5 • The Safavid-Ottoman Gift Exchanges Through the Eyes of the Venetians
abstract
Safavid Empire had much more extensive diplomatic relations with Turco-Muslim polities, particularly with the Ottomans, compared to the European states. Safavids and Ottomans interacted with each other actively, managing their relationships through relatively regular exchanges of envoy missions. The importance that Safavids placed on their relationship with the Ottoman was reflected in the values of the gifts made to the Sultan. Subsequently, the value, quantity, and variety of gifts sent to their neighbouring powers was greater than those sent to European countries.