A Greek Trading Colony in the Barcelona of the 10th Century

Seven persons recorded in Barcelona between 986 and 1021 are sometimes marked as "Greeks" by the scribes. Bearing local names and owning houses "intra muros", they appear well integrated into the local society. One of them was a judge, two others ranked among the "boni homines". The local charters do not mention, however, any connection of this group to international trade. The chronicle "Al-Muqtabas" of the Andalusian historian Ibn Hayyan offers new perspectives reporting a free trade agreement ("Aman") between the Caliph of Cordova and the ruler of Naples in 940 which was negotiated in Barcelona. Two years later, the first visit of Amalfitan traders to Cordova took place. The Caliphate of Cordova must have been looking for an alternative trading connection with the Islamic east as the rivalling fatimide Caliphs in Tunisia were trying to disrupt the traditional route along the North African coast. The services of Amalfi, well known for its oriental connections, were a solution and Barcelona seems to have become an important hub with a "Greek" trading colony.