Wills of the Greek Orthodox Subjects of the Sultan: an Insight into the Everyday Life of the Ottoman Empire's Orthodox Communities

The present study reveals certain aspects of the social and cultural history of Chios, an Aegean island under Ottoman rule, through archival material of the 19th century. The information mostly derives from will documents that allow us to understand as much as possible the structure of the local society, the daily life of the inhabitants, their way of thinking and perception of life, as well as their relationship and ties with their family members. Finally the position of the Ottoman Government towards the local Christian institutions, accepting and sanctioning their operation at a local level, is also revealed.