Arab Merchant Republics

[Tyg]

Despite the nice position astride the world's trade routes, why didn't we see medieval Arab merchant republics in similar model to Venice, Genoa, etc?

The Arab Caliphate and successor states didn't lack for naval potential vis-a-vis European competitors, and presumably they could pursue similar opportunities in trade or finance.

Is it possible for such a state to emerge from a relatively simple and elegant POD, or is this a fairly difficult and complex problem?

[SavoyTruffle]

Originally Posted by Tyg

Despite the nice position astride the world's trade routes, why didn't we see medieval Arab merchant republics in similar model to Venice, Genoa, etc?

The Arab Caliphate and successor states didn't lack for naval potential vis-a-vis European competitors, and presumably they could pursue similar opportunities in trade or finance.

Is it possible for such a state to emerge from a relatively simple and elegant POD, or is this a fairly difficult and complex problem?

It's a combination of religion and lack of necessity to form merchant republics.

[Ridwan Asher]

Originally Posted by SavoyTruffle

It's a combination of religion and lack of necessity to form merchant republics.

The bolded part I just can't get, though the other certainly do.

[DirtyCommie]

I could see an independent Socotran Archipelago becoming a merchant republic. Maybe not have it conquered by either Ethiopians or the Muslims?

[Malta Shah]

Wasn't Zanzibar pretty much this? The Venice of East Africa?

[Ridwan Asher]

Originally Posted by Tomb

Wasn't Zanzibar pretty much this? The Venice of East Africa?

Wasn't it Sultanate though ? Or was there some kind of such prior to Omani/Portuguese period ?

[Allen81]

Originally Posted by Tyg

Despite the nice position astride the world's trade routes, why didn't we see medieval Arab merchant republics in similar model to Venice, Genoa, etc?

The Arab Caliphate and successor states didn't lack for naval potential vis-a-vis European competitors, and presumably they could pursue similar opportunities in trade or finance.

Is it possible for such a state to emerge from a relatively simple and elegant POD, or is this a fairly difficult and complex problem?

I fear it will be quite complex.
The "merchant" republics in Italy originated in the characteristic geopolitical landscape of the peninsula. It all started with the disgregation of central power during the fall of the Western Roman Empire and developed during the struggle for defence in an hostile environment (pirates on the Mediterranean Sea, undeveloped and grossly dangerous mainland trade routes, growing interference by european kingdoms)...

To create maritime republics in the MidEast you need:

- declining/disappeared central power
- no strong patrons around (the cities have to defend themselves)
- dangerous/inaccesible land-based trade routes
- developed seafaring culture

It can happen, but it's quite difficult IMHO.

[MNP]

Originally Posted by Allen81

To create maritime republics in the MidEast you need:

- declining/disappeared central power
- no strong patrons around (the cities have to defend themselves)
- dangerous/inaccesible land-based trade routes
- developed seafaring culture

It can happen, but it's quite difficult IMHO.

The various tiny countries on the western side of the Persian Gulf fit this pretty well. Remember a few of them did become merchant republics in a fashion, but there were often larger powers around to dominate shipping or land-routes so they could never achieve a dominant position in trade.

[charl]

Originally Posted by Allen81

To create maritime republics in the MidEast you need:

- declining/disappeared central power
- no strong patrons around (the cities have to defend themselves)
- dangerous/inaccesible land-based trade routes
- developed seafaring culture

It can happen, but it's quite difficult IMHO.

That sounds like something that could definitely happen after the Caliphate falls apart when Bagdad was sacked.

[Malta Shah]

Originally Posted by Ridwan Asher

Wasn't it Sultanate though ? Or was there some kind of such prior to Omani/Portuguese period ?

Sure it was ruled by a Sultan but Venice was ruled by a Doge,
given the nature of the island's economics the Arab Merchant minority class no doubt exacted the greatest influence over the politics of the island.

