Amidst the turmoil where countless nations rise and fall, the city-state of Venice has steadfastly maintained its independence and prosperity.
Currently, Venice is recognized as the most beautiful republic, having emerged as the strongest navy power through its exceptional diplomacy and rigorous nationalism. However, the status of being the strongest is always under threat from challengers, prompting constant vigilance over the international balance of power.
The recent expansion of the Ottomans, who have begun to dominate not only Anatolia but also the Balkans, poses a significant threat to Venice. Unable to intervene hastily, Venice waited anxiously, until the opportune appearance of Mustafa, the last son of Bayezid. Whether he truly is Bayezid’s youngest son is irrelevant. If he can shake the Ottoman throne, Venice intends to make him real.
What Venice did not anticipate was the completely different stance of the Prince of Morea, who was known to be wary of the Ottomans.
According to Venice’s expectations, Morea should have cooperated to pressure the Ottomans on two fronts as soon as support for Mustafa emerged. But in reality, Morea joined the war not as Serbia’s ally but as an Ottoman ally, and the Empire took no measures against Morea’s decision.
The arrival of the prince’s letter at the Venetian Senate came just as the chief magistrate was contemplating the situation with dismay.
Shortly after, Venice’s chief magistrate, Mocenigo, read a letter from Constantine Dragases, the ruler of Morea, expressing both admiration and grief. From the moment Mocenigo became chief magistrate, the name Dragases, once considered just a rash youth, had intermittently surfaced. Now, this name had become a decisive arrow altering the dynamics of the Balkans.
It was only natural that the exploits of this audacious prince reached Venice, which had established close ties with the Empire to monopolize trade through the Bosporus. Even in 1412, when Musa Çelebi besieged Constantinople, he had shown a composure beyond his years, playing a key role in the city’s defense.
Moreover, news of his campaign at a young age, resulting in the capture of the Achaea region, was a shocking revelation. Western European kings and nobles, embroiled in their conflicts, were likely unaware of the name Dragases or his potential feats.
But to Mocenigo, Prince Dragases appeared to be someone who would inevitably achieve something significant after a risky tug-of-war.
He pushed forward, step by step, toward the outcome his courage would yield, even if it meant shortening his lifespan on the cliff edge of grim reality.
Whether it led to complete ruin or overcoming trials, he pressed on unflinchingly.
Perhaps his position as a prince of an empire on the brink of collapse shaped him this way. Mocenigo held Prince Dragases in much higher regard than others did, to the point of wishing for an alliance through marriage, if only the prince weren’t already married.
This admiration, however, also gave rise to caution regarding the prince’s capabilities.
What might happen if Venice empowered Prince Dragases further? Could it completely disrupt the balance of power in the Aegean Sea?
Despite these doubts, the geopolitical situation urged support for the prince.
To continue dominating the Aegean and the Bosporus as the rising Ottoman threat needed to be curtailed.
For Venice, the prince had presented a tempting offer:
“Cover half the contract and maintenance costs for the mercenaries Morea will employ. In return, I will grant you trade monopolies and settlements in central Greece, and promise to protect Venetian merchants stationed there.”
At first glance, it might seem somewhat submissive, but Morea’s significance was not so simple. Despite Prince Dragases’ independent actions, Morea was nominally and internationally a duchy under the Empire, which was allied with the Ottomans. This made the treaty’s core all the more significant.
Should Venice retract its support for the mercenary expenses, the Empire—or rather, Morea—could not guarantee the safety of Venetian settlements. This was the implicit threat in the treaty. It might seem trivial, but it could be a bold foresight of a newly forming power structure.
The inevitable deterioration of relations following a confrontation with the Ottoman’s new fleet would require Venice to bear substantial defense costs. Venice needed a diplomatic strategy to counter the Ottoman forces without directly engaging.
Through his actions, the prince pointed out the global situation:
“You can solidify your dominance over the Aegean. By shouldering half the defense costs, you can govern your colonies more securely.”
This is why Mocenigo paid keen attention to Prince Dragases.
Prince Dragases surely reviewed every aspect of this sequence before proceeding. Had he been fully grown on the day Bayezid died, history might have taken a different course. Mocenigo let out another sigh.
“Did such a figure only emerge when ruin was at our doorstep?”
With conditions like these, even the Senate could be moved. Every indication pointed to it serving Venice’s national interest. Even if Morea were to subjugate all of southern Balkans, it wouldn’t easily topple the mighty Ottomans, thus maintaining a facade of balance.
While making this rational judgment, Mocenigo couldn’t help but wonder how far Prince Dragases could go.
Since ancient times, great heroes have always had formidable rivals.
Who would be the great hero, and who would be the one to elevate the hero’s fame as a sacrifice? Is the hero chosen by the times the one rising anew or the one reviving a fallen past glory?
Roughly a month later.
Venice had anchored a fleet of about thirty ships off the southern Peloponnese. Being near the Adriatic Sea, where Venetian influence was overwhelming, made it difficult for Ottoman scouts to approach easily.
On the deck, Venetian Admiral Foscari, gently caressing his sword, finally received the awaited letter. The letter reported that Prince Dragases had finally commenced his advance on Athens.
“Prince Dragases has finally made his move.”
He recalled their brief conversation from when they headed towards the millennia-old city. Eyes brimming with determination, pride, and conviction conveyed the dignity of a ruler. He also possessed an unyielding spirit that withstood even the fiercest tides. His bearing was akin to the noble knightly figures from the legendary tales.
For such a person, there were only two possible ends:
A tragic downfall…
Or becoming a great leader.
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