The military history of the Republic of Venice covers a period from the 8th century to the 18th century and includes a variety of conflicts. Venice first rose as a major military power through her participation in the Fourth Crusade, where Venetian troops were among those effecting the conquest of Constantinople. She then fought a protracted series of wars with Genoa and Pisa for domination of the Mediterranean trading routes. With the rise of the Ottoman Empire, the Republic lost her territories in the east as Cyprus and her strongholds in Morea were occupied; at the same time, the rise of the Visconti in Milan drew her into the condottiere warfare of Italy.