{"id":3046,"date":"2023-03-20T11:02:51","date_gmt":"2023-03-20T10:02:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.learnancientrome.com\/?p=3046"},"modified":"2023-03-20T11:02:51","modified_gmt":"2023-03-20T10:02:51","slug":"what-was-slavery-like-in-ancient-rome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.learnancientrome.com\/what-was-slavery-like-in-ancient-rome\/","title":{"rendered":"What was slavery like in ancient rome?"},"content":{"rendered":"

When one thinks of slavery, the first thing that probably comes to mind is the American South and the plantation system. But slavery was not just a American phenomenon. It was also present in ancient Rome. Slavery in Rome was different in many ways from what we think of when we think of slavery in America. For one thing, Roman slaves were not all black. They could be any race. Slavery was not based on race in Rome. It was based on power. The strong enslaved the weak. Secondly, Roman slaves were not all from other countries. Many were Roman citizens who had been captured in war or sold into slavery by their families. And finally, Roman slaves were not all treated badly. Some slaves in Rome were very well-treated and even held important positions in their owner’s home or business.<\/p>\n

Slavery in ancient Rome was a form of dependent labor performed by non-citizens. Slaves were acquired through warfare, piracy, and purchase, and were used for a wide range of purposes, from domestic work to manual labor.<\/p>\n

What type of slavery was used in Rome? <\/h2>\n

Most slaves during the Roman Empire were foreigners and, unlike in modern times, Roman slavery was not based on race. Slaves in Rome might include prisoners of war, sailors captured and sold by pirates, or slaves bought outside Roman territory. Roman slaves were considered property of their owners and had few rights. They could be bought, sold, or given away as gifts. Slaves could be freed by their owners, but this was not always done willingly. Some slaves managed to buy their freedom, while others escaped.<\/p>\n

There were many different types of slaves and they could be found in every walk of life in ancient Rome. Domestic slaves were perhaps the most common. Some were educated or highly skilled and therefore much sought after. Tutors for children, specialist cooks, and even hairdressers could command high prices.<\/p>\n

How did Romans treat female slaves <\/h3>\n