Island of Discord: Tenedos in the Fourteenth-Century Byzantine-Venetian Relations

This article examines the history of Venice’s struggle for control over Byzantine island Tenedos. In Late Middle Ages, this was great strategic importance, since its owner could passage ships through Hellespont to Marmara and Pontos. Following fourth Crusade, Venice captured Tenedos, but Byzantium returned in 1305. Throughout fourteenth century, La Serenissima repeatedly attempted get cession from Empire, nevertheless, avoiding military conflict preferring solve “Tenedos question” by diplomacy. second half Venetians, taking advantage conflicts within ruling imperial family, offered financial assistance one parties several times exchange transfer island. The fate Tenedos also discussed during diplomatic meetings negotiations. Emperor John V Palaiologos, searching alliance with Venice, promised times, never realized it. result, using weakening seized 1376. capture Venetians disputed Genoese led a war (1379–1381), which occupied position an outside observer. not only illustrates peculiarities political contacts between reflects changes geopolitical situation Eastern Mediterranean as final decline Empire intensification Venetian–Genoese contradictions.