A merchant is not such an ancient profession as a hunter, but still quite an old specialty in the field of entrepreneurship, that is, an activity aimed at the systematic acquisition of profits from trade.
Basis of the basics
In Russia merchants were already in the IX century. In those days, the treasury of the state was filled mainly due to the tribute levied on conquered peoples. The second article of income was trade. It was also the engine of progress. The cities were built mainly along river banks, which served as trade routes. According to historical information, the Scythians did not have any other roads at all. The coastal cities first became commercial centers, and then crafts developed in them. In Ancient Russia, a merchant is not only a merchant. Athanasius Nikitin, whose monument was erected in Tver, in his homeland, was also a great traveler, who "went beyond the three seas", and the discoverer and diplomat. And the famous legendary Novgorod merchant Sadko was hawking and at the bottom of the sea.
Trade routes
Thanks to the commodity exchange and its representatives, the merchants were able to discover such great trade routes as "from the Varangians to the Greeks", "the great Silk Road", which is called the "crossroads of civilizations", the "Chumakian route", the famous "incense path" crossing the Arabian Peninsula, and a lot others. The merchants were Russian princes, forced to somehow get rid of the surplus of the natural tribute or accumulated money, spending them on the overseas curiosities. The merchant is also the chief informant in those distant times. "Is it alright beyond the sea or is it bad?" And what miracle in the world? "- learned only from representatives of this multifaceted profession.
Petrovsky reforms touched all
This kind of activity was respected, the merchant class was an important estate at all times. On the commercial enterprise of the Russians legends were composed. Old merchant houses often came to the aid of the state. The richest Stroganoffs opened new lands, built factories, erected temples. Some historical studies say that Peter I defeated the merchants, which resulted in the death of many types of Russian crafts, loved and supported by merchants. The tsar carried out reforms, as a result of which the old form of the merchant unions "hundreds" was abolished, and the guilds came to replace them. It was good or bad, but the merchantry did not die.
Rich and good
The merchant class developed and gained strength, the best representatives of this class were promoted to the appropriation of nobility for special services to the fatherland. For example, Rukovishnikovs. The Moscow dynasty founded a noble family, and Ivan Vasilyevich (1843-1901) rose to a secret adviser. The Novgorod dynasty, founded by a revolving peasant, already in the third generation began to belong to the upper class. The motto of this family was the words "I sacrifice and I care". The same can be said for quite a few Russian entrepreneurs. This is the special mentality of the domestic merchant. A Russian merchant is in most cases a benefactor and patron. The names of the largest merchant-patrons, the memory left by them, in Russian history occupy a special place. Who does not know the merchant Tretyakov, the founder of the art gallery of his name. Everyone who knows at least a little about the history of Russia knows the names and deeds of the best representatives of this class: the Mamontovs and Morozovs (the legendary Savva Morozov), Naydenov and Botkin, Shchukin and Prokhorov. A large number of hospitals, charity houses, theaters and libraries in Russia were built on the means of merchants.
Images are positive and negative
However, in Russian literature, the image of a trader is rather negative. In many Ostrovsky plays, the merchant's environment is ridiculed, and the merchant himself is more a cunning straggler than an educated, generous man. Kustodievsky merchants and merchants personify what they call mockery "merchant's taste". To the negative image add features and reviews of foreigners. In this regard, I want to note that Russians, about whom foreigners respond well, are generally very few. Their opinion should not be a verdict. Many famous writers laughed at merchants. But Kalashnikov in Lermontov is very good. It focuses on the best features of the merchant class - honesty, decency, courage, willingness to give his life for the good name of a loved one. There were, of course, in this environment and rascals. And in what environment they are not? And then, as noted above, the merchant was divided into guilds. To the "third", with a small capital (500 rubles) could include any irresponsible people. But well-to-do Russian merchants, who live in full view of everyone, who think about their trademark, were for the most part little to say conscientious and honest, but fanatically honest people. "The word of a merchant" is not a legend. Of course, not all transactions were concluded only verbally. But this merchant's word was held rigidly, otherwise it would not become a legend in the good sense of the word.