Republic of Ragusa

former maritime republic in southeast Europe

The Republic of Ragusa (Dalmatian: Republica de Ragusa; Latin: Respublica Ragusina; Italian: Repubblica di Ragusa; Croatian: Dubrovačka Republika, lit.'Dubrovnik Republic'; Venetian: Repùblega de Raguxa) was an Italian trading republic. Its capital was in Dubrovnik, Croatia. It existed from the 14th century to the 19th century, when it was conquered by Napoleon

Republic of Ragusa
Republica de Ragusa  (Dalmatian)
Respublica Ragusina  (Latin)
Repubblica di Ragusa  (Italian)
Dubrovačka Republika  (Croatian)
Repùblega de Raguxa  (Venetian)
1358–1808
Coat of arms of Ragusa
Coat of arms
Motto: Latin: Non bene pro toto libertas venditur auro
Croatian: Sloboda se ne prodaje za sve zlato svijeta
Italian: La libertà non-si vende nemmeno per tutto l'oro del mondo
"Liberty is not sold for all the gold in the world"
Borders of the Republic of Ragusa, from 1426 (encompassing also the area labelled "Neum" until 1718)
Borders of the Republic of Ragusa, from 1426 (encompassing also the area labelled "Neum" until 1718)
StatusSovereign state which was a Tributary state of:[source?]
CapitalRagusa (Dubrovnik)
42°39′N 18°04′E / 42.650°N 18.067°E / 42.650; 18.067
Common languages
Official[1]
Religion
Roman Catholic
GovernmentAristocratic merchant republic (city-state)
Rector as Head of state 
• 1358
Nikša Sorgo
• 1807-1808
Sabo Giorgi
Historical eraMiddle Ages, Renaissance, Early modern period
• City established
c. 614
• Established
1358
• Fourth Crusade
(Venetian invasion)

1205
27 May 1358
• Ottoman tributary
from 1458
from 1684
26 May 1806
9 July 1807
31 January 1808
CurrencyRagusa perpera and others
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Republic of Venice
Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy
Illyrian Provinces
Sanjak of Herzegovina
Today part ofCroatia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Montenegro
a A Romance language similar to both Italian and Romanian.[1]
b While present in the region even before the establishment of the Republic, Croatian, also referred to as Slavic or Illyrian at the time, had not become widely spoken until late 15th century.[1]
Dubrovnik before the 1667 earthquake
Painting of Dubrovnik from 1667

References change

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Lodge & Pugh 2007, pp. 235–238.