Treaty of Nymphaeum (1261)
Nymphaeum | |
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The Treaty of Nymphaeum was a
Nymphaion in March 1261. This treaty would have a major impact on both the restored Byzantine Empire
and the Republic of Genoa that would later dictate their histories for several centuries to come.
Background
Following the
Aegean islands,[3] and were a direct threat to Latin-controlled Constantinople,[4] but still no match against the Venetian fleet which the Latins were allied with. This was clearly shown in the joint Nicaean-Bulgarian siege of Constantinople in 1235, when the blockading Nicaean fleet, of allegedly 100 ships, was defeated by a Venetian force one quarter its size.[5] The failed Nicaean Siege of Constantinople
in 1260 also pressed the need further for a fleet on any future attack on Constantinople.
The treaty
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This naval deficiency led the Nicaean emperor,
Byzantine–Venetian Treaty of 1082, in which Venice gained considerable concessions from the Byzantine Empire.[8]
Results
Despite this treaty, Constantinople was
Catholic powers continued to threaten the Byzantine Empire with invasion, the treaty would remain in force, with minor modifications. For Genoa, the treaty had a major impact as it laid the foundations for their commercial empire in the Near East,[9] especially through the transformation of Galata (the Genoese suburb in Pera across the Golden Horn
) into the major commercial hub of the region. However, this would be a direct competition to Venice as this would threaten their trade position within the East as well.
In the long run, and especially after the death of Michael VIII, the Byzantine Empire would become a prisoner to the actions of both Genoa and Venice, as the commercial and naval supremacy that it once enjoyed would be usurped by both powers.[7]
See also
References
- ^ Shepherd 1911, p. 89.
- ^ a b Norwich 1997, p. 315.
- ^ Ostrogorsky 1969, p. 435.
- ^ Ostrogorsky 1969, p. 430.
- ^ Nicol 1988, p. 166.
- ^ a b Bartusis 1997, p. 39.
- ^ a b Ostrogorsky 1969, p. 449.
- ^ Ostrogorsky 1969, p. 359.
- ^ Norwich 1997, p. 316.
Sources
- Bartusis, Mark C. (1997). The Late Byzantine Army: Arms and Society 1204–1453. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania Press. ISBN 0-8122-1620-2.
- Ostrogorsky, George (1969). History of the Byzantine State. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press. ]
- ISBN 0-521-34157-4.
- ISBN 0-679-45088-2.
- Shepherd, William R. (1911). Historical Atlas. New York, New York: Henry Holt and Company.