Робите в всекидневието на средновековна България
The slaves in everyday life of mediaeval Bulgaria

Summary/Abstract: The problem of the role of slaves in Mediaeval Bulgaria is particularly interesting, as it helps to clarify a number of aspects of economic, legal and cultural history. All the available information clearly shows that the slavery in Medieval Bulgaria is most widespread in the period of the First Bulgarian State. The main source of slaves are the numerous military operations, in which a significant number of people are often taken prisoners. Some of them end up as the personal property of the ruler, and the others are most often used as domestic servants. Some cases of enslavement by kidnapping or due to inability of certain people to pay their debts are not uncommon too. There is also some information on enslavement due to poverty. In fact it is difficult to say what the number of slaves was, but the use of slave labor should not be exaggerated. The development of the Bulgarian state during the period from 13th to 14th centuries gradually create favorable conditions, which cause the complete disappearance of slavery.

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