πατήστε για μεγέθυνση

 

πατήστε για μεγέθυνση

 

 

 

 

Administration and institutions

The duke governed Naxos in person, whereas the other islands of the duchy were governed by his representatives, who shared the governance among them or with part of the population who enjoyed political rights. The council of the duke was composed of seigneurs of the island (Gozzadini, da Corogna) and powerful landowners, Latins, Greeks or bourgeois people (cittadini).

The bourgeois made up a community (universitas) consisting of their elected representatives (procuratori del commum), who ought to reside in the city, in order to contribute to its defence. Their vote was necessary for the selection of the main administrative functionaries, on the basis of the Venetian system of election among candidates nominated by the Venetian rector.

The establishing of communal institutions is attested by the office of the captain in many islands (Santorini, Kythnos, Syros, Milos, Paros). The captain was an indigenous person and leader of the local commune. In addition, the protogeroi, who possibly drew their origin from Byzantium, were referred to as leaders of the rural communities of Tinos. On the same island, there was a system of collectivity, on the basis of which corvées were performed and taxes were paid.


Law

In the duchy of the Aegean the Assizes of Romania (Liber Consuetudinum Imperii Romanie) were applicable together with the local common law. The administration of justice came under the jurisdiction of the duke of Naxos. The rector of Tinos was responsible for adjudicating criminal cases and serious civil ones, whereas issues of lesser importance were settled by the bailo. The hearing was recorded by the scribe (scrivano), whereas the chief of the police (cavalier) had the role of the public prosecutor.