Introduction
The practice of slavery is thought to have first begun in Ancient Rome. In the first century, Roman scholars and authors referred to slaves as serviles, indicating that these people were bought or sold in order to serve their masters. Slaves were an integral part of the economy of Ancient Rome and were used not only for labor and domestic duties, but also for other services such as law enforcement and as sexual objects. The status of a slave, however, was not determined simply by birth. It also largely depended on the social and economic condition of their masters. In Ancient Rome, slaves were mostly of foreign origin and were primarily acquired through war or purchase.
Ancient Romans and Slavery
In the early days of the Roman Republic, slavery was not yet a widespread practice. But as the Roman Empire expanded, more and more foreign captives were brought back to Rome as slaves, including people from places as far away as Britain and Germany. The ancient Romans also had a tradition of enslaving criminals, which is believed to have evolved into a formal system of punishment. Slavery did not become a major economic force until the Republic established its dominance in the Mediterranean region. This allowed the Romans to gain access to more resources and thus more slaves.
Slave Trade in Italy
The slave trade in Italy is believed to have significantly increased after the Battle of Cannae in 216 B.C. This battle was a major victory for the Carthaginian forces, resulting in the capture of large numbers of Romans. Most of these captives were sold into slavery. The slave trade in Italy was also boosted during the late Republic and early Empire by conquest and colonization. The Roman Empire was actively engaged in wars of conquest, which led to the acquisition of even more slaves.
Taking of Slavs as Slaves
The ancient Romans are known to have taken Slavs as slaves in the 3rd century. The Slavs were a large group of people in the area around the middle and lower Danube who spoke a language that was similar to the ancient Greek language. This made them an attractive target for the slave trade. It is estimated that up to one million Slavs were enslaved by the Romans during this period. These people were used in many different ways, including as laborers and soldiers, and some were even sold to wealthy Romans as personal servants.
Slave Laws
The Ancient Romans also had a well-defined set of laws governing the treatment of slaves. In the early Republic, slaves were considered the property of their masters and were largely subjected to their will. But as the slave population increased, enslavement became increasingly regulated. Slaves were granted certain rights, such as the right to appeal for manumission (being freed from slavery). In addition, Roman law also prohibited the use of physical punishment and abuse of slaves.
Decline of Slavery
The practice of slavery gradually declined in popularity in the late Roman Empire. This decline was largely due to the rise of Christianity, which viewed slavery as immoral. In addition, the decline of the Roman Empire made it increasingly difficult to acquire new slaves, as there were fewer wars of conquest and slave raids. As the Roman Empire collapsed, slavery was eventually abolished in 476 A.D.
Social Impacts of Slavery
The practice of slavery had a profound impact on Roman society. Slaves were viewed as necessary to the functioning of society, and their status as property meant that they had very few rights. Slaves were often used as a cheap source of labor, which allowed wealthy Romans to amass great wealth. But slavery also created an imbalance of power that led to a lack of social mobility for the lower classes.
Conclusion
The practice of slavery was an integral part of the Ancient Roman society and culture. Slaves were largely acquired through conquest or purchase, and the Ancient Romans is believed to have taken Slavs as slaves in the 3rd century. Roman law governed the treatment of slaves and prohibited physical abuse, but slaves were still denied basic rights and freedoms. As the Roman Empire collapsed, slavery eventually became abolished and the social impacts it had on Roman society remain to this day.
