The commercial Greek Diaspora, on the other hand, highlighted the "conquering Orthodox Balkan merchant" as a bearer of the revolutionary ideas of the West and an initial instigator of the Revolution. Greek merchants, both within and outside the Ottoman territory, perhaps perceived more directly than the rural populations the "lawlessness" of the Ottoman system. The superiority of Muslims over Christians in the courts allowed for any arbitrariness in commercial transactions, while the absence of legislation that would rationally regulate the operation of commerce reinforced corruption and uncertainty. Thus, the Venetians, although often harsher rulers than the Turks, nevertheless provided rules that guided the relations of subjects with the state authorities. The rule of law, which was a promise of the French Revolution, particularly fascinated the Christian merchants of the Balkans.