the black death in early ottoman territories - Bilkent University

The outbreak of plague caused the migration of populations on the eastern border
of the empire, putting pressure on the local population and disturbing the balance
of power. In the same period, plague would also contribute to religiously-inspired
social unrest (see above, religious response).
Diplomacy
Plague would also have an impact on the relations between countries in less
bellicose ways. The Venetians for one were careful to display good diplomatic
manners towards the Ottomans when they themselves were struck with the
disease. Therefore, when the doge received an invitation by Mehmed II to attend
his sons' circumsion in March 1457, he did not send an envoy to represent him.
The doge excused himself blaming the "temporis pestiferi", that is the times of
plague and the "inabilitatem viarem" or impossibility to travel. He was represented
instead by the baylo, who was already staying in Constantinople. 382 Whether the
concern was genuine or merely a ruse to avoid giving expensive presents, fact is
that the North and Centre of Italy was indeed suffering from a plague outbreak in
those days. 383 Istanbul had been visited by an epidemic in 1455 and was
apparently plague-free, so that public celebrations could be held in an
appropriately festive atmosphere.
382 Maria Pia Pedani. In Nome del Gran Signore. Inviati Ottomani a Venezia dalla Caduta di
Costantinopoli alla Guerra di Candia. Venezia: Deputazione Editrice. 1994,142- 143. Another
invitation was sent by Mehmed II in 1479 for the circumcision of a grandson. Pedani does not
mention that the doge refused again, but as it happens there was again plague in North and Central
Italy ! For the plague outbreaks in Italy, see Capasso and Capelli, Le Epidemie di Peste in Abruzzo
dal 1348 al 1702, page 46.
383 Capasso and Capelli Le Epidemie di Peste in Abruzzo dal 1348 al 1702, page 64 give a
chronological overview of regional outbreaks without specifying the source or the cities concerned.
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