1. TRGOVAČKI ODNOSI ZETE I DUBROVNIKA OD 1385. DO 1403. GODINE.
- Author
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PREMOVIĆ, Marijan
- Abstract
The article deals with the trade relations between Zeta and Dubrovnik, during the reign of the master Đurađ II Stracimirović Balšić, starting from 1385, when he came to the throne, until his death in 1403. The economic development of Dubrovnik in the last decade of the 14th and during the first years of the 15th century attracted residents from the towns of Zeta, while, when it comes to the foreign politics, the inhabitants of Dubrovnik were adhering to the principle that when a new ruler or the district governor comes, they would seek confirmation of old privileges. In less than half a year after coming to power in Zeta, Đurađ II issued a charter to the people of Dubrovnik (January 27, 1386) confirming friendship and old trading privileges. The charter stipulates the legal position of the Dubrovnik and gives new commercial freedom: Đurađ prescribes that he will compensate for the damage suffered on his territory from his treasury, renounced the benefits from the transit customs in Danja, and guaranteed the protection from robbery and illegal charges, adding that his subjects will not take things from the ships that broke down in the shipwreck along the Zeta coastline and, finally, abolished all salt markets introduced after 1355. Through this charter, the people from Dubrovnik protected their trade, which was largely performed in Zeta and their land. At the same time, the master of Zeta was satisfied by a good cooperation, as the charter encouraged the economic development of his country. Commercial traffic was performed by land and sea. Land routes were divided into: the coastal ones (via de Zenta) and those from the coast to the interior of the country and the Balkan Peninsula (via Jesera). Ships loaded with goods sailed from Dubrovnik to the Adriatic Sea, or, more precisely, to Bar, Ulcinj and the monastery Sv. Srđa on the river Bojana. The larger ships from the Adriatic flowed into the river Bojana to the monastery of Sv. Srđ, where the market was located, from which the goods were taken over and transported by caravans to the interior of the Balkans. The most important economic center on the coast of Zeta was Ulcinj, and then Bar, while Budva was far behind the importance. The structure of the commodity exchange was as follows: from Dubrovik, grains, salt, fabrics and construction material were exported, and wood, butter (oil) and fish were imported from Zeta. An important factor in commercial traffic was the safety of roads. While working on the relations between Zeta and Dubrovnik, the research showed that the prohibitions and breaks of trade had a special significance. The discontinuation of trade links was most often due to the attack on the Dubrovnik merchants in Zeta (1386 and 1396), the introduc tion of new customs duties in Danja (1395) and Ulcinj (1396, 1397 and 1403), war conflicts (1392 and 1395) and the plague epidemic (1391 and 139 2). Trade relations were not solely limited to goods and transit traffic, since the financial operations were present, as well. The people from Zeta often borrowed money in Dubrovnik, under precisely envisaged conditions. The most common deadlines for repayment of loans were from one to six months. Borrowings ranged from 40 to 300 ducats. According to our compilation, the inhabitants of Zeta, during the period from 1389 to 1396 and 1401 were recorded in 42 pledges. Their total debt amounted to 6,734 ducats, 479 perpers and 148½ grouses. Traders have formed trade companies to unite financial assets, in order to earn profits faster and easier. Profit from trading and damages were usually divided between members of the company on equal shares or according to the invested capital. There were several business associations: the one between Vals and Vlahs from Ulcinj with Utešin Radosaljić (1392), Jurjen Drašinović from Bar with Ratko Pervanović from Lopud (1395) and so on. A small number of traders of Zeta gained trading success and wealth in business, and according to the stipulated conditions, they acquired Dubrovnik citizenship. In the period from 1385 to 1403, three groups of traders from Zeta acquired Dubrovnik citizenship. The first group consisted of wealthy traders, only one of their generations worked for a short or longer period in the city of Sv. Vlah: Stefan Marinov from Ulcinj (15th December 1388), Petar Suma from Drivasta (about 1388), Dinko called Duma Zogotić (around 1396) and Nikša Ratka Milčić (about 1400) from Bar. The second group was made up of rich families that were present in the social life of the Republic through several generations: Desin Nikolić (29 April 1391), Domo Tripetić (28th November 1397), Ivan Piković (the beginning of the 15th century) and Piero Cagn the beginning of the 15th century) from Bar, Pavle Martinović (around 1400) and Bartol Marinčetić (around 1400) from Ulcinj. The third group was represented by traders from very wealthy families who were received in the order of Antunin: Turčinović (2nd of January 1389), Stano (1st of August 1388), Stai from Bar (approximate time of arrival in 1400) who originated from Bar, Tripunović from Ratac and Tano from Ulcinj (1395). Based on the studied archival material from the Dubrovnik Archive we can safely conclude that, in spite of the minor interruptions, trade relations between Zeta and Dubrovnik in the era of Đurađ 2nd (1385-1403) were characterized by quite good trade relations. Their territorial proximity and business connections have contributed to the mutual economic development and pr osperity of this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
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