During the chaotic early years of the First Serbian Uprising (1804–1813), one episode involving Milenko Stojković — one of Karađorđe’s most prominent commanders — perfectly illustrates how quickly revolutionary ideals could mix with personal enrichment.
According to historical accounts from the Požarevac region, Karađorđe awarded Milenko Stojković 10,000 Albanian (Arnaut) sheep that had been seized in the area. Stojković kept a significant portion for himself and distributed the rest to his troops. This event, mentioned in local histories such as Miroljub Manojlović’s work on Požarevac (1804–1858), highlights the blurred lines between military necessity, plunder, and personal greed in the uprising.
Context
In 1804, as Serbian rebels fought to “liberate” (or invade) areas like Požarevac from Ottoman (and particularly Dahija) control, livestock represented one of the most valuable forms of movable wealth. Albanian shepherds and merchants (Arnauts) were active in the region with large flocks. When rebel forces gained the upper hand, they seized these animals as war booty.
Karađorđe’s decision to award the entire flock of 10,000 sheep to Milenko Stojković was both a reward for military success and a practical way to feed and motivate his troops. However, Stojković’s choice to keep many for personal gain drew criticism — even in the midst of the uprising — as an act of greed that undermined the revolutionary spirit of equality and shared sacrifice.
Value
To understand the scale of this “gift,” we must estimate its worth:
In the early 19th century (Ottoman Serbia/Balkans):
A single sheep typically cost between 100–300 akçe/guruş, depending on quality, age, and market conditions (with significant variation due to wars and supply disruptions).
10,000 sheep would therefore represent an enormous sum — equivalent to the annual income or wealth of multiple wealthy merchants or local notables. Livestock was often more valuable than land in unstable times because it was portable and could be quickly converted into meat, milk, wool, or cash.
Modern equivalent
Today, a good breeding or meat sheep in the Balkans or similar markets might sell for €100–250. Using a conservative average of €150 per sheep:
10,000 sheep ≈ €1.5 million (roughly $1.6–1.7 million USD in 2026 prices).
This figure does not account for the added value of wool, lambs, or dairy production over time. In the context of early 19th-century rural Serbia, where most peasants lived in extreme poverty, owning even a few hundred sheep could elevate someone to local elite status. Ten thousand represented a small fortune — enough to make a man wealthy for life.
Symbol of greed
This episode reveals a deeper truth about the First Serbian Uprising: while framed as a national liberation struggle, it was also a brutal contest for resources. Commanders like Milenko Stojković operated in a world where victory meant access to Ottoman wealth, livestock, and land. Distributing (or withholding) booty was a key tool for maintaining loyalty among fighters.
Critics saw Stojković’s actions as classic greed — a leader enriching himself at the expense of the common soldiers and the broader cause. Supporters viewed it as pragmatic: in a war with irregular supply lines, controlling large flocks ensured his men could eat and continue fighting.
This pattern repeated throughout the uprising and later Balkan conflicts. Booty, especially livestock, was both a necessity and a temptation. The “Arnaut sheep” story became a telling anecdote in regional histories about how personal ambition often accompanied revolutionary fervor.
Source
Пожаревац од турске касабе до српске вароши 1804-1858. Мирољуб Манојловић. 2005
