From the 13th to the 15th century cosmopolitism of the Ottoman and Safavid empires was decreasing. At the same time the European powers began looking at Middle Eastern markets for economic opportunities. They saw multicultural Islamic empires as trade and political partners to increase the importation from Balkans and the Silk Road. The permanent political and economic competition between the Safavid Persia and the Ottoman Empire reflects the process of progressive dissolvement of the homogeneous identity of the Dar al-Islam and the consolidation of the supranational state models. European Countries tried to build alliances with the two main relevant Islamic empires. In this perspective the Mediterranean preserved its central strategic and economic role but the complexity of the rivalry between Safavids and Ottomans and the diplomatic cooperation between them and Christian Europe can be understood only if we consider the peculiarities of the areas of cross-cultural exchanges: the Balkans, Caucasus and Persian Gulf. The Silk Road preserved his role of supply chain during the early modern period. Throughout this large area of exchange TOT process (Transfer of technology), identity syncretism, cross-cultural trade flourished. Ethnic and religious minorities played an important role in this expansion of international exchanges by establishing networks of communication and trade in separate markets. The multicultural nature of the market allowed the Republic of Venice, the Republic of Ragusa, the Ottoman Empire, and Safavid Empire to share technology and expand long-distance trade. The social and commercial networks encompassed the Balkans, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Safavid Iran, all major powers of the area-the Ottoman Empire, the Safavid Empires, the Republic of Ragusa and the Republic of Venice-, and they involved individuals belonging to five major religious groups (Catholic and Orthodox Christians, Jews of different congregation, and Sunni and Shiite Muslims).
The goal is to develop an interdisciplinary encounter between history, economy, sociology and anthropology using trans-methodological approaches and tools: databasing, social network analysis (SNA) and mapping.
The topic of the redefinition of cultural and economic cross-cultural exchange in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the Middle East includes a representative Mediterranean theme that has been strangely marginal to the international studies until the last decades. In particular, the context of the Balkans diasporas networks between the 15th century and the 18th century and their economic and social development need extensive research. Those heterogeneous fields will provide an opportunity for cross-methodology and exchanges of questions and perspectives, which will lead to mutual improvement of disciplinarian perspectives. The study will cover, in a multidisciplinary perspective, the development of long-distance trade, cross-cultural encounters; social and cultural exchanges, TOT dynamics, and the spread of business corporations.
Conclusions:
A series of interwoven studies with empirical depth, innovative conceptualizations and original argumentations to reinterpret the ways in which Balkans and Italy interacted through cultural and economic exchanges, are to be expected.
The Research Team will realize:
I - Research Innovation: (enrollment of a pos-doc with specific skills needed).
A Social network analysis of people interactions and the cross cultural exchanges.
A Digital map of trade and cross cultural exchange using advanced softwares of research.
II - Scientific communication:
1 international conference
1 proceeding publication* of an international conference**.
1 paper for each member of the project.
1 workshop of methodology.
III - Public dissemination
1 web page.
1 social network page
IV - Academic networking
Will be established an international network of scholars focused in order to prepare potential strong European research projects leaded by Sapienza University of Rome on partnership with other universities and institutes.
* all the publications of the project will be on Open Access
(license CC BY-NC-ND)
Conference will be public and opened to other qualified contribute: a CFP will be released at least 3 months before and a scientific committee will be established.