auction (Latin auctio, in German Beutverkaufung or Austeilung)

The distribution of prisoners and plunder obtained during the plundering campaigns of border fortress soldiers. These soldiers often distributed the loot and prisoners in accordance with their participation, then they sold the different goods, draught animals and prisoners in an auction - similarly to today's auctions. The soldiers chose a number of persons (auctioneers) who were responsible for listing the goods and prisoners, estimating their value, selling them, and finally distributing the money received for them. They had to take an oath to be objective and unbiased during their work.

PG