They raided the shops of merchants and the homes of merchants and local professionals. Businesses were closed when merchants and professionals fled. Many of the wealthy merchants and craftsmen were freedmen. The government blamed traders for failing to observe pricing guidelines and vilified "women merchants". The caravan trade depended on patrons and merchants. It was flanked by shops of rich and ordinary merchants and craftsmen. Economies were also impacted with the loss of artisans, merchants, manufacturers and agriculturists. The houses of these wealthy merchants and manufacturers have been preserved throughout the city. Socrates frequented these shops in order to converse with the merchants. His father came from a Gujarati family of merchants and traders. Bismarck was influenced by Hamburg merchants and traders, his neighbors at Friedrichsruh. Over 90% were commoners, who included farmers, merchants, and artisans. Banks helped finance the trade, the merchants, and the manufacturers. There were separate neighbourhoods for the nobility, craftsmen, merchants, and foreigners. It was the place of settlement for Tatar merchants and craftsmen.