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Glossary - Terms P

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Partito dei 'vecchi'
in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries the Venetian patrician classes experienced a profound division between those who were in favour of new cultural horizons, agreements with Protestant countries, and a new way of looking at economy and wealth (the so-called 'giovani' or young people) and those who, on the other hand, favoured the maintenance of old alliances, and more moderate and Spanish-influenced policy, inclined to defer to the Holy See
Passarowitz, peace of (1717)
treaty which concluded a renewal of conflict between Turks and European allies for the control of the Aegean archipelago and Dalmatia
Patria del Friuli
administrative district of the Land Dominion, ruled by a Venetian patrician (Lieutenant) living in Udine. The territory's outstanding characteristic was its vast extension of feudal jurisdiction. Patria del Friuli also included the legal districts ('podesterie') of Sacile, Pordenone, Monfalcone, and Cividale, governed by Venetians
Patron of the Arsenale
patrons were first mentioned in the mid-thirteenth century, but they originated even earlier. They were initially endowed with broad powers of surveillance and jurisdiction over the Arsenale. In time their importance diminished along with the increasing power of the Provveditori of the Arsenale; the Patrons only oversaw naval construction and maintained some technical powers
pike
a very long spear-like weapon with a sharp steel point, used in the infantry
Podestà
general term indicating a government post in the land and sea dominions entrusted to a Venetian representative, who administered civil and penal justice, and carried out other duties such as overseeing food provisioning, and road maintenance of a city and its surrounding territory. The duration of the position lasted from 16 to 30 months, according to the region
Prevesa
strategic outpost of fundamental importance for the military control of the islands of Zante and Cephalonia
Procurator of San Marco (residence of the Procurator)
this was the most important Venetian post after that of the Doge - and the Doge was actually selected in nearly all cases by the Procuratori. This was a position held for life. The first allusion to a procurator dates back to the year 829. Throughout the Middle Ages the number of procurators doubled from 3 to 6. In the sixteenth century their number grew greatly, largely because the position was awarded to those who gave the Republic certain sums of money. The procurators were entrusted with crucially important functions: they had jurisdiction over the Piazza and its buildings, as well as the churches and hospitals of Ducal patronage outside the city as well, and they also served as guardians of the Treasury and public documents. The citizens themselves gave them the power of executor over wills
Proto
Term indicating the principal supervisor of the artisans and workmen.
Provisions Administrator (Provveditore alle Biave)
an organisation entrusted to the provisioning of the capital city, but also endowed with jurisdiction over the land and sea states. It controlled bread outlets and the bakeries that produced biscuit for the military forces; it also controlled and fixed the price of bread
Provveditore all'Arsenal
composed of two Venetian noblemen, and instituted as an extraordinary measure in 1442, it was officially established c. 1520-30. It overlapped and actually wrested authority from the Patrons. The Provveditori exercised significant power over the financial and accounting divisions of the Arsenale
Provveditore extraordinario: (extraordinary)
noble Venetian, elected in periods of war or unusual tension, to supplement or replace an ordinary Provveditore Generale. They were usually charged with a particular 'mission', in which they were assigned specific tasks, work sectors, and powers of jurisdiction
Provveditore Generale of the Sea
a civilian and military position, instituted after the Peace of Passarowitz, responsible for coordinating other authorities administering the Ionian islands
Provveditore Generale of the Mainland
an extraordinary position open to Venetian noblemen charged with very large powers on the several sectors of public order, food provisioning and control of the military organisation
Provveditore of the Fleet ('Arms Administrator')
first created in 1467 during a war against the Turks, this office was officially established in the early sixteenth century. These officials were endowed with jurisdiction over arms, disarmament, provisioning, and control of all army units. They controlled crews and the careers of non-noble officials. They also held jurisdiction over the civilian disputes between crews, shipowners, and captains
Provveditore ordinario
civilian administrative position spread throughout both the land and sea territories, generally of minor importance in comparison to the post of podestà. The office was open to Venetian noblemen, who remained in the position for a period of 16 to 30 months
Provveditore sopra fortezze (Fortress Administrator), magistracy of fortresses
a magistracy established by the Senate in 1542, it was made up of 3 nobles who saw to the construction, maintenance and provisioning of the fortresses of the land and sea dominions

Viaggio virtuale tra le fonti storiche veneziane
Rotta: Venezia e il Levante (sec XV - sec XVIII)
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