Final answer:
Between 1200 and 1450, Venice and Genoa were bitter rivals competing for control of trade routes, not allies. They experienced economic prosperity due to their roles in maritime trade and were certainly not landlocked, with Venice being a cluster of islands and Genoa situated on the coast.b) They were bitter rivals.
Step-by-step explanation:
From 1200 to 1450, Venice and Genoa were not allies but rather bitter rivals. Throughout this period, the two city-states were engaged in intense economic and naval competition. Genoa and Venice both sought control over trade routes and were prominent maritime republics. The competition was so significant that it occasionally escalated into open warfare, such as the War of Chioggia, part of the larger conflict known as the Venetian-Genoese Wars.
Far from experiencing economic decline, both Venice and Genoa thrived during this time, largely due to their crucial roles in maritime trade. They benefited from the disruption of the Byzantine Empire, which previously dominated trade in the region, and the consequent opening up of opportunities for these Italian city-states. Additionally, neither Venice nor Genoa was landlocked; Venice was famously a cluster of islands linked by canals and bridges, serving as a gateway between Europe and the east, while Genoa was positioned on the coast with access to maritime trade routes.