Arabs had been enslaving Africans since medieval times.
They were also enslaving Europeans.
And as far as I can tell, they didn’t have a very high opinion of European intelligence, customs, or capacity for civilization either—though ibn Fadlan might have been excused, considering who he was dealing with.
Arabs had been enslaving Africans since medieval times.
They were also enslaving Europeans.
And as far as I can tell, they didn’t have a very high opinion of European intelligence, customs, or capacity for civilization either—though ibn Fadlan might have been excused, considering who he was dealing with.