Medievalists.net

Where the Middle Ages Begin

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Features
  • News
  • Online Courses
  • Podcast
  • Patreon Login
  • About Us & More
    • About Us
    • Books
    • Videos
    • Films & TV
    • Medieval Studies Programs
    • Places To See
    • Teaching Resources
    • Articles

Medievalists.net

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Features
  • News
  • Online Courses
  • Podcast
  • Patreon Login
  • About Us & More
    • About Us
    • Books
    • Videos
    • Films & TV
    • Medieval Studies Programs
    • Places To See
    • Teaching Resources
    • Articles
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Articles

Glass Bridges: Cross-Cultural Exchange between Florence and the Ottoman Empire

by Sandra Alvarez
July 24, 2013

Mohammed entering ConstantinopleGlass Bridges: Cross-Cultural Exchange between Florence and the Ottoman Empire 

Reena Devi (University of Edinburgh)

Master’s Thesis, University of Edinburgh (2009)

Abstract

The exchange of objects and people across physical borders amidst an atmosphere of cultural and religious differences holds a relevance that transcends time, echoing throughout the pages of history and persisting in the twenty-first century. This movement of objects and people through the means of trade, travel and diplomatic exchange forms the basis of multi-faceted cross-cultural relations, at times even creating a sense of cultural convergence. This concept will be examined in this paper through the analysis of interactions and exchanges between the Ottoman Empire and Florence. Only upon grasping the literal movement of objects and people across physical borders, the metaphorical movements between faith and skepticism, order and chaos, exteriority and interiority can be fully understood. Even objects of trade are based on an idea, a preconceived notion the buyers possess regarding the specific object or material, reflecting in the sellers’ perceptions of the buyers’ demand for it. Such a web of ideas and thoughts form the crux of cross-cultural interactions, which occur against the backdrop of tension, created by the push and pull of opposing religious beliefs and social biases. Hence, it is necessary to first consider the crusading rhetoric and religious conflict which was an important undercurrent in the relationship between Italian city-states such as Florence and the Ottoman Empire.

The fall of Constantinople on 29 May 1453, after an intense and aggressive siege by the Ottoman Turks, has often been cited as a turning point in the ties between Europe and the Levant, specifically with the Ottoman Empire. Powerful crusading rhetoric echoed throughout the continent in the years that followed. By late fifteenth century, the term ‘barbarian’ became popular in describing the Ottoman Turks, its ideological relevance mainly due to the unrelenting pace of Turkish advance. Yet it was events such as the failed crusade at Nicopolis (1396) that may have forced Florentine scholar and statesmen Coluccio Salutati (1331-1406) to rise above the crusading polemic and consider the Ottoman’s military and social organization. His description of the power and ambition of the Turks was admittedly designed to alarm his contemporaries. However, his description of Turkish customs indicated a keen interest in their culture and displayed more accurate knowledge than he had previously demonstrated in earlier writings.

Click here to read this thesis from the University of Edinburgh

Subscribe to Medievalverse




Related Posts

  • Image Making in Byzantium, Sasanian Persia and the Early Muslim World
  • Agricultural Productivity in the Early Ottoman Empire
  • The Making of Kanun Law in the Ottoman Empire, 1300-1600
  • Anglo-Saxon and Viking Works of the Needle: Some Artistic Currents in Cross-Cultural Exchange
  • Value and symbolic practices: objects, exchanges, and associations in the Italian courts (1450-1500)
TagsChristianity in the Middle Ages • Constantinople • Crusades • Early Modern Period • Europe in the Middle Ages • Fifteenth Century • Fourteenth Century • Islam in the Middle Ages • Later Middle Ages • Levantines (Latin Christians) • Medieval Florence • Medieval Italy • Medieval Military History • Medieval Social History • Naples • Ottoman Empire • Renaissance • Turkey

Post navigation

Previous Post Previous Post
Next Post Next Post

Medievalists Membership

Become a member to get ad-free access to our website and our articles. Thank you for supporting our website!

Sign Up Member Login

More from Medievalists.net

Become a Patron

We've created a Patreon for Medievalists.net as we want to transition to a more community-funded model.

 

We aim to be the leading content provider about all things medieval. Our website, podcast and Youtube page offers news and resources about the Middle Ages. We hope that are our audience wants to support us so that we can further develop our podcast, hire more writers, build more content, and remove the advertising on our platforms. This will also allow our fans to get more involved in what content we do produce.

Become a Patron Member Login

Medievalists.net

Footer Menu

  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Copyright © 2025 Medievalists.net
  • Powered by WordPress
  • Theme: Uku by Elmastudio
Follow us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter