The Trade in Slaves in the Black Sea, Russia, and Eastern Europe
Hannah Barker
The Black Sea, Russia, and eastern Europe exported slaves throughout the medieval period. Most had been born free but were enslaved through capture or occasionally sale by relatives. During eighth tenth centuries, traded from Baltic to elite households in Byzantium Islamic world via Dniepr Volga river systems, Carolingian empire, Venice. In thirteenth century, structure of this slave trade changed as a result Mongol invasion Europe, Italian colonization success Mamluk state, crusading activities Teutonic Knights Baltic. People now tended be westward rather than eastward; people Caucasus pass Sea into Italian, Mamluk, Ottoman hands; Balkans trafficked primarily Venetians Ottomans. Many aspects deserve further study, however, such political marginality decentralization factors that enabled slaving; violations principle should come different religious background their owners; logistics local trades.
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