Slaves in Ancient Rome were essential to the everyday running of the vast empire. They were the backbone of many businesses, acts of labor, and were even sometimes treated as part of the family. yet, despite their importance, the role of the slave was often misunderstood and undervalued. It is for this reason that we take a deeper look into the life and impact of the slave in Ancient Rome.
When looking at the role of the slave, two distinct job classifications were present. The unskilled and the skilled. Unskilled slaves did the labor that was too dirty or dangerous for the free man. This included basic construction, mining. These jobs were primarily kept for slaves as they were often extremely dangerous and the Romans deemed it better to risk a slave’s life than that of a worthwhile citizen. The skilled slave, on the other hand, held the job positions such as teachers, administrators, and stewards. Jobs that the slaves held that did not require such a large labor force. These jobs were held not just by the wealthy, but by everyday Roman families. It was not uncommon to have a few slaves in the home performing everyday tasks, freeing up time for the citizens to participate in important political activities.
It is also important to note that slaves were sometimes seen as more than just property and could gain great reputation and respect with their owners. This was especially true when it came to important positions in the home, such as personal tutors or stewards. These individuals were often favored and trusted members of the family. They were taught, educated and even sometimes given positions of power and authority in the company.
Slaves were also necessary for the running of the business side of Ancient Rome. They were in charge of organizing and managing the day-to-day operations of the farm, shop, and other businesses. The skill and knowledge of the slave was a valuable asset and the owner would often times pay for the slave’s training. It was also not uncommon for the slave to receive monetary compensation for a job well done or even given the opportunity to purchase their freedom.
Slaves had an impact beyond the work aspect of Rome’s culture. They were even present in sporting events, such as chariot races, where these slaves were seen as heroes. In these events, slaves were free to compete and show off their athletic prowess and were sometimes even the victors. This allowed for the slaves to show their courage and strength, despite their oppressed position in society and gain respect from their peers.
Finally, slavery was not completely set in stone. The ancient Roman legal system allowed for slaves to buy their own freedom or even to be freed by their master. often this was due to a slave’s loyalty, skill or sometimes even charity. These freed slaves were then able to enjoy the same rights and privileges as the citizens of Rome. This gave the slaves in Rome the opportunity to improve their position in society and to be rewarded for their hard work and loyalty.
Impact of slavery in Ancient Rome
In examining the role of the slave in Ancient Rome, it is clear to see the importance of slavery in the flourishing of the empire. Slaves were instrumental in performing everyday tasks, as well as performing dangerous labor. They continuously proved their worth to their master and in some cases were even seen as equal members of the family. Through their hard work and dedication, slaves were able to gain respect and even sometimes freedom. This system was largely beneficial to the Roman society allowing for the growth of the empire.
Slave rebellion
Slaves were not always content within their positions and often riots would occur in order to try and improve the standing of the slaves. The first recorded slave revolt in Rome occurred in 73 BC and is known as the Third Servile War. It was led by a former gladiator called Spartacus and it lasted a total of two years. Spartacus was able to rally up to an estimated 120,000 slaves, who fought against the Roman army in order to gain their freedom. Though the revolt was unsuccessful, it provided a valuable lesson to the Roman government and introduced the idea of human rights.
Legislation regarding slaves
In order to better regulate and control the position of the slaves in society, the Roman government introduced many laws. These laws limited the enslavement of individuals, regulated the punishments that could be given and even proposed rules for the treatment. These laws were put in place to protect the slaves from any injustices or harm, though many were often broken and ignored.
Famous slaves
There are many famous story of slaves who went on to become prominent figures in society. One of these individuals was Tiro, the personal assistant and slave to famous orator Marcus Tullius Cicero. Tiro began as a slave but eventually was able to buy and gain his freedom. He was then able to take a prominent and respected position in Roman society, showing that even the most downtrodden of individuals had the potential to become powerful members of Roman society.
Being a slave in Ancient Rome
Being a slave in Ancient Rome was often a harsh and difficult life. Many slaves went through difficult and dangerous labor and were in a constant struggle to gain respect and freedom. Despite this, some slaves were able to still be successful and rise to the top of Roman society. This is evidence of the complex culture surrounding slavery and ultimately how important slaves were within the functioning of the massive Roman Empire.
