This is the report of a meeting held on 19 and 20 November 2010 in the Faculty of Arts, University of Cagliari, in which speakers examined several cases in the euro-Mediterranean area (Flanders, England, Germany, Italy, Aragon, Maghreb, Ragusa) and reviewed recent studies in light of a long historical tradition, while also highlighting research problems and the abundance of comparisons and reflections. Relations between the commercial environment and artistic, literary and scientific culture, as well as legal institutions such as reprisals and the consulate, were given great attention and were closely followed in the discussions and in-depth examinations.