Commercial activity

After their conquest by the Knights Hospitallers in 1309, the Dodecanese, whose chief island was Rhodes, upgraded their position from a strategic and economic point of view. From the first decades of the conquest, Rhodes had been transformed into a major port and important commercial families of the West had settled there. Despite the trade rivalry with Venice (Serenissima), there are references of Venetian consuls settled in Rhodes, whereas the commercial relations of the Hospitallers with the Ottomans were never severed, even during times of war. The island was a junction for trade sea journeys towards Syria, Egypt and Asia Minor.

The harbour of Rhodes was a trading centre for such products as perfumes, narcotics, saffron, wax, pepper, caviar, woolen and silk fabrics, oil, wine and sugar, since Rhodes had an important sugar industry. Staples were not allowed to be exported from the island, seeing that the domestic production did not suffice for the nutrition of the inhabitants.

The basis of the monetary system of the Hospitallers was the denier, whereas the mint of the island was attested to be found in the collacium (castle), the place where the knights dwelled obligatorily.

It seems that the Greek element too benefited from the flourishing commercial activity, especially during the 15th century. That is how the wealth, which had been concentrated in the hands of the Greeks, could be justified according to the account of Emmanuel Georgilas in the Thanatiko tis Rodou. Apparently the Greek element had been integrated into the new social system occupying positions and offices and assuming subtle diplomatic missions.

It is possible that Greeks were involved in the commercial activity as representatives or interpreters of the knights in the negotiations with the Ottomans. Among the Greeks of the region a man that distinguished himself for his very important personality was Dragonetos Klavellis, very close partner of the grand master Ferdinard d' Heredia.