Emotions shouldn`t be neglected, but rather taken seriously in order to understand better the complexity of political, and socio-cultural processes that they have generated. The study of emotions in ...the field of diplomacy is particularly promising, but requires precise definition of the term, explanation of the methodological approach and qualifications concerning the research possibilities that depend upon the nature of the archival sources. The goal of this article is to analyze how words used to signify emotions, which could be signified as negative, shaped practical decisions within certain socio-political and cultural contexts; in other words to demonstrate an active role of emotions in shaping and conducting practical diplomatic decisions. The study aims to underpin the reciprocal relations between emotions and actions illustrated by two case studies from the late medieval Ragusan history. The sources of an interest are preserved in the State archive in Dubrovnik, in the archival seria Lettere di Levante, which, among others, contains the instructions written by the city authorities to their envoys. Despite the fact that the instructions were a product of a long and sober-minded discussions, and therefore they aren`t usually abundant with words used to express certain emotions in them, places where those expressions appear are quite significant and can tell us more about how emotions were used as a tool of cognitive processes.
Ragusan attempts to expand the city territory in the 14th and 15th centuries found a stronghold almost regularly in diplomatic delegations whose representatives were most distinguished and wealthy ...aristocrats. Outcome of their missions was a result of complex calculations whose part were authorities they were entrusted with. Freedoms they enjoyed determined their diplomatic status, and they were formed according to importance of the mission, in relation to political circumstances in the region and new forms of communication which appeared as a result of progress of the society, development of administrative apparatus and more frequent contacts. Diplomatic practice indicated to necessity of flexibility in activity in order to save time, monitor the events on the spot and timely reaction, but changes were slow. Decisions about their authorities, contained in the text of the instruction, should have had effective results in promoting interests of the entire community but some ambassadors overstepped them, despite harsh sanctions.
The first diplomatic missions from Dubrovnik to the Sublime Porte played
an important role in forming the identity of their city. Ambassadors from Dubrovnik were empowered to represent their city ...during crucial moments in the Ottoman westward expansion. The success of their missions influenced the position the city had under new circumstances characterized by constant shifts in the balance of power. This essay is focused on oral declarations by Ragusan ambassadors, which
can be seen as an attempt to define, describe, and typify the community they are authorized to represent. Although these statements were used primarily to achieve various pragmatic aims, at the same time they can be perceived as an expression of the qualities of the city-state. Their messages reflected their beliefs, traditions, and customs of their culture in correlation with the specific conditions in which they functioned. Their choices depended on assessments of
their efficiency. However, sometimes their missions did not end with the desired outcome because their system of values did not correspond to that of an Islamic culture. Nevertheless, over time the initial confusion and concerns were eventually alleviated by the practical experience they acquired. An analysis of the verbal communication between Dubrovnik’s ambassadors and the Porte, from the establishment of formal diplomatic relations to the acceptance of a tributary relationship, facilitates an examination
of changes in the way they expressed their identity through verbal arguments and how they manipulated said arguments–in other words, how they wielded propaganda and ideology. In that sense, this verbal communication by the ambassadors is viewed as performativity that not only conveys a message but actively participates in its construction.
Ragusan attempts to expand the city territory in the 14th and 15th centuries found a stronghold almost regularly in diplomatic delegations whose representatives were most distinguished and wealthy ...aristocrats. Outcome of their missions was a result of complex calculations whose part were authorities they were entrusted with. Freedoms they enjoyed determined their diplomatic status, and they were formed according to importance of the mission, in relation to political circumstances in the region and new forms of communication which appeared as a result of progress of the society, development of administrative apparatus and more frequent contacts. Diplomatic practice indicated to necessity of flexibility in activity in order to save time, monitor the events on the spot and timely reaction, but changes were slow. Decisions about their authorities, contained in the text of the instruction, should have had effective results in promoting interests of the entire community but some ambassadors overstepped them, despite harsh sanctions.
The paper tackles the issue of the importance of diplomatic ritual and ceremonial in sending messages and creating the outcome of the negotiations regarding the expansion of the Dubrovnik territory ...at the end of the 14th century and in the first half of the 15th century. The composition and size of the embassy its level of equipment, clothes the ambassador wore, presents for chosen persons, their seeing-off and return to the city, formal speech, titles used, gestures, non-verbal communication, the place of the welcome of foreign ambassadors and their reception carried symbolic messages that expressed and formed a complex system of a social web of power and the relations of authorities, provided a recognisable identity to the parties in negotiations, and expressed the state ideology of the authority. The people of Dubrovnik confirmed their knowledge of the dominant ritual and ceremonial forms, which they knew how to adapt to their own interests and to the given historical moment. Adapted from the source document.
One of the significant characteristics of the Ragusan foreign affairs during the medieval period was avoiding armed conflicts. When the authorities did not manage to implement this endeavour, ...diplomacy played an important role in attempts to end them and insure damage reparations. In the first half of the fifteenth century the city of Dubrovnik was involved in Ragusan-Bosnian war (1403-1404) and the War of Konavle (1430-1433). During both conflicts the government turned for help to Duke Sandalj Hraniæ of Bosnia. During the first war, duke was in the process of rising to his fame, and the ending of this particular
Emotions shouldn`t be neglected, but rather taken seriously in order to understand better the complexity of political, and socio-cultural processes that they have generated. The study of emotions in ...the field of diplomacy is particularly promising, but requires precise definition of the term, explanation of the methodological approach and qualifications concerning the research possibilities that depend upon the nature of the archival sources. The goal of this article is to analyze how words used to signify emotions, which could be signified as negative, shaped practical decisions within certain socio-political and cultural contexts ; in other words to demonstrate an active role of emotions in shaping and conducting practical diplomatic decisions. The study aims to underpin the reciprocal relations between emotions and actions illustrated by two case studies from the late medieval Ragusan history. The sources of an interest are preserved in the State archive in Dubrovnik, in the archival seria Lettere di Levante, which, among others, contains the instructions written by the city authorities to their envoys. Despite the fact that the instructions were a product of a long and sober-minded discussions, and therefore they aren`t usually abundant with words used to express certain emotions in them, places where those expressions appear are quite significant and can tell us more about how emotions were used as a tool of cognitive processes.
Zovko-Šoštarić Valentina. Negative Emotions in Action – two Examples from the 15th Century Ragusan Diplomacy. In: Hiperboreea. Journal of History, vol. 6, N°1, 2019. pp. 5-15.
This book brings together a team of scholars representing a broad range of interests and new approaches in medieval studies to explore the interactions of secular power and sacral authority in ...central and southeastern Europe in the period. Contributors present new research on the region's political and legal history, nobility and government institutions, war and diplomacy, literature and literacy, sacred and secular art, archaeological research, heritage studies, and much more.
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