New Books Network Craig Perry, "Slavery and the Jews of Medieval Egypt: A History" (Princeton UP, 2026)
Mar 21, 2026
Craig Perry, an associate professor who studies slavery, law, and everyday life in the medieval Middle East, guides listeners through Cairo Geniza fragments that reveal lived experiences of enslaved people. He traces domestic slavery, local resale markets, gendered ownership, manumission, and how slavery appeared at household rituals like Passover. Short stories from the Geniza bring these hidden worlds into view.
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Jewish Law Shifted Toward Perpetual Canaanite Slavery
- Medieval Jewish law distinguished Hebrew (temporary) slaves from Canaanite (perpetual) slaves, but by the Middle Ages only Canaanite-style perpetual slavery mattered.
- Children born to Canaanite slaves inherited slave status, shaping family and social outcomes across generations.
Islamic Law Created Different Outcomes For Slave Families
- Islamic law permitted sexual relations between masters and enslaved women and granted children of those unions free Muslim status, contrasting with Jewish law where children of enslaved women remained enslaved.
- This legal difference influenced conversions, sales, and the options enslaved people pursued for freedom.
Domestic Service Dominated Medieval Egyptian Slavery
- In medieval Egypt most enslaved people served domestic roles rather than agricultural labor; the palace used specialized courtesans, eunuchs, and enslaved soldiers while households relied on all-purpose domestic servants.
- Domestic slaves were valuable because they could operate both inside the home and run errands across the city, shaping social networks and commerce.
