Monday, September 15, 2008

Slavery In Ancient Rome

Manyof our insights into slavery in Rome come from the arts. Many playrights have taken the opportunity to pass this information through history to us. We see in various ways how slavery was similar yet different based on the time, the governement and the type of slave.

Life was not easy for slaves but even into modern times that was the case. Slaves were told what to eat, when to eat and how much to eat. They were also given their clothes and many only 1 outfit to last 2 years. Even farm slaves had to take great care to make their clothing last the harsh temperment of their position. We know though many different writings that slaves handled everything in a Roman household. This included cooking, cleaning, dressing the master, taking care of all needs, and anything else the master required. Many were seriously abused and hurt when things did not run as they should. Even if the slave was not responsible for the error. Many slaves were born into slavery and to them the master was the end all. Whatever the master said was the truth even if it was wrong. This is why slaves lived in their nitch for so long.

Slavery and the poor where the foundations inwhich the rich lived all they cared about was the reputation that was seen by their peers. Even a middle classes man could make his reputation seem higher if his servants followed their roles. The Slaves resprentated the majority of Rome yet it was the Masters who ruled all.


***My apologizies for this assignment being a day late. I am currently fighting bronchitis but doing much better now***

No comments: