Early Modern Diplomacy27 Silvia Marzagalli: Early Modern Consuls as Agents of Diplomacy
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110672008-029
(1/6)
#histodons #history #earlymodern #consul #emdiplomacy @historikerinnen @womenknowhistory @earlymodern @histodons
@historikerinnen @womenknowhistory @earlymodern @histodons
It’s time to introduce another #handbook article and its author. Sivlia Mazargalli is professor Early Modern History at the University of Côte d’Azur and co-coordinator of the fascinating project "Atlantic Italies. Economic and Cultural Entanglements"
@historikerinnen @womenknowhistory @earlymodern @histodons
For the #handbook Mazargalli examines #earlymodern consuls as diplomatic actors, a topic on which she has published extensivly. (3/6)
@historikerinnen @womenknowhistory @earlymodern @histodons
Consuls were originally a Mediterranean phenomenon. While in the beginning a consul had jurisdiction over a a community abroad, overtime he became a state agent abroad. However, it would simplify matters to regard consuls only as state agents and the development of the consul system as part of the statebuilding process. Instead a number of factors came into play and consular posts were frequently established by chance. (4/6)
@historikerinnen @womenknowhistory @earlymodern @histodons
Consuls played an important role in information gathering and the daily life of economic relations. They assisted foreign diplomats and other travelers and helped smooth out commercial and political relations on the ground.
Consuls, or “short-sleeves diplomats” as Mazargalli calls them, were clearly subordinated to ambassadors. Nonetheless, they kept an eye on possible arising conflicts and informed their superiors, so that the diplomats could negotiate matters. (5/6)
@historikerinnen @womenknowhistory @earlymodern @histodons
Mazargalli argues that consuls were essential for understanding #earlymodern states as “as a conglomerate of conflicting personal and group interests”.
Moreover, focussing on consuls as diplomatic actors reminds us that #emdiplomacy is so much more than courtly audiences and #peace negotiations. The economic side needs much more attention, especially as contemporaries did not necessarily distinguish between economic and political #emdiplomacy. (6/6)