Prisoners taken in local conflicts had been ransomed and only sold when no ransom was forthcoming.
When cattle thieves were captured, they were ransomed back for cattle.
However, the value of the ransomed strips to the landowner is now enormous.
It is also likely individuals taken in battle would be ransomed back to their families and clans at high cost.
Captured sons of noblemen were usually ransomed at the time.
The ones deemed unattractive were released and any remaining were ransomed.
The prisoners spent several years in captivity before being ransomed.
He had reportedly captured some 170 vessels that he had destroyed or ransomed for large prices.
