engleski

For the Benefit of the Family and the City: Marital Networking of the New Citizens in Late Medieval Dubrovnik

The paper analyzes the social networking of newcomers in Dubrovnik in the late Middle Ages, with a special emphasis on the analysis of marriage ties in the context of networking among the new citizens. As it turned out, business associations with persons who enjoyed a certain social and economic importance went hand in hand with marriages. Through them, foundations were built for companies, physical capital was provided in the form of dowries, a better place in society was secured, and the circle was more and more closing with ever-increasing endogamy. Parallel with this process of familial, social, and business networking, at the end of the Middle Ages the title of Ragusan citizen (citttadino) had no longer only legal connotations, but took on a status meaning. A social stratum was formed, based on the many newcomers who arrived in the city during the 14th and 15th centuries, and who, due to the closed nature of the ruling aristocratic class, could not participate in Dubrovnik’s politics and government, but nevertheless affirmed themselves as the city’s social elite. In this process, the support of relatives, both agnatic and cognate, was very important. Therefore, the marriage strategy of the new citizens of Dubrovnik aimed at strengthening the family and its economic and social prosperity. Marriage ties paved the path from newcomer to citizen, weaving a network of influences, interests, and friendships.

newcomers, family, Dubrovnik, citizens, citizenship, marriages, social networking

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