Slavery

Written by octaviaminor Resident
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Should you chose to become a slave at Pompeii you'll need to read up on a few guidelines in order to understand your position as a Roman Slave.

Roman slaves came from all over the known world , they made up quite a large part of the population and as such had a very specific role to play as you will here in Syracuse.

Unlike Gor, there was no distinctions between slaves.. no red or white silks, certainly no passion slaves and a slave could be freed.

The majority of slaves were labourers, and worked the land, in their owners businesses, or sold to a ludus. These slaves had short and brutal lives. The lucky ones became household slaves.

Household slaves often enjoyed a lofty position at the heart of the Roman Family. Greek slaves were especially valued as they were often teachers, scribes, philosophers and most importantly, they were literate. These slaves were entrusted with the children of the family, often taken into confidence by their owners and quite literally where the cogs that made the whole system work.

A slave could own property and earn money under their owners name and patronage and eventually, a slave could earn their freedom at the discretion of their owner. Household slaves were valued and the good ones were treasured.

In public, slaves were fully dressed and their behaviour was a reflection on their owners. Slaves didn't kneel unless instructed to. The correct place for a Roman slave is standing behind their owner, with eyes downcast, ready to serve.

Discipline of slaves varied from house to house, but much like 'airing your dirty laundry' today, this was done in private. No self respecting Roman would let the world perceive his household as anything less than perfect.

City slaves were the property of the local government.  Any harm that came to them was subject to compensation and the hand of the law coming down firmly on the person who inflicted the harm. This includes the slavers who's care they were under.

To summarise, slaves were the lifeblood of Roman society and without them nothing would work. They are what the Empire was built upon and by. Despite their unimportance, slaves were essential and invaluable.

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For reference only - suggested bidding prices for slaves:

    1 farm slave (male) …………...................................27-270 denarii
    1.common slave (child)...........…….......................27-1067 denarii
    1 common slave (female)......…….....................53-1067 denarii
    1 common slave (male)......................................53-533 denarii
    1 special slave (gladiator, guard)...................270-533 denarii
    1 special slave (female, pretty or
        trained in special skills)……….................2700-10680 denarii
    1 skilled slave (carpenter, accountant,
        scribe, blacksmith etc)…............................533-2700 denarii
    1 Greek tutor slave.......................................5400-27000 denarii