Bailo

Bailo (it. bailo, Ottoman بایلوس, IA Baylos ) was since 1082 the title of the Venetian ambassador in Constantinople, based in Constantinople Opel, and from 1454 to 1797 in the Ottoman Empire. The word corresponds to the French Bailli, in the German area, the term Vogt corresponds (see the official designation Bailiwick of Jersey for the British or the German name Kronbesitz bailiwick ).

Election and duties

The Bailo was first elected by the Great Council for 1-2 years, from 1503 for three years. He had two assistants ( consiliarii ), which were also sent from Venice. More Baili sat in Tyre and in Ayas ( Lajazzo ).

The Bailo functioned as the administrative head of the Venetian trading colony in Constantinople Opel and as their representative towards the Ottoman Government, as well as diplomatic representatives of Venice. He was also the consular officer and judge for Venetians and other traders who sailed in the Levant under Venetian flag. His responsibilities included the supervision of four Venetian churches in Istanbul Opel, moreover also efforts for the release of enslaved Christians.

With the exception of the consuls of Aleppo and Alexandria (Cairo ), the posting, the Grand Council had reserved, the Constantinople Bailo certain all Venetian consuls in the Levant, for example in 1586 in Izmir, Fochie ( Foça ), Mytilene and Anatolia, Chios, Gallipoli, Silivri, Palermo, Rhodes.

All Baili came from the Venetian patriciate, the candidate circle of around 100 people was, an " oligarchy within an oligarchy ."

In the 16th century, due to the increasingly difficult political situation of Venice ( Ottoman- Venetian wars, transition of the protectorate over the Catholics in France), the Bailo 's most important diplomatic post of the Republic. The Office was regarded as a springboard for higher ecclesiastical and secular offices. The data sent by the Baili to the Signoria reports ( dispacci ) are historically valuable. De oldest preserved date from the years 1484 and 1485 by Pietro Bembo and his secretary Giovanni Dario. The general experience and ideas were presented to the Senate at the end of the mandate in the Finalrelazionen and writing. This is where the tradition with a summary in 1496.