rom the 13th century, Asia Minor and the Balkan peninsula lived through a succession of different rulers. As the Ottoman domination of the mainland remained uncertain until the 19th century, the inhabitants of these regions sometimes found themselves at the centre, sometimes on the periphery of fighting which threatened their life and property. Faced with this danger, some sought refuge in neighbouring regions while others fled further afield. Only when a city or region surrendered, as in the case of Ioannina, Rhodes and Candia in Crete, the inhabitants faced no risk as the new sovereigns guaranteed their life and offered them privileges.
