The Role of Famagusta in Genoese Maritime Routes between the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries

Research on Genoese Famagusta has often concentrated on economic aspects. Scholars have frequently highlighted the commercial role of Famagusta in the eastern Mediterranean, with regard to its link with Genoa. In this paper I am presenting some results of a new line of research focused on the maritime and not only commercial Genoese network. Therefore, attention is on three aspects: the route to Famagusta in the broader context of the Genoese routes in the eastern Mediterranean; Famagusta’s ability to provide crews for the Genoeses’ galleys; and the capability of Famagusta’s port to harbour Genoese ships.