Османците и ситуацията на Балканите, отразени в писмото на Бартоломео де Яно „За жестокостта на Турците“ (1438 г.)
The Ottomans and the Balkans’ Situation Reflected in Bartolomeo de Giano’s Letter Epistola de crudelitate Turcorum (1438)

Summary/Abstract: Bartolomeo de Giano is the author of the famous work Epistola de crudelitate Turcorum (Of the Turks’ cruelty). The text is a letter written in Constantinople on December 12, 1438. The author has lived during the same time as the events he describes occur. The letter showcases the problem of the upcoming Ottoman danger, as well as the Ottoman cruelty. The analysis of the work Epistola de crudelitate Turcorum of Bartolomeo de Giano shows that several main motives stand out – the lack of unity between the Western states and rulers, who are virtually uninterested in helping Byzantium and the Balkans to face and repel the new conquerors from the East; the growing Ottoman fear that ruled in Europe, characteristic of the Renaissance literature in the 15th century; the prevalent image of the Ottomans being rude, illiterate and wild people, who then become lords of Asia and the Balkans, famous for their extreme cruelty and tyranny. Giano stresses the danger for Europe that derives from the loss of ancient Christian values, which are persecuted by the Muslims; and even more frightening, the danger of losing the Christian religion as a whole because of the adoption of Islam by force or due to social and political reasons. The short-sighted policy of some Western nations, mainly Venice and Genoa who support the Ottomans, is also noted.

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