Publication Date:
2025
abstract:
The three chapters of this study, entitled Archival Refractions:
Anonymous on Stephen the Little, specifically address archival sources
in Italian pertaining to Stephen the Little, including both previously
published works and, notably, new, unpublished materials. This primary
material sourced from the Venetian Archives primarily encompasses
reports by spies and superintendents, which contribute to the broader
historical and cultural understanding of Stephen the Little. Moreover,
this study introduces some entirely new content, notably a manuscript
attributed to an anonymous Venetian official – likely a spy – also written
in Italian. This manuscript, housed in the State Archives of Zadar,
significantly enriches our understanding of the enigmatic figure who
appeared in Montenegro in November 1766 and simultaneously opens
avenues for further research and contextualization.
The first chapter, entitled “A Century of Impostors, a Century of
Spies”, outlines the historical and social context of the 18th century,
highlighting some of the most famous impostors of this era, often
referred to as the “century of impostors” in Europe. In this context,
Venice became a magnet for numerous impostors, while its extensive foreign relations
frequently precipitated political and social turbulence.
As the number of impostors and political adversaries increased, so too
did the number of spies. The extensive materials generated by these secret services,
primarily consisting of reports, have been preserved in the archives of
Venice. Consequently, the second chapter is entitled “In the Venetian
Archives” and is subdivided into two sections. The first section details
Petar II Petrović Njegoš’s stay in Venice, during which he sought
materials pertaining to Stephen the Little within the Venetian Archives
– the foundation for his historical poem The False Emperor Stephen the
Little (1850).
The second section, entitled “Research by Šime Ljubić”, examines the
research conducted by the Croatian historian in the Venetian Archives
over the course of two years. In addition to transcribing thousands of
documents regarding the South Slavs and later publishing them in 1868,
Šime Ljubić compiled reports in Italian from various Venetian officials,
which he published in Belgrade under the title Monuments of Stephen
the Little (1870).
The third chapter focuses on an unpublished manuscript in
Italian, housed in the State Archives of Zadar. This unfinished work,
entitled Anonimus, dates from the second half of the 18th century and
is a primary source of considerable significance for the history of
Stephen the Little. This manuscript presents itself as an “historical story”, as stated
by its anonymous author. It is grounded in factual events and aims for
objectivity while simultaneously offering a narrative that interprets
the events and characters within the relevant historical context of
Montenegro. The anonymous author declares at the outset of his work that he draws inspiration from Tacitus, a figure renowned as a “poet of history”.
Thus, one could argue that thismanuscript essentially features two main characters: Stephen the Little and the anonymous author himself, manifesting as a narrative discourse
grounded in historical facts. Just as with Tacitus’s works, Anonymus
requires historiographical evaluation; nonetheless, its exceptional
artistic value is undisputed.
The manuscript Anonimus, preserved in the State Archives of
Zadar, does not resolve the enigma of Šćepan Mali; rather, it does the
opposite: it opens up new avenues for research and introduces fresh
dimensions for interpreting and narrating the historical facts associated
with this mysterious figure. Similar
Anonymous on Stephen the Little, specifically address archival sources
in Italian pertaining to Stephen the Little, including both previously
published works and, notably, new, unpublished materials. This primary
material sourced from the Venetian Archives primarily encompasses
reports by spies and superintendents, which contribute to the broader
historical and cultural understanding of Stephen the Little. Moreover,
this study introduces some entirely new content, notably a manuscript
attributed to an anonymous Venetian official – likely a spy – also written
in Italian. This manuscript, housed in the State Archives of Zadar,
significantly enriches our understanding of the enigmatic figure who
appeared in Montenegro in November 1766 and simultaneously opens
avenues for further research and contextualization.
The first chapter, entitled “A Century of Impostors, a Century of
Spies”, outlines the historical and social context of the 18th century,
highlighting some of the most famous impostors of this era, often
referred to as the “century of impostors” in Europe. In this context,
Venice became a magnet for numerous impostors, while its extensive foreign relations
frequently precipitated political and social turbulence.
As the number of impostors and political adversaries increased, so too
did the number of spies. The extensive materials generated by these secret services,
primarily consisting of reports, have been preserved in the archives of
Venice. Consequently, the second chapter is entitled “In the Venetian
Archives” and is subdivided into two sections. The first section details
Petar II Petrović Njegoš’s stay in Venice, during which he sought
materials pertaining to Stephen the Little within the Venetian Archives
– the foundation for his historical poem The False Emperor Stephen the
Little (1850).
The second section, entitled “Research by Šime Ljubić”, examines the
research conducted by the Croatian historian in the Venetian Archives
over the course of two years. In addition to transcribing thousands of
documents regarding the South Slavs and later publishing them in 1868,
Šime Ljubić compiled reports in Italian from various Venetian officials,
which he published in Belgrade under the title Monuments of Stephen
the Little (1870).
The third chapter focuses on an unpublished manuscript in
Italian, housed in the State Archives of Zadar. This unfinished work,
entitled Anonimus, dates from the second half of the 18th century and
is a primary source of considerable significance for the history of
Stephen the Little. This manuscript presents itself as an “historical story”, as stated
by its anonymous author. It is grounded in factual events and aims for
objectivity while simultaneously offering a narrative that interprets
the events and characters within the relevant historical context of
Montenegro. The anonymous author declares at the outset of his work that he draws inspiration from Tacitus, a figure renowned as a “poet of history”.
Thus, one could argue that thismanuscript essentially features two main characters: Stephen the Little and the anonymous author himself, manifesting as a narrative discourse
grounded in historical facts. Just as with Tacitus’s works, Anonymus
requires historiographical evaluation; nonetheless, its exceptional
artistic value is undisputed.
The manuscript Anonimus, preserved in the State Archives of
Zadar, does not resolve the enigma of Šćepan Mali; rather, it does the
opposite: it opens up new avenues for research and introduces fresh
dimensions for interpreting and narrating the historical facts associated
with this mysterious figure. Similar
Iris type:
3.1 Monografia o trattato scientifico
List of contributors: