engleski

Physician as Diplomats in the Renaissance Republic of Dubrovnik

The maritime city-state of Dubrovnik (Ragusa) situated on the Adriatic coast of Croatia was an important intermediary between the Western and Eastern Mediterranean. Between the 14th and the 16th century it developed a system of public health regulations that was among the most developed at that time and which became an example to other cities in Croatia and in Northern Italy. We are going to examine yet another aspect of the activities of the Ragusan physicians - the services which they performed in the role of diplomats. Many of them participated indirectly in the diplomatic service since the Ragusan government, as an act of goodwill, used to send them to treat the heads of state of neighboring countries. Sometimes they were also sent as diplomatic emissaries to Western European courts. After the Ottoman Empire conquered most of the Balkans, the Republic of Dubrovnik managed to keep its autonomy and protect its territory through successful negotiations with the Porte and by paying a tribute, just like Venice was paying a tribute for Cyprus and Zante. In return, Ragusa enjoyed a certain security in its commerce and payed a very low customs duty on imported goods. With its new neighbour, the Ottoman Empire, the Republic of Dubrovnik continued to maintain a policy of good relations to which the physicians contributed a great deal by taking care of pashas and beglerbegs who fell sick. The most prominent among them was Toma Natalis Budislavić who treated sultan Murat the Third in Istanbul. In those direct contacts, there was often some subtle, covert diplomatic activity which helped bridge differences and resolve problems. This presentation demonstrates that a small but strategically significant Republic of Dubrovnik was able to maintain professional diplomatic relations with the powerful Ottoman Empire for a long period of time without any major conflicts.

Republic of Dubrovnik; physicians; diplomats

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