Certain Problems of Researches of Slavery in the Caucasus as Holistic Phenomenon in Modern Russian-Speaking Historiography. Part I

The article is devoted to the analysis of modern Russian historiography slavery in Caucasus. author comes conclusion that despite a heightened attention local and individual cases, works describing Caucasian general are rather few, they have appeared relatively. Therefore, there no unified comprehensive picture Caucasus, even evaluation its cruelty can differ dramatically. first part introduces terminological definition clarifies context which it should be studied. It shows researchers usually don’t define very concept “slavery”, leads serious distortions: sometimes only one types termed whereas others ignored; various forms dependence blended under etc. suggests term defined researches avoid distortions conceptual nature. As for study slavery, proposes using history Black Sea slave trade locus. influence region became predominant 19th century, main were shaped social conditions completely atypical Russia. approach characteristic Caucasus was based on Mediterranean Islamic practices cannot properly understood outside them. Finally, consideration relative mildness certain some customs, such as selling one’s children into understood.