Activities of Italian Merchants in Mongol Persia

Introduction. The article deals with activities of Italian merchants in Mongol Persia (mid-thirteenth to late fourteenth centuries). The work analyzes economic, diplomatic and social impacts of Italians in trade networks of the Ilkhanate, as well as some factors that facilitated the integration of European merchants into the Mongol economic model. Particular attention is paid to financial issues, the interaction of Italian merchants with local elites and Mongol authorities, reasons behind the decline of their presence in the region. Goals. The study examines notarial documents and trade contracts for certain interconnections between trade endeavors and political changes in the Ilkhanate to provide a comprehensive analysis of the Italian commercial activities. As is shown herein, Italian merchants played not only commercial roles but also contributed significantly to diplomatic processes via facilitating negotiations between Mongol rulers and European powers. Materials and methods. The paper focuses on notarial documents relating to transactions and debt obligations, commercial contracts, wills of Italian merchants, diplomatic correspondence between European monarchs and rulers of the Ilkhanate, chronicles by Western and Eastern authors. The research involves both published and archival materials, the latter to have required special efforts of attribution and analysis. The employed interdisciplinary approach comprising historical, economic, and social analysis tools makes it possible to identify key aspects of Italian trade strategies in Persia. The work highlights some mechanisms of adaptation to the Mongol administrative system, including partnerships with local elites and participations in institutionalized forms of trade. Results. A most essential achievement is that the paper clarifies the factors behind the decline of Italian influence, such as shifts in the Ilkhanate’s religious policy and modifications of trade routes. It is emphasized that the experiences of Italian merchants in Persia illustrate how — in a context of dynamic political and economic changes — they were able not only to sustain but also to successfully leverage opportunities for cultural and regional exchange. Conclusions. The investigated activities of Italian merchants did leave a significant mark on the history of medieval trade, and demonstrate that personal initiatives, adaptation to new conditions, and a skillful combination of commercial and diplomatic interests could serve as powerful drivers of historical transformations.

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