Here are some more notes I found:
12th-13th century:
A merchant fleet leaving Venice for Alexandria, Cyprus and Syria could only make 1 voyage per year. It would leave in March, return in September or leave in August, stay in the East and return next Spring.
15th-16th century:
The same fleet would make 2 voyages per year.
Leaving in January or February,loading in the East in March, returning in Venice in May or June. Would leave again in July, load in the East in September and come back home around Christmas time. The main goods traded from Syria were cotton and alum.
Around 1400, the biggest ship was 400 tons. By 1500, over 1000 tons. They traded wine between Crete and England and grain with Cyprus.
Their main products by the 15th century were: Salt,grain,wine,oil and cotton.
After that their commerce started to decline because of their competitors from Genoa, and Spain.
It's fascinating to learn about their history throughout the Middle Age and renaissance. They constantly fought against each other (European countries), sometimes siding with the Ottoman Empire, sometimes making alliance against the same Ottomans.
Later came the competition between Spain and Portugal to find a shorter route to India, then the English, the Dutch, the Americans fought each others all because of the Spices, slaves, precious metals.
I love researching on the subject. ๐
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Author
Venetian merchant activities in 12th-16th centuries.
