Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

The New Testament also has several verses admonishing freshly-converted Christian slaves to obey their masters (Eph. 6:5, 1 Peter 2:18). Christianity at that time was controversial enough that they didn't want to add abolitionism to the mix.

Even in Medieval/Renaissance Europe there was a healthy slave trade centered around filling galleys with oarsmen who were understandably not happy with such repetitive work under terrible working conditions. Genoese traders in Italy even collaborated with the Crimean khanate in enslaving Eastern European Orthodox Christians so they could fill out their galleys. Also, taking of Moorish slaves during the back-and-forth of Mediterranean maritime politics.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: