Quantifying Ragusan Prosperity and Disproportionate East Mediterranean Role

Abstract

In this chapter we review the economic evolution showing as possible quantitative indicators to complement the qualitative historical evidence, and to “test” conventional hypotheses in that literature. The data covers years 1300–1800, but time-series shown are based on fragmentary and variable-quality data, as explained in the Appendix. The tests are meant to be preliminary at this stage, to be potentially made more rigorous in future research with use of primary data from the Dubrovnik Archives. In a few cases, the data is strongly consistent with conventional wisdom, but in most it is at best uncertain and raises many potential avenues for future research.