If a State is in danger – Since always, all over the world, a State with survival needs, surrounded by hostile States, either attacks or perishes; and, to save itself, it takes refuge in a more powerful State, in a higher Authority that can support and defend it in times of need (as, for example, Israel does today with the United States).
Barisone King of Arborea and Frederick Barbarossa – At the dawn of the past Millennium, since 1146, King Barisone I of the House of Lacon-Serra reigned over Arborea, in the center of the island. He was in constant conflict with the neighboring rulers of Càlari, Torres and Gallura, and aspired to subjugate them so as not to be subjugated himself.
For this reason, he turned to the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, stationed with his Court in Lombardy, hoping that, if he had awarded him the title of "King of Sardinia", he would have had the right to invade the neighbouring hostile kingdoms with the support of the Italian Ghibellines, and would have elevated Sardinia to a single, unitary sovereign Kingdom (obviously, under his rule).
The first Sardinian motto in History – And, completely absorbed in his dream of greatness, he launched the first Sardinian motto in History, having a seal minted with these leonine verses: est vis sardorum pariter regnum populorum (in free translation; the strength of the united Sardinians lies in a single kingdom formed by all the peoples). Emilio Lussu, in 1921, would have applauded him.
Barisone King of Sardinia – Unfortunately, to obtain the imperial title, money was needed, a lot of money, and he did not have it. So, he turned to the Genoese; and here is the mistake, because the Genoese are notoriously stingy. The doge of the Ligurian Republic lent him the 4000 silver marks needed for the trip, food, lodging and the imperial title that Barisone actually obtained on August 10, 1164 with a coronation ceremony in the cathedral of San Siro in Pavia; and for three days there were celebrations and hunts. Unfortunately, Barisone was not able to repay the large debt immediately, and, consequently, the Genoese held him hostage in their city for seven long years, until 1172.
