Maritime trade and the food supply for Constantinople in the middle ages*

Abstract

This chapter offers an approach to some aspects of the transportation of goods, combined with a discussion of the problems of providing sufficient quantity and variety of food for Constantinople. It describes chronologically to the period between the late sixth and the twelfth century. The chapter explores no intention of continuing the discussion concerning the population figure of Constantinople. In one special case, Demetrios stops a grain transport heading for Constantinople, which had reached Chios from the east, and he diverts the grain to Thessalonike. The Nomos Rhodion Nautikos is not mainly concerned with goods being transported, and therefore it refers to cargo only by the way. The law mentions precious items, such as gold, silver, pearls and silk, textiles of minor value, especially raw linen and linen clothing, slaves, and finally grain, wine and oil.