Panos Sophoulis - Banditry in the Medieval Balkans, 800-1500

New Approaches to Byzantine History and Culture publishes high-quality scholarship on all aspects of Byzantine culture and society from the fourth to the fifteenth centuries, presenting fresh approaches to key aspects of Byzantine civilization and new studies of unexplored topics to a broad academic audience. The series is a venue for both methodologically innovative work and ground-breaking studies on new topics, seeking to engage medievalists beyond the narrow confines of Byzantine studies. publishes high-quality scholarship on all aspects of Byzantine culture and society from the fourth to the fifteenth centuries, presenting fresh approaches to key aspects of Byzantine civilization and new studies of unexplored topics to a broad academic audience. The series is a venue for both methodologically innovative work and ground-breaking studies on new topics, seeking to engage medievalists beyond the narrow confines of Byzantine studies.

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This book is the result of several years of research at a number of universities, libraries and research centres. During that time I have been fortunate to receive the advice and help of a great many people. I must begin by expressing my gratitude to Florin Curta, who read most of the text in draft and provided invaluable feedback. I am also greatly indebted to Kiril Nenov and Nella Lonza, who contributed significantly to this book, both with practical assistance and with information and suggestions. Aleksandar Uzelac, Yiannis Stoyas, Tsvetelin Stepanov, Efi Synkellou, Charis Messis, Yanko Hristov, Adrian Magina and Tsvetelin Stepanov have all offered valuable advice or helpful comments along the way. I also wish to thank Nebojia Kartalija, Dimitrios Skrekas, Mila Krneta, Elmedina Duranovi, Polydoros Goranis, Jasmina iri, Mihai Hasan and Fleur Kinson for their various forms of support. Finally, I would like to express special appreciation to Johannes Preiser-Kapeller, who has generously offered to prepare the maps for this study.

It is generally accepted that from antiquity down to early modern times banditry was endemic in many parts of the Balkans. Although its impact was relatively marginal, it clearly constituted a considerable hazard to local safety and order. The activity of robbers and highwaymen often disrupted communications and trade, and could severely undermine the productive capacity of the countryside, especially in poor agricultural and pastoral communities. In fact, it was precisely these societies that provided the perfect habitat for the emergence of banditry during the Balkan Middle Ages. Hard pressed by the poverty-stricken life of the small landowner, the dependent peasant or the mountain herdsman, many men had little choice but to turn to crime.