Roman Slavery Research Paper

Andre Farias-Herschelman

Dr. Aaron Berkowitz

Western Civ 101

1 December 2014

Slavery in the Roman Empire The Roman institution of slavery makes an important appearance in Roman blood; much like in actual history, slavery takes on forms of rural, urban, and freed slaves; all of whom can be compared to slavery throughout history, even nineteenth century America. Taking apart and observing accounts of the many lives and struggles of slaves in Rome can even paint a clear and vivid picture of the everyday life of Roman citizens. The never-ending machine that was Rome was powered by the hundreds and thousands of slave hands. “Slaves are the lifeblood of Rome”(18) says Gordianus, the main character of Roman Blood. As the main lifeblood of Rome,

Comparing American slavery to traditional Roman slavery could bring up many similarities between the two, but just as many striking differences. Beginning in 1619, Dutch traders brought the first African slaves to British colonies. Originally starting out as indentured servants, rights of the workers dwindled until 1641, the year slavery was made legal. Demographics of slavery consisted of only African Americans, boasting the large focus of race-oriented enslavement.(History) Roman slavery was a class-based system rather a race-oriented one, as most slaves in Rome were prisoners of war or obtained though military conquest.(ClassicsUnveiled) These differences caused a more divers and larger source of slaves than any American trade. People of all nationalities, from barbaric Germans to the sophisticated Egyptians all served Rome and her people faithfully for centuries. Education of slaves in the American south was an illegal practice, enforced by state laws such as South Carolina in 1740. While southerners widely opposed the education of slaves, the Church proved to be a source of enlightenment, and set up a school in South Carolina for slaves in 1743.(PBS) Roman slaves whom were education were privately tutored by their masters. More frequent amongst the rich, slaves such as Trio and Chrysogonus, received brilliant educations. “No grub from the stables, then, but clearly the educated and pampered servant of a fond master.”(3) claims Gordianus in reference to Trio. Some slaves were purchased in the effort to train them in certain fields of work, such as scholars, crafts people, and foremen. Such examples can be seen from Cato the Elder, a man who did as such.(Cavazzi) Influences from the Church in southern America had an impact on slavery in the south. Previously stated, the church schools set up in 1743 gave way to future generations of educated free men. Rome’s decline in slavery that accompanied the later