Cosmopolitan Networks in Commerce and Society 1660–1914

6
The Jewish Consuls in the Mediterranean and the
Holy Roman Empire during the Early Modern Period:
A Study in Economic and Diplomatic Networks
(1500–1800)
DANIEL JÜTTE
On the way to a Grand Prix race in 1896, a curious idea occurred to
Theodor Herzl. The Jewish state, whose foundation the Viennese
journalist had made his life’s goal at that time, should be headed by
a Jewish Doge. In his diary, the founder of modern Zionism had
already outlined the solemn ceremony:
The officials of all ministries, deputations from the cities, the
clergy, finally the High Priest of the capital city. The flag with
a guard of honor composed of generals. The Doge! And here
the procession attains its symbolic splendor. For, while all are
marching in gold-studded gala dress, the high priests under
canopies, the Doge will wear the garb of shame of a medieval
Jew, the pointed Jew’s hat and the yellow badge! (The procession
might move through the Ghetto, which will in any case be
constructed as a reminder and a memorial). 1
Nothing came of this vision, of course. The Jewish state was never to
have a Jewish Doge modelled on the Venetian one, even though
Herzl returned to the idea again and again.
Trans. Jonathan Uhlaner.
1 Theodor Herzl, The Complete Diaries of Theodor Herzl, ed. Raphael Patai,
trans. Harry Zohn, 5 vols. (New York, 1960), i. 57, entry for 9 June 1895: ‘ . . .
wäh rend alle in goldblitzenden Staatsgewändern, die Hohen Priester unter
Baldachinen gehen, hat der Doge die Schandtracht eines mittelalterlichen
Juden, den spitzen Judenhut und den gelben Fleck! (Der Zug geht vielleicht
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