venice’s maritime empire in the early modern period 187
all their inevitable imperfections, and to gain recognition of its own status
of Dominante and as just arbitrator in territories often torn by internal
conflicts. The Republic greatly depended on local elites, organized in the
communal councils, to function as intermediaries between itself and the
rest of the population, and it therefore was ready to defend their preroga-
tives and privileges, despite their abuse of power and corruption. From
the Venetian standpoint, as from that of all other colonial powers, there
was simply no other way of keeping the empire together.
Statutes and Capitoli
In those overseas colonies in which corporative bodies, with claims of
representing the entire territory, existed prior to the Venetian takeover, the
Venetian occupation was followed by negotiation with the representatives
of these bodies, resulting in the formulation of statutes (statuti) or to
the confirmation by the Senate of existing statutes with a few changes.
These documents later gained the status of a constitutional document,
tenaciously defended by local councils whenever they believed that
their rights were infringed upon in some way. In the Dalmatian towns in
particular, the statutes were considered a sacred code that could not be
modified by any means, symbolizing divine justice and legitimate rule.233
However, with the passage of time, new problems arose and new demands
were raised, which necessitated additions or changes in the laws that
governed the relations between the various colonies and the Dominante.
The mechanism of the capitoli was intended to satisfy these needs.
The statutes regulating local life and relations with the ruling power
were periodically updated and reformed through a process of negotia-
tions with representatives sent by the communities to Venice with a list
of requests (capitoli), which could then be approved (entirely or par-
tially), rejected or deferred pending the collection of further information.234
In this way, the rules governing the relations between Venice and its
colonies could develop according to changing circumstances, offering the
Venetian subjects some recompense for their loyalty, and giving Venice an
opportunity to demonstrate its good will toward its loyal subjects. In big-
ger territories, capitoli could be presented separately by representatives
of different towns, such as those of the three Cretan councils of Candia,
233 Pederin, “Die venezianische verwaltung... und ihre Organe,” pp. 109–110; Pederin,
“Die venezianische Verwaltung... (XVI–XVIII Jh.),” 194; Ortalli, “Il ruolo degli statuti.”
234 E.g., Yotopoulou-Sisilianou, Πρεσβείες.