أسواق دمشق زمن الحروب الصليبية 494-649 ه 1100-1251 م

Abstract EN

The study aimed at shedding some light on the markets of Damascus at the time of the crusades.

moreover, the study highlighted some aspects, such as the emergence of these markets and their development in terms of organization and sectioning so that each craft or commodity had a specific section in the market.

therefore, at this time, all food products were sold in one place, while clothes were sold in another place of the market, shoes were sold in a separate section of the market, and accessories and the like were sold in a specific section as well.

moreover, there were specific markets for selling and buying animals and birds and there were specific markets for crafts products and services, such as: blacksmithing, carpentry and glass products and there were other markets than those mentioned before.

furthermore, in addition to markets, there were supplementary services, usually next to the market, such as: hotels, al-Qaysars, khans, and agencies.

the study attempted identifying the role which these supplementary services played in enhancing trade in Damascus markets-let alone the roles of the workers who used to work in the markets back then, such as: brokers, heralds, auctioneers, and porters.

further, the study.

discussed methods of trading in these markets, such as the currencies used at this time, for example: financial instruments, agencies, and fils.

it also highlighted that there were excise taxes and other forms of taxes in these markets.

but above all, there were a market supervisor or al-Muhtasib, who was responsible, as well as his assistants, for supervising everything that was sold in the market.

finally, the study sought to shed light on some relevant aspects, such as: state's monopoly of some goods and other political factors.