Interrogation of the Courier. Anton Konstantinov is an Informant of the Russian Government

Anton Konstantinov is an important but almost unknown figure in Russian-Greek relations in the 17th century. This Greek merchant travelled to Russia at least 7 times, first as part of Ottoman embassies, then independently on trade business and even as an Ottoman courier. From him are preserved 18 Greek petitions, a receipt and a unique document written by Anton himself, with valuable information for the Russian government, which in translation under the title ‘interrogation of the courier’ is published in the appendix. The Russian state needed diplomatic agents who were familiar with the situation abroad and had connections there, and the information that came from there. And these agents in turn received favourable opportunities for their trade operations in Russia. Anton Konstantinov can be considered one of such agents.