Interpersonal Networks of the First Ambassadors of Dubrovnik to the Sublime Porte

abstract:In 1430, after the Ottoman sultan Murad II had been assigned the role of arbitrator in the conflict between the people of Dubrovnik and the Bosnian duke Radoslav Pavlović over the territory of Konavle, the authorities of Dubrovnik decided to send ambassadors to the Sublime Porte for the first time. For even though the city fathers possessed practical knowledge and information about the customs, traditions, and culture of the Muslim lands, preparing missions to present Dubrovnik's interests in person at the Sublime Porte was difficult. In the period between the establishment of these first official diplomatic contacts and the time Dubrovnik become a tributary state of the Sublime Porte in 1458, new political and sociocultural circumstances arose that required different approaches and practices. During this time, Dubrovnik's leadership was forced to search for help, protection, and advice from all who could support their pragmatic goals. Analysis of these relationships yields valuable information on sources of support for the ambassadors, what kind of support and advice they sought, how that support was proffered, what rewards were given for support, what role was played by emotions in forging ties to the Sublime Porte, and the power of emotions to shape historical events.