Who were the true ruling class of Italian City states? *1 pointPowerfulPopeWarrior KingsWealthy MerchantsNone of the Above

The true ruling class of Italian City states were the Wealthy Merchants.

Here's a step-by-step explanation:

1. During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, Italy was divided into city-states.
2. These city-states were not ruled by kings or queens, as was common in other parts of Europe at the time.
3. Instead, they were often controlled by wealthy merchant families. These families gained their power through trade and commerce, not through hereditary titles or military conquest.
4. The Pope, while a significant religious figure, did not rule the city-states. His power was more spiritual than political.
5. Warrior Kings were not the ruling class of Italian City states either. While there were certainly warriors and military leaders in these city-states, they were not the ones in control.
6. Therefore, the answer is "Wealthy Merchants".