Question

How did rule by a few or a small group work in the city states of Italy

Answer 1

Below are the choices that can be found elsewhere:

Only monarchies ruled the city-states.
Republics allowed representatives elected by the population to rule.
Oligarchies governed through councils and elected officials.
Within each city-state, all men gathered to form a quorum that created laws and governed.

And the answer is "Oligarchies governed through councils and elected officials."

Answer 2

Question: How did rule by a few or a small group work in the city states of Italy?

Answer: All city-states had collective governments, usually a narrow or broad oligarchy.

Explanation: City-states were self-governing states led and ruled by a city. They had control of the land outside their walls. All of the city-states had collective governments, usually a narrow or broad oligarchy except the Swiss city-states because their economies were based on manufacturing and trade. Geographical mountains and remoteness protected the Swiss city-states from outside rule. City-states rose in the Middle Ages in areas of Europe lacking strong territorial monarchies. North Italian towns obtained their independence from the Holy Roman Empire in the late twelfth century and in Germany, by the end of the Middle Ages, many towns had achieved the name of imperial free cities. Though they had obtained their freedom, they were expected to follow the Holy Roman Empire in foreign policy and when necessary, they would have to provide financial support.