Week 3: Exchanging Cultures Through Trade

Dolmabahace Palace, a blend of both Eastern and Western styles.

Trade between two cities not only involved an exchange of wealth, but an exchange of cultural products, architecture, and even lifestyles. An exemplary case is the cultural exchange between Venice and the East, as “new spices, soaps, and cotton” entered into Venice, so did influential Eastern “silks, glass, porcelain, illustrated manuscripts… portable works of Islamic art” (Carboni, 2007). However, this cultural exchange was a slow process as trade itself was difficult, and individuals were always skeptical of new products and ideas that entered into their city.

                During the 16^th century, merchants mainly used land routes whenever possible since pirates threatened ships (Braudel, 1996). Venetian merchants would use land routes to carry non-perishable, valuables, and letters to Constantinople (Professor Villa’s lecture). They were safer, but they were also longer and slowed down trade. Another reason that cultural exchange was a slow process was due to neophobia, a fear of trying something new such as unfamiliar foods (Professor Villa’s lecture). This was the case with the tomato when it brought from the Old World to the New World. Historically, tomatoes were not accepted by European palates, but today, tomatoes are a crucial ingredient in many Italian dishes. Furthermore, there were cases where individuals rejected unfamiliar cultural elements, like the Moriscos who rejected Western civilization (Professor Villa’s lecture). Just like the acceptance of tomatoes by the Europeans, culture was exchanged and accepted between Venice and the Ottoman Empire.

            Venetians traded frequently with Constantinople under the Byzantine Empire during the 13^th and 14^th centuries, perpetuating Venice’s status as a wealthy and superior city. Venice came into contact with many of the East’s cultural elements, trading not only with Constantinople, but Syria and Egypt and imported goods such as silk and spices (Carboni, 2007). After the Ottoman Empire took control of Constantinople in 1453, the Ottoman still welcomed Venetian merchants into Constantinople. To further demonstrate the cultural exchange that happened, Venetian merchants remained in Constantinople, converted to Islam, and married women living there to trade (Carboni, 2007). When visiting Venice, one can see that the architecture is a blend of both European and Eastern influences. The exchange of culture between two culturally distinct cities was a two-way movement. Genoese merchants who frequented Constantinople erected Galata Tower in 1348 (Fleet, 2006), marking their presence in Constantinople, and continued to trade with Constantinople even when it was under the Ottoman’s control. Cultural elements of Western Europe were also imported into the Ottoman Empire as sultans were influenced by Western European styles, which were perceived as a sign of modernity starting in the 19^th century. For example, during my stay in Istanbul, I could see the blend of Eastern architecture with Western influences. The construction of Western-styled Dolmabahace Place was initiated by Sultan Abdulmecit as his new home in order to portray Constantinople (currently Istanbul) as a modernized city.  

            Trade was a means to enrich cities with new wealth and according to Braudel, was crucial in the development of a town by kick starting their economy (1996). By the 16^th century, Venetian lifestyle became fashionable and involved many leisurely activities (gambling and drinking), and many other cities wanted to imitate this lifestyle (Carboni, 2007). Their feasts became extremely extravagant such as the feasts that took place at Doge’s Palace and consisted of an appetizer, a first course, a main course, vegetables, and a final course (Wright, 1999). Courtesanas, prostitutes that were educated and even published renowned works of literature, also captured the pleasure of life in Venice (Carboni, 2007). However, trade bought so much more than wealth to a city. It also introduced distinct cultures.