Original sentence: Although Venice declined as a seaborne empire, it remained in possession of its continental domain north of the Po valley, extending west almost to Milan.Many of its cities benefited greatly from the Pax Venetiae (Venetian peace) throughout the 18th century
Edited sentence: The decline of Venice as a seaborne empire should not obscure the fact that the Republic remained in undisturbed possession of its vast and rich continental domain north of the Po valley extending west almost to the walls of Milan.Treviso, Vicenza, Padova, Verona, Brescia, Bergamo, not to mention Venice itself, benefited handsomely from the Pax Venetiae (Venetian peace) throughout the allegedly decadent 18th century