number of their customers was increasing. It was a combustible situation and it had to come to a crisis. There is a need for classification here. The emergence of towns and the increase in numbers and importance of the bourgeoisie did not start in the 18th century. The start of the process was probably sometime in the 12th century. That was when the economic activities started to revive, after a long hibernation, roads were improved and trade commenced to leave the confines of the towns. The establishment of country fairs extended trade to international dimensions; at least by the standards of that age. Many of the bourgeoisie were already rich in the days of the Middle Ages. That was the norm in practically the whole of Europe. However, even at that age, being only rich was not always sufficient. The expression of Plato, thymos, the wish of all humans to be someone, was effective in the Middle Age too, and the rich bourgeoisie strove to become nobles, practically the only way to exercise their thymos. Since the time of the Renaissance, or even earlier, members of the rich bourgeoisie tended to purchase estates of offices, which afforded its owners a patent of nobility. In Italy, the practice was even earlier than the time of the Renaissance. Many of the renowned names of Italian history, like the Medicis, Sforzas, Estes, Gonzagas, etc. were either rich town people or condottieries, leaders of mercenary bands. None of them belonged to the original Italian aristocracy. T...
