Except I don't want an amalgamation; I distinctly want Venice. It is not semantics for me, and perhaps not for the rest who voted Other for Venice; it is the promise of a specific focus on a merchant empire (which, perhaps, is unfulfilled by the Netherlands or will be by Portugal, and would almost certainly be unfufilled by Italy), the promise of something unexpected or the expectation that the Venetian Empire resolves the problems of an incorporated Italian civ.
My exact thoughts. Plus, if we had Italy the same way we have Germany, as an amalgamation, then Rome shouldn't be a separate Civ, as it would be a part of this amalgamation. It would be like adding Modern Greece alongside Ancient Greece.
Whereas Venice had its distinct culture, even conquered Constantinople at one time if I am not mistaken, and would also fit very well with the new international trade routes.