13. The Circassian Slave Trade
The Circassian slave trade saw countless men and women taken from the Caucasus and sold into the Ottoman Empire and neighboring regions. Circassian women, in particular, were highly valued for their perceived beauty and often became concubines or elite servants in royal households. This trade not only devastated Circassian communities but also influenced the courts and harems of the Middle East, leaving a complex legacy within Ottoman society. Read about the Circassian slave trade
