The Greek mainland was low on population during the 14th century. Mostly because most of Greeks settled near Constantinople which they regarded as their Capital. Local lords invited many Albanians (who were renowned mercenaries) to come and protect their castles. In 3 centuries more than 150 000 Arvanites settled in Greece. They took their families with them. Some migrated after the Ottoman occupation in the 15th century. There are still around 300 Arvanite villages in Greece. The most common job in Medieval times was either a farmer, a blacksmith or a mercenary.