Written by Petrit Latifi

Pasquale Bruti (Latin: Paschalis Dabrus)
Also known as Pasquale Dabri or Dragoman Pasquale, Pasquale Bruti (d. 1596) was an Albanian dragoman and Venetian interpreter during the 16th century. A member of the noble Dabri family of Ulcinj, later intertwined with the Bruti family, Pasquale was the nephew of Bartolomeo Bruti and the son of Marco Dabri and Lucietta Bruti. He served as a mediator between the Ottoman Empire and various European powers, including Venice, England, and Hungary, for over 40 years.

Career and Contributions

Pasquale worked extensively in diplomacy, helping negotiate prisoner exchanges, including the release of Habsburg ambassador Friedrich Kreckwitz. Fluent in Turkish, he played a pivotal role in Ottoman-European relations, though he faced mistrust from European monarchs, including Emperor Miksa of Prague, who suspected him of espionage.

In 1596, Pasquale accompanied Edward Barton, the English ambassador in Istanbul, on a diplomatic mission through Hungary. His insights into Ottoman military strategies and political dynamics were critical, as tensions with Hungary and internal Ottoman conflicts escalated. Bruti was also tasked with negotiating peace on behalf of the voivode of Wallachia and Zsigmond Báthory.

Assassination

Pasquale’s diplomatic career ended tragically in Belgrade in 1596. While negotiating peace terms, he was arrested and executed by Hassan Pasha, an Ottoman commander who viewed him as a threat to ongoing conflict with the Habsburgs. This act was believed to stem from Hassan Pasha’s rivalry with other Ottoman officials and his resistance to peace efforts. Following Pasquale’s death, tensions within the Ottoman court continued to rise, highlighting his significant yet perilous role in diplomacy.

Pasquale’s legacy remains intertwined with the complex political and cultural interactions of his time, showcasing his importance in Ottoman-European relations despite the tragic circumstances of his demise.

References

Google Books

• https://books.google.se/books?id=dSBdAAAAMAAJ
• https://books.google.se/books?id=5wA2AQAAMAAJ
• https://books.google.se/books?id=KHKKBgAAQBAJ&pg=PT789
• https://books.google.se/books?id=RxfUDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA237

Research Articles:

• Kruppa Tamás, Pasquale Bruti tolmács kalandos prágai követsége 1596-ban.
  Link to PDF
• Fraknói Institute Journal (Various Reports):
  https://institutumfraknoi.hu/sites/default/files/2019-01/lk_76_2005.2_330-371.pdf

Historical Accounts:

• Does the Drina flow? Cultural indifference and Slovene-Yugoslav literature in Turkish. ResearchGate Download