Nikša Ragnina’s Manuscript as a Source of Information on the Budget of the Dubrovnik Republic in the 16th century Cover Image

Rukopis Nikše Ragnine kao izvor podataka o proračunu Dubrovačke Republike u 16. stoljeću
Nikša Ragnina’s Manuscript as a Source of Information on the Budget of the Dubrovnik Republic in the 16th century

Author(s): Rina Kralj-Brassard, Nella Lonza
Subject(s): Library and Information Science, Diplomatic history, Local History / Microhistory, 16th Century
Published by: Hrvatski institut za povijest
Keywords: Nikša Ragnina; Dubrovnik; 16th century; state budget; surplus;

Summary/Abstract: The paper analyses the content and determines the dating and authorship of the manuscript R 3464 from the Collection of Manuscripts and Old Books at the National and University Library in Zagreb. Based on the data concerning the type and amount of state revenues and expenditures of the Dubrovnik Republic recorded in this manuscript, the period to which the budget refers has been determined. The credibility of the manuscript structure has been verified by comparison with the historically closest reliable data on government revenues and expenditures from the early 17th century. The budget surplus shows the good state of public finances in the Dubrovnik Republic during the first quarter of the 16th century, while the structure of state revenues confirms the exceptional economic position of Dubrovnik. Although marked by multiple calculation errors, which indicate an unusual negligence towards numerical records, Ragnina’s review of the budget, which is here transcribed in the appendix, is a valuable testimony to the economy of the Dubrovnik Republic in the early 16th century.

  • Issue Year: 2020
  • Issue No: 59
  • Page Range: 143-163
  • Page Count: 21
  • Language: Croatian