The Republic of Florence, or the Florentine Republic (Italian: Repubblica Fiorentina), was a state that was centered on the city of Florence, located in modern Tuscany, Italy. The republic originated in 1115, when the Florentine people rebelled against the Margraviate of Tuscany upon Margravine Matilda's death. The Florentines formed a commune in Matilda's place. The republic was ruled by a council, known as the signoria.