Fraud, Theft and Robbery on the Roads of the Russian-Belarusian Border Area of the 16th — 17th Centuries

Abstract

Numerous sources of foreign origin, as well as the oral tradition of the Russian-Belarusian border area, draw a vivid picture of illegal acts committed on the roads of the 16—17th centuries. Fraud and theft act were the most common and least dangerous for travelers, while robbery committed on the roads threatened both the property and the life of the travelers. Travelers passing along the roads of the Russian borderland with Poland and Livonia had heard about the dangers of the way, armed themselves in advance, hid the most valuable things and documents, looking for reliable companions. The lands located in the border zone are more dangerous for travel, because here existed constant military threat and heavy traffic, which attracted criminals of various stripes.