In Our Time Roman Slavery
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Apr 5, 2018 Delving into the paradoxical nature of Roman slavery, the podcast discusses the extensive use of slaves in various sectors, the impact of slavery on Roman society, and the complexities of slave rebellions. It also compares Roman and American slavery, explores the role of slavery in shaping societal structures, and examines elite literary imaginings of slavery.
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Scale of Roman Slavery
- Romans didn't invent slavery, but they amplified it due to their vast empire.
- Military conquests provided a massive influx of slaves, unlike earlier societies who primarily used slaves for domestic service.
Scale of Enslavement
- At least 160,000 people were once marched from Italy to Rome to be sold as slaves after a Roman victory.
- Caesar's conquests in Gaul resulted in an estimated 1 million people enslaved, highlighting the sheer scale.
Slave Roles and Significance of Labor
- Slaves were omnipresent in Roman society, employed in various roles, from basic services to skilled crafts.
- Evidence from tombstones suggests that labor held significance for slaves, as they often recorded their job titles.