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Οι Γενουάτες άποικοι στους ελληνικούς οικισμούς της περιοχής της Μαύρης Θάλασσας κατά τους XIII - XV αιώνα
Crimea was historically a crossroads of civilizations, and in particular in the times of the medieval Genoese and Venetian colonization. The topic of the interactions between the Italian newcomers and the local Greek population was many times addressed in historiography. The predominantly ‘imperial’ and ‘oppressionist’ vision of the Genoese activity on the Black Sea was balanced out in the recent decades by highlighting the facts of collaboration, cooperation, and cultural exchange between the Italians and the Greeks. More attention was given to brokerage, namely the networks of local Greek intermediaries and go-betweens, who helped Italians in their dealings with different languages, traditions, and indigenous peculiarities. Their role was particularly important when they acted as translators and interpreters and assisted the Italian newcomers to navigate in the indigenous society. The Italian domination over the Black Sea did not therefore destroy the older economic structures; instead, as in the case with many other early modern colonial experiences, it relied on them and used them for mutual benefit.