British Academy: The UK's National Academy for the Humanities and Social Sciences
The Eastern Mediterranean in the Thirteenth century:
identities and allegiances
Abstract
The Role of Genoa and Pisa
Dr Catherine Otten
The sources showing Pisan and Genoese interest and involvement in Byzantium during the period 1204-1261 are less numerous and informative compared to those of the period preceeding the 4th Crusade. The latter consist of chrysobulls, important texts concerning the organisation of embassies, the description and organisation of the Pisan and Genoese quarters in Constantinople and commercial contracts. But it would be an error to think that the overwhelming presence of the Venetians in Constantinople and in other parts of the former Byzantine empire completely strangled the activity of the other Italian maritime Republics. It is true that the latter suffered a lot during the crusaders's assaults on the Capital in 1203 and 1204, their quarters were burnt. But evidence exists of a Genoese effort to maintain their presence next to their Venetian rivals, if not in Constantinople itself, on the islands of the empire (Corfu, Crete and Rhodes). They try to hamper their enemies ; expeditions are usually carried out by independant pirates, whom the Commune might support or disapprove. Their deeds are told in the chronicles or by Byzantine historians like Gregoras or Akropolites.
As to the Pisans, they remained in Constantinople under Frankish rule, but their wealth is a thing of the past, according to the prior of their churches ; the papal legate has to support their ecclesiastical establishment by granting them revenues of Greek monasteries, even outside Constantinople. For the period 1204-1261, the sources are silent on personal relationships between Pisans and Greeks, unlike the situation under the Angeloi, when Pisans had lent money to the future emperor Alexis III.
For both Tyrrhenian maritime Republics, their Italian politics is the main factor explaining their presence and activities in Byzantium in the first half of the XIIIth century. This is particularly true for Genoa ; its relationship with Venice is essential, but one should also consider its attitude toward the emperor Frederic II and the internal struggle between the factions. Next to its defeat in Acre, the changes in Genoese internal politic explain negotiations with Nicea which end with the treaty of Nymphaeon.
For both Genoa and Pisa, Byzantium is above all an economic space called Romania, the delimitation of which requires consideration in the light of the notarial deeds.