Week 3: Imperial Networks in the Mediterranean and Cosmopolitan

Lindsey Nguyen 

Making of the Mediterranean 

Professor Villa 

October 27, 2015

Week 3: Imperial Networks in the Mediterranean and Cosmopolitan 

The Mediterranean served as the center for economic, social, and cultural exchange during the 16th century and its influence continues to prevail around the world today. The imperial networks of ports of European city states helped facilitate the Mediterranean in becoming a huge Cosmopolitan. Italian city states such as Genoa and Venice were particularly important in their trade relationships with the Ottoman empire. During my time in Turkey, I learned that the location of port cities promoted easy access to trade commerce, and inevitably brewed intellectual exchange. The literary works that we studied this week further validated this notion. Our focus this week examines the growth of the Mediterranean trade economy, and its consequences from the Italian perceptive.

Venice was one of Italy's most flourishing, and economically driven cities. In class, it was argued that Venice was considered unique by outsiders due to is political status as a Republic. Despite having a force field as their landscape, Venetians resisted participation in political conflict or warfare. They were viewed as peculiar for their liberal ways and enamored for their extravagant lifestyles. Their lavish lifestyles were portrayed in the two films, shown in class: Shakespeare's play adaptation of The Merchants of Venice, and Dangerous Beauty. Both films depicted Venetians and their high society adorned  in silk clothing, consuming only the most expensive foods. In addition to, both films highlighted the importance of courtesans to Italy, as they were among the most influential and educated women. 

The economic wealth of Venetians was in part, credited to their relations with Constantinople. However, Wright also describes Venetian's heavy reliance on the the Ottoman Empire, so when "its population reached seven hundred thousand in the late sixteenth century, sucking up all the wheat within reach to feed this enormous population, Venice had to seek suppliers closer to home" (Wright, 260). From the historical context and perspective of Italy, their lifestyle was only affordable through the reign of the Ottoman empire. It was in the utmost interest of the Genoese to maintain their relations with the Ottomans. Fleet notes "the Genoese merchant was an integral part of the embryonic Ottoman economy, not merely as an outside factor coming, taking and leaving, but as one of the functionaries of the state, for the Genoese and other Latin merchants operated as tax farmers for the Ottomans" (Fleet, 127). Through the literary works and cinematic depictions, it is evident that there existed a symbiotic relationship between Italian city states and the Ottoman empire. 

I decided to backpack across Europe for a month before the start of my program. I spent a solid ten days living alone in a vegan hostel located right behind the Galata tower. I found the atmosphere of the area to be comforting because it resembled art districts back in San Diego. I definitely noticed the presence of westernization- my hostel provided pancakes and fresh vegan muffins every morning. To my surprise, my school center ended up being in Galata as well. The area was filled with quaint coffeehouses, which I would describe as westernized and hipster. The Galata port that I saw everyday used to be one of the largest for domestic import and exports of commodified goods. It was incredible to take a stroll through that part of history. Similarly, on my trip to Venice, I was also taken aback at the floating city. I stood at Rialto bridge, not even knowing of its historical importance. My tour guide also pointed out Ponte TIttay bridge, where the courtesans used to take post at! Walking through Florence, I definitely notice the distinguishable wealth of the people here. All in all, the culture and society of today exist because of the many exchanges taken place in the Mediterranean.