Slavery in ancient rome

1. Slavery in Ancient RomeSlavery in Ancient Rome

2. PeoplePeople

Servus & serva – slaveServus & serva – slave

Vernus & verna – home-born slaveVernus & verna – home-born slave

Fugitivus & fugitiva- runaway slave Fugitivus & fugitiva- runaway slave

Libertus & liberta- Libertus & liberta-
freedman/freedwomanfreedman/freedwoman

Libertinus & libertina- child of freed Libertinus & libertina- child of freed
slaveslave

Dominus & domina- master and Dominus & domina- master and
mistressmistress

3. Important TermsImportant Terms

Manumissio- freeing of a slaveManumissio- freeing of a slave

Pilleus- Wool cap (of freedom)Pilleus- Wool cap (of freedom)

Peculium- savingsPeculium- savings

FVG- abbreviation of fugitivus FVG- abbreviation of fugitivus
branded on the head of runaway branded on the head of runaway
slaves.slaves.

4. Who were the slaves?Who were the slaves?

New slaves generally came into the New slaves generally came into the
system either through warfare or in the system either through warfare or in the
kingdom and early Republic through debt.kingdom and early Republic through debt.

Thus slaves could be of all kinds of ethnic Thus slaves could be of all kinds of ethnic
and economic backgrounds. For example and economic backgrounds. For example
rich officers and officials from conquered rich officers and officials from conquered
enemies might become slaves.enemies might become slaves.

Children born to a slave mother were Children born to a slave mother were
slaves even if their parents were freed.slaves even if their parents were freed.

5. What was life like…What was life like…

The worst conditions were for unskilled slaves The worst conditions were for unskilled slaves
who worked in large estate farms or (Even worse) who worked in large estate farms or (Even worse)
in mines or other tough conditions where they in mines or other tough conditions where they
had a short life expectancy. had a short life expectancy.

But Greek and Roman slaves were sometimes But Greek and Roman slaves were sometimes
much better off than the free lower classes.much better off than the free lower classes.

Some slaves were highly skilled as teachers, Some slaves were highly skilled as teachers,
professors, doctors, artists, secretaries, etc.professors, doctors, artists, secretaries, etc.

Some who worked for the emperor or other Some who worked for the emperor or other
wealthy people became super rich themselves.wealthy people became super rich themselves.

6. DiscussionDiscussion
What is the difference between a What is the difference between a
vernus and a servus?vernus and a servus?
Why would a slave want to increase Why would a slave want to increase
her peculium?her peculium?
What might a pilleus cap symbolize?What might a pilleus cap symbolize?
How is Roman slavery like or unlike How is Roman slavery like or unlike
other kinds of slavery in America or other kinds of slavery in America or
elsewhere?elsewhere?