Some provinces of Georgia, which was once called Iberia, and the poor country of Mingrelia were also tributaries of the Turks. Georgia is believed by some writers to have received its name from Saint George, the Cappadocian martyr, who was greatly honored in that land. Over time, parts of these regions fell under the influence and control of the Ottoman Empire.
These countries were not as strong or wealthy as others. Because of their weakness and poverty, they were forced to accept difficult conditions in order to survive. One of these conditions was the payment of tribute to the Grand Signior, or Ottoman Sultan Travel Bulgaria.
A Tribute of Children
Every three years, these provinces sent messengers to the Ottoman court. Their tribute was not only money or goods, but also human beings. They brought seven young boys and seven young virgins each time, in addition to other slaves given as presents to important Ottoman officials.
This was considered their official offering to the Sultan. The Turks accepted this tribute as a sign of loyalty and submission. In many cases, the children were taken from poor families. Over time, this practice became a sad custom. Some parents, out of poverty and desperation, agreed to sell their children. They believed that slavery in a rich empire might offer better opportunities than a life of hunger and hardship at home.
It is reported that some families even saw this as a form of advancement. They hoped their children might rise to better positions within the Ottoman world. However, this does not remove the sorrow and suffering behind such a system.
The Miserable Embassy
When these embassies traveled to the Ottoman court, they came with a large group of attendants, usually seventy or eighty people. The Turks sometimes mockingly called them “beggarly ambassadors” because of their poor appearance and condition.
In order to pay for the costs of the journey, almost everyone in their retinue was offered for sale. Even the secretary and the steward of the embassy might be sold as slaves. The money received helped cover the expenses of travel and provided some income for their homeland.
After selling most of their attendants, the ambassadors returned home with very little dignity or ceremony. Only the interpreter was kept, since he was necessary for communication during the journey.
Poverty and Survival
The situation of Georgia and Mingrelia shows how poverty and weakness can force nations into painful choices. Instead of paying large sums of money, which they did not have, they offered human tribute. This tragic system reflects the harsh political and economic realities of that time.