Slavery Flashcards
(13 cards)
4 Top Facts (4)
- The least attractive aspect of the Roman world
- Unlike greek slaves, roman slaves had some chance of becoming free
- Very common
- Prisoners of war, kidnap victims, born to parents who were slaves already
These were the most common methods of becoming a slave
Buying: Where from? (1)
Slave dealers ( Magones)
Buying: Process of buying a slave (3)
- Slaves were put on platforms so that buyers could inspect them
- Each slave had a scroll ( titalus) round their necks, which described their skills
- Slave dealer and the buyer would reach an agreement and the slave would be sold. The more skilled a slave was the more expensive the slave would be
Duties of slaves specialised (7)
Cooks ( coquus) barber (tonsor) physician ( medicus) personalised servant (ancillae) musicians dancers singers
Was it illegal or legal to kill slaves? (2)
Illegal to kill slaves
However, masters would very rarely get punished even if they did.
What was the best position as a slave? (2)
To work in the house rather than in the mines
Because the death rate is lower and one is normally treated better
Did any slaves ever rebel? (3)
Yes, Spartacus lead a rebellion in 73-71bc and 6000 slaves joined who were all put to death
Did slaves ever gain money or have any possessions and were they allowed to have relationships? (5)
Slaves did sometimes gain money if they worked in their masters business
If they did a great job on something they might earn a tip
However, they never had any possessions.
They were not allowed to marry, however, they were allowed to have unofficial relationships
Slaves were allowed to have babies
What would happen if a slave ran away? (2)
Sent to work in mines
Had F for fugitive branded to their head.
How could slaves gain freedom (2)
- Manumission may be granted if the slave saves the masters life
- Buy freedom w/ savings
How many slaves were allowed to be pardoned by a single master? (1)
100
What happens after slaves are granted freedom? (4)
Given a new name
Given the cap of freedom ( pilleus)
The former master becomes slaves patron and is expected to help the slave in times of trouble
Slaves were given some rights however they were not allowed to become a general in the army and stand for an election
Did all slaves become richer after they became free? (2)
Not all slaves became richer and because many had few skills they couldn’t find jobs and ended up with less food and worse accommodation that the did previously.
