Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.21857/yl4okf57g9
The conspiracy of Gianluca Antica against the Ragusan Republic in 1635
Lovro Kunčević
; Institute for Historical Sciences of CASA in Dubrovnik
Abstract
The article analyses the letter written by the inhabitant of the island of Lastovo, an educated jurist Gianluca Antica, to the Venetian ambassador in Rome in the spring of 1635. In this extensive document, recently found in the State Archive of Venice, Antica explicates his plan to replace the Ragusan rule over Pelješac, Mljet, and Lastovo with that of Venice. He claims that the Ragusans have failed to fulfil the obligations they had undertaken in 1606, when the last rebellion of Lastovo ended with a compromise.
Antica extensively describes the various breaches of traditional privileges and violences committed by the Ragusan government against the inhabitants of his island, and, especially, against his own family, which had played a key role in the past rebellion.
Moreover, he offers a relatively detailed plan of action, suggesting several ways in which Venice could occupy these key Ragusan territories, also offering his assistance. Finally, Antica outlines the future status of his island under Venetian rule, trying to ensure its broad autonomy and economic privileges. His articulate and highly critical assessment of Ragusan rule offers a precious insight into the political microhistory of the Ragusan Republic, especially into numerous tensions between the peripheral and autonomous Lastovo and the central government in Ragusa itself. At the end of the article follows the transcription of Antica's letter together with excerpts of other Venetian documents regarding his attempted conspiracy against the Ragusan Republic.
Keywords
Lastovo, Ragusan Republic, Early modern period, political history, conspiracy, Lastovo rebellion
Hrčak ID:
311735
URI
Publication date:
20.12.2023.
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