La questione di Cipro in un documento inedito: la commissione per il pagamento del tributo tra Venezia e il Cairo nel 1490

Abstract

In 1489, the Venetian ambassador Pietro Diedo was sent to Cairo to negotiate with sultan Qāʾitbāy the annexation of the Kingdom of Cyprus to the Republic of Venice. The sultan set as a condition the recognition of the Sultanate’s sovereignty over the island and the continuation of the annual tribute previously paid by the Lusignan kings. Venice also had to settle two overdue installments of the tribute: of the agreed 16,000 ducats, 10,000 ducats were paid on-site, while the remaining 6,000 were requested by the sultan from Venice in the form of furs and textiles. The task of delivering these goods to Egypt was entrusted to Alvise de’ Piero, a ducal notary. This article examines the previously unpublished commission given to him by the Collegio, as well as the issue of tribute payment, highlighting the interest shown by Venetian governing councils in reaching a smooth resolution to formalize the annexation of the island.