Qui saracenis arma deferunt. Il papato e il contrabbando di armi durante le crociate

Abstract

The phenomenon of smuggling of war materials conducted between Italian and Saracen merchants between the 12th and 13th centuries represents a theme considered secondary by recent historiography. The numerous papal interventions in this regard testify to the economic and military importance that these exchanges occupied in the complex quadrant of the Crusader Levant. Through the analysis of contemporary notarial, papal and chronicle sources, this article intends to delve into the complex logistics of naval smuggling hidden behind the crusades of the time, as well as the ambiguous ecclesiastical response, determined by the spiritual and temporal nature of the Roman institution.