Andreas Tietze Fellows

Dr. Enes Kurt

Project title: Mediterranean Correspondence: Ottoman Merchants and Economic Networks in the Late Ottoman Period

Fellowship period: 2025

In this research project, I will analyze 146 Ottoman Turkish letters from merchants in the 18th and 19th centuries housed in the manuscript collection of the Forschungsbibliothek Schloss Friedenstein in Gotha. My primary objective is to investigate the commodities involved in trade and consumption within the Mediterranean region during this period. Additionally, I aim to explore the historical origins of family businesses, as the letters I examine are written by individuals who are family members. Furthermore, I focus on the business practices and norms that govern commercial conduct during this era. The Ottoman Empire had a significant influence over a vast expanse of the Mediterranean, Black Sea, Red Sea, and parts of the Arabian/Persian Gulf. Through this lens, I examine the role of the Ottomans in regional trade networks and their impact on the economic dynamics in these areas.

The 18th and 19th centuries witnessed substantial growth in Ottoman-European trade, driven by the exchange of Ottoman raw materials and foodstuffs for Western industrial and colonial products. This integration of the Ottoman Empire into the global economy accelerated commercial activity in Mediterranean ports and the Aegean Islands, where trade networks flourished. A key focus of my research is the letters authored by family members, which provide a unique opportunity to trace the development of family businesses in the Ottoman context. I will transcribe these letters into the Latin script and translate them into English, systematically analyzing their linguistic and contextual features. This will allow me to identify commercial and social interaction patterns, offering insights into the functioning of business networks and the role of family ties in commerce.

In addition to these letters, I will draw on Ottoman archival documents, such as court records (şer’iyye sicilleri) and the Düvel-i Ecnebiye Defteri (Register of Foreign States), to enrich my analysis of the economic structures and trade practices of the time. Extensive research in various European archives will further inform my investigation of the broader dynamics of Ottoman-European trade relations. Throughout this process, I plan to present my findings at academic conferences, engage with scholars, and incorporate feedback into my work. Ultimately, this project aims to contribute to the limited body of studies on the dynamics of Ottoman trade and family businesses, offering a historical perspective on the interconnectedness of commerce, family, and social networks during the late Ottoman period.

Tunahan Durmaz (MA)

Project title: Of Bodily Fluids, Madness, and Fever: A History of Disease in the Ottoman Mediterranean, 1640‐1691

Fellowship period: 2025

TBA