Note 128 — Chapter II · THE ORIGIN OF THE FLORENTINE COMMUNE.82
Linda Villari translation
Originally, Florence was divided in quarters (quartieri). The old city did not then comprise the part beyond the Arno, Oltrarno, which was only inhabited by a few "low folk of small account" (Villani, iv. 14). Afterwards, but from the earliest days of the Commune, the city was arranged in sestieri, of which the Oltrarno formed one. In the year 1343 (Villani, xii. 18) the division in four quarters was resumed.