Byzantine merchants: Privileges-protection

he state intervened in the business life of the Empire by means of customs and other government agencies, where duties and taxes were paid. However, the administrative and economic role of cities in the late Byzantine period often rendered necessary the concession of customs and commercial privileges to a number of these. These privileges mostly exempted the inhabitants from taxes on the land or on their commercial transactions. Characteristic is the example of Andronikos II, who, in 1319, by a chrysobull, granted to the people of Ioannina exemption from most taxes and from the kommerkion, as well as freedom of movement for its merchants. Similar privileges were also granted by Michael VIII to Monemvasia and were reconfirmed by succeeding emperors.

The emperors also frequently applied restrictive measures against the Italian merchants, in an effort to support and protect the Byzantine merchants as well as the consumers and producers. Worth mentioning is the economic policy of self-sufficiency promoted by John Vatatzes, who endeavoured to protect the state by prohibiting the importation of luxury items and by encouraging local production. Moreover, the Byzantines, until the mid-14th century, often applied restrictive and protective measures by signing trade agreements with the Italians regarding anything that concerned the availability (sale, export and price) of their most important products, such as wheat, salt and wine. In 1302, for instance, the exportation of salt and mastic gum was prohibited. Principally, however, it was on the sale and exportation of wheat that the Byzantine government imposed various restrictions, whenever its price rose to more than 50, initially, and later 100 hyperpyra per kentenarion. Furthermore, the state also banned the importation of cheap wheat from the Black Sea, in an effort to protect the Byzantine producer.