Constantinople as trade centre |
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Constantinople was a center of local, regional and interregional commerce, dominating the domestic and foreign trade of the Byzantine state for the better part of the latter’s existence. However, from the 13th century control of the Byzantine capital’s commercial activity progressively passed into the hands of Western merchants, particularly Italians. |
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The mint of Constantinople displays a remarkable duration of life (326-1453). At the beginning it did not differ from other provincial mints, however, gradually joined the first place and – temporarily – the exclusiveness on state production of coins. It was the most complicated Byzantine mint regarding its organization and the quality of its products, interwoven with state financial policy and fluctuated from an excellent level (during the largest period of time), up to a bad one (mainly after... |
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Craft guilds in Constantinople |
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The guilds were unions, or associations of craftsmen and professionals in the cities, under the monitoring of the state. They were formed for the protection of their members’ interests and the transmission of practical knowledge (via the apprenticeship), and they also exerted political influence. The guilds in the capital were under the direct control of the prefect of the City (praefectus urbi). Since practically their dependence from the state was limited, they constituted one of the poles of... |
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