Relationship Between Early Modern Venice And Ottoman Empire

Trade in Early Modern Venice and Ottoman Societies
The Mediterranean world in early modern times was exceptionally complex and divided, though at the same time connected in ways that allowed each to learn from the other without giving up their individuality. This paper’s intent is to delve into what made the trade relations between the Ottoman Empire and Christian Europe, with a heavy focus on Venice, function while allowing each side to retain its individuality and take from the other culture. The line between east and west was quite obvious, while at the same time transparent and fluid, in how people and ideas moved from one side to another.
The first step in having successful trade with a different group or person was being connected enough to comprehend their …show more content…
People invested large amounts of money into trade ventures between Constantinople and Venice. With trade came money, and with different currencies the method of exchange gained much needed attention. Bankers became very important aspects of a merchant’s life, and good bookkeeping was a necessity for all parties involved. The books had to line up between the Ottoman and Venetian merchants trading together, so they each had to keep their books in a similar manner in order to be easily comparable. The Ottomans did not always control Constantinople which was previously known as Byzantium and Venice had trade relations in Byzantium before its fall to the Ottomans. One particular Venetian Merchant who was probably very common has become very important in understanding pre-Ottoman trade in Constantinople. His name was Jachomo Badoer and his bookkeeping records are the only ones to be completely recovered from his time. By understanding pre-Ottoman and post Ottoman trade the differences that arose can be seen to a much further extent. He was very thorough in his bookkeeping, yet also interestingly enough he had a tendency to let small amounts