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DiScOvErInG HiStOrY 7. Slavery in Rome


The use of slavery was widespread throughout the Roman Empire. Usually slaves were people captured during one of the many wars Rome fought and won. They were brought to Rome and sold in the marketplace. Slaves were regarded as pieces of property and their masters were permitted to do anything they wished to them, including kill them. Slaves did either manual work around the house and on the land or – if they were educated – they worked as doctors, teachers or secretaries. In the houses of patricians there could be thousands of slaves. Even the poorer Romans had one or two. It is estimated that there were more than two million slaves in Italy at one point – about 20% of the population of Roman citizens. Slaves were sometimes permitted by their master to marry other slaves. However, if they had children they would immediately become the property of the master of the house also. Many slaves tried to escape even though there were very severe punishments for those who tried and for those who helped them. Professional slave catchers were sometimes employed to catch escaped slaves. When they were caught they were branded with a hot iron or crucified. It was possible for slaves to buy their freedom (manumission) but many slaves could not afford this or were refused it by their master.


People in History


2. Spartacus In 73 BC, 78 gladiators escaped from a fighting school in Capua, Italy.


Led by a Thracian called Spartacus, they attempted to revolt against the harsh conditions of slavery. They succeeded in raising an army of 90,000 slaves who fought the Roman army. After three years of warfare all across the south of Italy, Spartacus and his army were finally defeated. As an example to other slaves 6,000 of them were crucified all along the main road into Rome called the Via Appia. The body of Spartacus was never found but historians believe he was probably killed in battle.


Fig 2.18 An engraving of a Roman slave market by Gustave Boulanger.


✣ By the way


A film called Spartacus was made in 1960 and won 4 Oscars. Its tagline was ‘they trained him to kill for their pleasure . . . but they trained him a little too well.’


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