Graf, Tobias P.
Der Preis der Diplomatie: Die Abrechnungen der kaiserlichen Gesandten an der Hohen Pforte, 1580–1583
In the wake of the recent material turn in historical scholarship, the material aspects of early modern diplomacy have begun to receive increasing attention. How was diplomacy funded? What objects were exchanged as part of diplomatic gift giving? Who was deemed important enough to be presented with gifts and at times even with bribes?
The present edition of previously unpublished expenditure accounts from the collection of the Haus-, Hof- und Staatsarchiv in Vienna drawn up by the Imperial ambassadors in Istanbul Joachim von Sinzendorff and Friedrich Preiner provide answers to these and many other questions asked by students of this new diplomatic history. With its extensive index and annotations which focus especially on identifying historical actors—and particularly Ottoman dignitaries—the volume is a helpful resource for historical research as well as teaching.