In 1668 the war between the Ottoman Empire and Venice was reaching its end after the long siege of Candia. It excited the interest of diplomats and scholars for different reasons. Two Italians were induced to study the economic resources and the military organization of the Empire. The first of these writings (published here) is preserved at the Marucelliana Library in Florence, while there are several copies of the second. Both authors belonged to the same circle of distinguished physicians.