Traders, slaves, and exiles
Of their own free will, early medieval people crossed the Mediterranean in order to trade or raid as well negotiate pray. Some sought careers ancient capital on Bosporus; others immigrated Europe. Others still traveled under dire compulsion, exiles, refugees, hostages, slaves. In most cases, numbers probably were much greater than high, mighty, and holy who dominate surviving sources. But of low, suspect, ambiguous social status appear more rarely less completely written record. A fair number are uncertain geographic origin – shippers traders, for instance, attract only passing mention sources treating important aboard vessels. Where was home berth six slavers that Bernard Frank saw anchored harbor Taranto 867? We may surmise, but we do not really know; nor can speculate ethnicity merchant skipper with whom St. Blaise sailed from Rome Greece. The smaller these kinds travelers make it practical treat together easterners westerners. will begin, again, a few thumbnail sketches meet some merchants, slave, refugee. also test anecdotes against broader group like travelers, combining this time scarcer data east west.
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