What were the Jobs of Slaves in Ancient Rome
Slavery in Ancient Rome was pervasive and divided into two main categories – slaves of the state and slaves of individuals. Slaves made up a third of the total Roman population and embarked on tasks ranging from agriculture and cooking to manual labour and entertainment. Slaves worked in all areas of Roman culture, such as architecture, literature, art and even politics. In the political arena, slaves sometimes held the role of administrators or even a member of the governing elite. In the agricultural sector, slaves worked as farm labourers, domestic servants, and gardeners. They tended to crops, preserved food, and carried out basic farm tasks such as ploughing, planting, and harvesting. Slaves were also trusted as cultural mediators, passing between the worlds of the enslaved and the free.
Slaves also had the opportunity to pick up skills outside of their traditional field of expertise. Slaves could become accustomed to working as teachers or tutors, for example, which could enable them to become educated in certain matters themselves, and thus give them the ability to earn a living outside of the hands of their masters. Likewise, slaves in Ancient Rome could learn from hands-on experience in engineering, metalwork, masonry, and other trades. These skills could even be passed down from one generation of slaves to the next, as slaves were often given to children as birthday presents to help them learn more. As such, certain trades that were brought about by slaves in Ancient Rome were incredibly well-developed.
When it comes to entertainment, slaves were highly valued and well-paid. Slaves were regularly employed in the public and private houses of the wealthy. They were expected to lead performances, operate works of art and exhibits, and even dance and sing. Other roles included domestic servants, cooks, and handymen. It is thought that their skills in the domestic sphere helped make them especially valuable, as this allowed them to function as ‘substitute wives’ in the eyes of their employer, who most likely could not partake in a conjugal relationship due to social or financial constraints.
For those enslaved in Ancient Rome, the deaths of their masters tended to be the only release from their bondage. The only other way a slave could gain their freedom was by beautiful the favor of their master by doing a good deed or behaving exceptionally well. Some slaves might even be freed on the basis of an extreme act of devotion or loyalty to their master. This was known as manumission and could result in the freeing of a slave after years of service. This was seen as a sign of loyalty to the master; some masters even freed slaves in their wills.
The idea of slavery in Ancient Rome is often either glorified or overlooked; however, it was an institution which drastically altered the lives of individuals, their families, and society at large. Although some slaves in Ancient Rome achieved a high level of recognition and respect, those who resided at the opposite end of the social hierarchy remained invisible. Many were employed in back-breaking labour, some suffered under inhumane conditions, and all lived in subjugation and bonds of bondage.
Slaves in a War Setting
Slaves in Ancient Rome also served as soldiers during times of war. Not only could they be employed as auxiliary forces, they also took on the role of bodyguards and military advisors. Slaves were also sent into dangerous and desperate battles as both a distraction and a show of loyalty to their masters, which had the potential to affect any chances of survival for those enslaved. For those slaves who survived war, the opportunity for freedom existed. Slaves who came out of battle victorious or distinguished in bravery or cunning could receive a discharge certificate that could grant them their freedom and protective rights under Roman law.
It is also important to note that the treatment of slaves in Ancient Rome was determined by their individual masters. Any punishments they received were placed upon them by the will of their own master, who was answerable to no one else. This meant that slaves could be chosen for both good and bad reasons and suffer at the mercy of their master – whether that be with physical and psychological torture, or through more lenient methods.
Whilst there were a range of abuses suffered by slaves, certain legal protections were in place to prevent them from cruel or inhumane punishments. This would largely depend on the age and health of the slave, as those who were minimally capable of work could not be threatened, ill-treated, or made to work the same hours and under the same conditions as healthy adults.
Slaves in Ancient Rome: An Overview
In conclusion, slavery in Ancient Rome was widespread, with slaves often contributing to a range of social and economic activities throughout the empire. From manual labour and domestic servitude to entertainment and politics, the job roles of slaves in Ancient Rome were varied and diverse. Whilst the majority of slaves were born into the oppressive institution, there were some cases where individuals could redeem themselves during times of war or through their devotion to a master. In addition, slaves were afforded some level of legal protection to ensure their rights were not grossly violated. Despite this, slavery was an incredibly oppressive institution which drastically altered the lives of many individuals and their families.
Slaves and Religion
Slaves in Ancient Rome were also expected to adhere to the same religious customs as their masters, and were required to prostrate themselves fully by bowing and stretching out on their faces before their masters’ altar. As such, slaves in Ancient Rome were often forced to convert to their masters’ own form of worship over their own practices, which could mean the sacrificing of an animal, attending their master’s religious rites, or making sacred oaths. Religion, however, also played a role in liberating slaves in Ancient Rome, as certain religions such as Christianity defined all men as equals, and therefore disagreed with slavery as a whole.
Slaves who did become Christians in Ancient Rome often led subversive movements based on the principle of equality between all men before the eyes of God. As such, many Christians of the time rejected the concept of slavery and the role of slaves in social and cultural spheres. It is believed that the growth of Christianity in Ancient Rome did lead to an anti-slavery movement and a gradual erosion of the institution of slavery over time.
Slave Rebellions
Slave rebellions in Ancient Rome also took place but usually weren’t successful due to the strength of the Roman army. Slaves who did rebel against their masters ran the risk of severe consequences, and would usually incur punishments such as branding or even death. In spite of the risks, some slaves did manage to organize their own events and even form military units to challenge their masters. The most famous example of a slave rebellion is undoubtedly the revolt of the gladiators led by Spartacus in 73 BCE, which saw thousands of slaves unite in an effort to overthrow the Roman Republic.
Although the rebellion was ultimately defeated, it serves as an example of the strength of slaves in Ancient Rome, and the power of collective action when faced with oppressive powers. This rebellion, whilst ultimately unsuccessful in the eyes of the social and political elite, instilled fear in the minds of upper class citizens and gave hope to the thousands of slaves previously oppressed by the institution of slavery.
The Impact Slavery Had on the Roman Economy
It is likely that slavery had significant economic consequences in Ancient Rome. Slaves acted mainly as domestic servants, but they also fulfilled roles as bankers, carpenters, textile makers, and agricultural workers – often doing the same jobs as free citizens, albeit for less pay. As such, it is believed that the use of thousands of slave workers in Ancient Rome disrupted the market forces of wages and employment, keeping the wages of free citizens low and making communication between workers difficult.
It is also possible that slavery led to the ruralization of Roman society and economy, as slave labour was transferred from the predominantly urbanized cities to the hands of wealthy landowners in the countryside. The dependence on slave labour also meant that no trade unions could exist in Ancient Rome, suppressing the rights of workers. In addition, the low cost of slave labour and the high cost of machines meant that industrial production was generally meagre, illustrating the negative side effects of the slave industry.
The Abolition of Slavery in Ancient Rome
Whilst slavery was an integral part of Ancient Roman society, it was eventually abolished in the 5th century CE due to the spread of Christianity in the region and its founding principles of equality for all before God.
Hundreds of years before the formal institution of slavery was abolished, however, the practice of enslaving people had begun to die out, as manumission became increasingly commonplace. This political and moral change in Roman society served two crucial roles: firstly, it provided a social and economic platform for freed-slaves and secondly, it propelled the movement for slave liberation forward.
The legacy of slavery in Ancient Rome remains, however, both in conspicuous and subtle ways. Whether it be the roles slaves had in Ancient Rome, the physical reminders of their oppression, or the continuing economic and social inequalities they faced, it is clear that slavery in Ancient Rome left an indelible mark on society.
