Naslov
Dubrovnik’s ‘Antemurale Christianitatis’ The Rhetorical Strategy of the Dubrovnik Republic in Communication with the Roman Curia

Autori
Varezić, Nikša

Izvornik
RÖMISCHE HISTORISCHE MITTEILUNGEN (0080-3790) 64 (2022); 299-319

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
»Antemurale Christianitatis«, Dubrovačka Republika, diplomacija, Kandisjki rat
(»Antemurale Christianitatis«, Dubrovnik Republic, Diplomacy, Candian Wafr)

Sažetak
Probably the most important rhetorical strategy of the Dubrovnik Republic, traditio- nally used in dealing with Christian rulers in order to defend its state interests, was the one that supported the image of Dubrovnik as a ‘wall of Christianity’. Such a rhetorical argument was not chosen by chance. It was continuously present in diplo- matic documents from the Middle Ages onwards and throughout the early modern period. It is particularly represented in the framework of diplomatic communication with Papal Rome. Papal Rome was still seriously interested in supporting the existence of the Dubrov- nik Republic during the 17th century. In an effort to gain the addressee’s attention and achieve an effective outcome, Dubrovnik’s diplomatic rhetoric still used dif- ferent variations of the same basic discourse, which was not just a mere phrase, but also a certain reflection of real circumstances. The image of existence on the very border of Christendom, which highlighted the necessity of taking the repu- blic‘s needs into account, took on an additional dramatic note during the Candian War (1645–1669). Emphasizing the fragile position of the small republic located between the opposing Venetians and the Ottomans, the Dubrovnik Senate did not fail to point out the exceptional need to preserve Dubrovnik’s neutrality. Highli- ghting of the geostrategic importance of Dubrovnik and, accordingly, the necessity of maintaining it was particularly evident in the period after the earthquake of 1667.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

POVEZANOST RADA