Lorenzo Miniati – А Secret Agent in Dubrovnik (1542–1567): According to Data from the Ragusan Archives Cover Image

Лоренцо Минијати - Тајни агент у Дубровнику (1542-1567) : према подацима из Дубровачког архива
Lorenzo Miniati – А Secret Agent in Dubrovnik (1542–1567): According to Data from the Ragusan Archives

Author(s): Radmilo Pekić
Subject(s): History
Published by: Центар за напредне средњовековне студије
Keywords: Lorenzo Miniati; Dubrovnik (Ragusa); trade; consul; secret agent; testament

Summary/Abstract: Florentine Lorenzo Miniati, mentioned in the famous conspiratory letters of Ragusan playwright Marin Držić, was active in Dubrovnik for about two and a half decades. From the 1540s up until 1567, he attained prominence as a successful merchant, dealing in various goods: grain, salt, metals, cloth, wool, raw material for dyeing (crvac – chermisium, grana), hides and other items. In his financial transactions, Miniati used both credit and bills of exchange. He issued insurance for transported goods at his own risk, but also as an intermediary on behalf of other merchants. After some time, he was appointed Florentine consul in Dubrovnik. In addition to his activities as merchant and consul, Miniati also operated as a secret agent under false identity. He sent confidential information from Dubrovnik to various addresses. Aware of the danger he was exposed to, he anticipated his own death and, although a relatively young and healthy man, personally wrote his will on the island of Korčula. Soon after, his life ended in a tragic way. Finally, it must be emphasized that this paper does not provide a full account of Miniati’s life and activities, as there is much information about him in Italian, Spanish and other archives.

  • Issue Year: 2013
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 187-203
  • Page Count: 17
  • Language: Serbian