Smuggling is as old as the world. As soon as people invented borders and tariffs, those who decided to circumvent them appeared. History knows smugglers of all kinds: from peasants who transported salt to barons who stole diamonds. Some became national heroes, others — bloodthirsty criminals. But all of them, in one way or another, influenced the economy, politics, and even fashion. When the first smugglers appeared The first mentions of smuggling date back to Ancient Egypt. Pharaohs taxed goods imported into the country and prohibited the export of gold. But traders secretly transported gold across the desert, bribing guards. In Ancient Rome, smuggling flourished at the borders of the empire. Eastern spices and silk were especially valued — secretly transporting them from tax collectors brought immense profits. In the Middle Ages, smuggling became a mass phenomenon in Europe. Feudal lords imposed tariffs on the import of salt, wine, wool. Peasants on the coasts of England and France transported goods at night by boats across the strait. Salt from France was cheaper than in England, and wool from England was of higher quality. Thus, "salt" and "wool" smuggling were born. At the same time, the first "smuggling routes" appeared — secret mountain passes in the Alps and Pyrenees. Local residents knew every stone and helped traders in exchange for a share. Famous smugglers of the past One of the most famous was Louis Mandrin (1725-1755), a French peasant who led a gang of smugglers trading in salt for 8 years. The French government imposed a salt tax (gabel) so high that in some provinces it accounted for half of the cost. Mandrin bought salt in cheap regions, transported it across the border, and sold it at triple the price. Thousands of soldiers were hunting for him, but he managed to escape skillfully, using the support of the local population. He was considered Robin Hood by the people — he distributed part of the profit to the poor. He was caught and executed by ... Read more