History and evolution of embassy §

Why were embassies created? §

• Middle Ages (400s-1400s): Envoys as messenger of every communication (No permanent offices)
  • Nuncius: are living letters, no power to make decision
  • Plenipotentiary: have power to make decisions for leader (trusted individual, royal family, …)
  • Problems: Costly, slow, risky
    • Ceremonies to welcome royals
• 1500s:
  • Ottoman Empire: some diplomatic offices established
  • Slowly spread to Europe but with much resistence
• 1800s:
  • professionalization of diplomats (training, regular payments, ranks) instead of nepotism
  • debates on Diplomatic Immunities argued by Functionalism