ANCIENT ROMAN SLAVERY

Slavery in Ancient Rome was accepted as a normal thing. It was an institution of common law, in which one person owns another. The Romans had the most slaves and used the slaves the most, in the world at that time.

SLAVE MARKETS

The slave markets were where the slaves were sold. Some Slaves were soldiers captured in war. While others were children of slave parents.

PUNISHMENT

If slaves thought to run away they would be punished. The punishment would be something like whipping, burning with iron, and sometimes even killing.

TREATMENT OF SLAVES

Slaves actually were treated kindly in ancient roman society, some were even treated like children.

WORK OF SLAVES

There were multiple places that slaves would work. They could work on farms, in business, and public building.

SLAVES ON FARMS

On farms slaves produced food and other goods that cities depended on. Some of the most important crops they produced were wheat, olives, vines, and grapes. These things made wine. Rome used these goods for trade and they’re the reason for Rome’s great economic wealth.

SLAVES IN BUSINESS

Slaves were involved in shops and public buildings. For example in barber shops the slaves did all the work and aided the manager. Some slaves managed shops on a full time basis. They did jobs like lending money, shop keeping, buying and selling merchandise.

SLAVES ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS

Besides farming and business public building was the most common job for slaves. They would repair aqueduct systems, roads, and arenas. These buildings were extremely important to Roman society and economy.

SATURNALIA

Saturnalia was a celebration much like Christmas for slaves. On this day the owners and slaves switched roles and the masters did all the work while the slaves got to relax and party.

HOW WAS SLAVERY BAD FOR ROME

The slaves were not treated well in some ways, and this helped in the annihilation of the Roman civilization. The slaves were doing jobs that the middle class would do for the upper class, this made some middle class citizens not have a job.

HOW BAD WERE SLAVES TREATED

Slaves were treated terribly, especially at slave auctions when they were stripped and left to stand there to be observed by bidders. This was degrading and mean. Just as bad was the slave owners selling their slaves into prostitution.

HOW THE SLAVES WEAKENED GOVERNMENT

The Upper Class had so many slaves they couldn’t afford them all so they had to let some slaves go. This added to the lower class, which the government had to pay to have them survive. This weakened the government funds so they couldn’t pay for the army. Without pay no one joined the army. This gave Rome no protection.