recompensed from the Imperial treasury. The Venetian merchants were placed under the authority and responsibility of the bailo and the local rectors. This was followed by a clause confirming the complete liberty of the Venetians and the inviolability of the privileges, prohibiting the imposition of any duty or restriction to their commerce. The Emperor undertook to compensate Venetians who had suffered losses at the hands of Imperial subjects or agents since 1268, and the Venetians undertook a reciprocal obligation. The subsequent clauses of the treaty concern legal affairs of Venetians who died on Imperial soil, jurisdiction in case of disputes or crimes involving Byzantines and Venetians, and shipwrecks, mostly repeating the terms of the earlier treaty. The provisions for the purchase of grain were also repeated, in modified form: due to the debasement of the gold initiated by Palaiologos, the Venetians would now pay 100, instead of 50, to the 100 of grain, but were allowed to export it directly from the Black Sea. A new provision regulated the commerce of Byzantine merchants in Venice itself. Both sides would release their respective prisoners. Venice undertook not to ally with, or allow its ships to be used to carry the troops of, any prince who might attack Palaiologos. Likewise, the Empire undertook not allow the manufacture of arms against the Venetians, and to compensate them if that should happen. If either party violated the terms of the treaty, both sides pledged not to start hostilities, but instead negotiate. Aftermath It is clear that both sides were cautious, hedging their bets in view of the volatile international situation, as seen by the treaty's short duration. Venice in particular still hoped for the realization of a crusade against Palaiologos, that might lead to the restoration of Venetian domination as it had existed before 1261. As a result, the treaty was not renewed after its expiration, and in 1281, the Venetians in the Treaty of Orvieto entered Charles of Anjou's anti-Byzantine coalition, with April 1283 as the projected starting date for the expedition against Constantinople. However, Charles' designs were fatally interrupted by the outbreak of the Sicilian Vespers in March 1282 and the consequent War of the Sicilian Vespers. By the terms of the Treaty of Orvieto, a state of war existed between Venice and Byzantium. The outbreak of the Vespers had ruined Venetian chances to recover their privileged position, and for the duration