[charl]

Originally Posted by Tomb

Sure it was ruled by a Sultan but Venice was ruled by a Doge,
given the nature of the island's economics the Arab Merchant minority class no doubt exacted the greatest influence over the politics of the island.

The difference is that the Doge was an elected position whereas a Sultan is hereditary.

[King Gorilla]

Originally Posted by Allen81

I fear it will be quite complex.
The "merchant" republics in Italy originated in the characteristic geopolitical landscape of the peninsula. It all started with the disgregation of central power during the fall of the Western Roman Empire and developed during the struggle for defence in an hostile environment (pirates on the Mediterranean Sea, undeveloped and grossly dangerous mainland trade routes, growing interference by european kingdoms)...

How about this. The Caliphate collapses prematurely, its death brought on by a vicious succession war followed by opportunistic outside invasions by Turkish tribes, and the Byzantines. Mesopotamia and Persia are broken into dozens of waring state lets dominated by a new Turkic warrior aristocracy. The Byzantines regain Antioch, and reassert authority over the kingdoms and principalities of the Caucuses. The center of the Arabic/Islamic world shifts to Cairo which consolidates itself into a fairly powerful state, however its unable to control the overland trade routes to Asia. The volume of trade falls dramatically, creating opportunity for would be, merchant princes.

In port cities such as Oman, Basra, Qatar, Yeman, Aden, Mogadishu, and Zanzibar vast fleets of dhows are gradually assembled. They serve as middlemen, trading the wealth of Europe, The Middle East, and Africa for the luxuries of the Orient. The Arab quarter quickly begins to dominate that city of Surat, merchant enclaves pepper the coast of Malabar, and in East Indies trade fleets war to dominate the trade in spice. The wealth and power of their merchants soon excedes that of their petty nobility, who are either disposed of, or kept with largely meaningless titles. Yet the merchant princes still need to establish their legitimacy, which they do through the construction of elaborate mosques and palaces, epic compositions of poetry, and impregnable fortifications. In these things, the merchant republics gradually come to exceed the glories of the Caliphate at the height of its power.

[Malta Shah]

Still,it had the best chance of forming one.

[Ridwan Asher]

Originally Posted by Tomb

Still,it had the best chance of forming one.

Now what's left is just how to make it into at least an elective monarchy...

[Faeelin]

Well Oman began as a quasi-republic. The Imam who led Oman initially was chosen by teh elite of Omani society, and it wasn't until the 17th century that Sultan Ibn Saif, the conqueror of Muscat, made it hereditary.

How you get this to continue is unclear to me, but it seems vaguely feasible.

[archaeogeek]

Originally Posted by Ridwan Asher

Now what's left is just how to make it into at least an elective monarchy...

Egypt could be workable; a dynasty switch (say, end of the fatimids) and you could have the mameluks decide to go for an elective style...

[Allen81]

I'm not an expert, so maybe my question is a little odd...but does the mamluk culture supported (or even contemplated) the idea of voting a leader? However, no-one force us to recreate maritime republics. We could try maritime principalities, the merchant class would be influential enough even without direct access to political power.

[Ridwan Asher]

Originally Posted by Allen81

I'm not an expert, so maybe my question is a little odd...but does the mamluk culture supported (or even contemplated) the idea of voting a leader? However, no-one force us to recreate maritime republics. We could try maritime principalities, the merchant class would be influential enough even without direct access to political power.

The OP said "Republics" though. I would agree that principalities will be easier to achieve....

[Grey Wolf]

Originally Posted by Ridwan Asher

The OP said "Republics" though. I would agree that principalities will be easier to achieve....

For a mercantile republic you require a number of competing families and their supporters privately owning trade.

Best Regards
Grey Wolf

[SavoyTruffle]

Yes - a hereditary monarchy lasts if the ruling family can maintain a hold on power for far longer than its competitors. If on the other hand, the oligarchy is more or less equal, then you can get a more republican setup.