TRADE AND COMPETITION IN OTTOMAN BALKAN: MERCHANTS OF DUBROVNIK IN RUMELI (1600-1630)

Abstract

The Ragusan merchants who had connections with local merchants and raw material producers in Rumalian cities by the trade agencies or directly by themselves had to compete with local rulers, local merchants, Venetians and Jewish brokers in the first quarter of the XVII.th century. Venice’s attempts to make Spilato port as an arrival point for the trade caravans which come from Balkans caused the reaction of Dubrovnik but these reactions did not prevent the rise of the port. Jews embarked a ruthless struggle in order not to give rein of the control of local market to Dubrovniks. The economic changes which were occurred at the beginning of 17th century directly affected the Dubrovnik. This little city state’s competition with British, Dutch or French traders obviously cannot be expected. At the best it could integrate local/regional trade circumstances. Therefore this study will be an effort to portray how successful the Dubrovnik merchants