautų respublika; Ukrainian: Річ Посполита or Річ Посполита Обох Народів), an elective monarchy in Central and Eastern Europe, existing from 1569 until 1795
- Republic of Genoa (English:the Most Serene Republic of Genoa; Italian: Repubblica di Genova), an independent state based in present-day Liguria on the northwestern Italian coast from ca. 1100 to 1805. Long just plain "Republic", the honorific "Most Serene" was only added after the election of the first Doge of Genoa (1339). Even so, to distinguish itself from its ancient rival, the Genoese rarely used it, opting more frequently for the appellation "Superb Republic" (Italian: La Superba Repubblica), a nickname allegedly coined by Petrarch in 1358.
- San Marino (English: the Most Serene Republic of San Marino; Italian: Serenissima Repubblica di San Marino), a current independent state wholly surrounded by Italy, founded in 301.
Though the English translation may suggest that there can only be one "Most" Serene Republic, the original Italian Serenissima Repubblica does not have this connotation. A more accurate translation may be "Very Serene Republic"; however, "Most Serene" is traditional and arguably more mellifluous.
By custom, the appellation "Most Serene" is an indicator of sovereignty (cf. Serene Highness for a sovereign prince), consequently "Most Serene Republic" emphasizes the sovereignty of the republic.
Most Serene Republic may also refer to:
See also: Serene Highness
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