Transcript 6th - Slavery in Rome

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Slavery in
Rome
By: Connor Johnson, Jake Morris, Jeffrey
Yang, Peter Wilson, Connor Stroble
Introduction
In the past when there were huge differences in
social classes, slavery was imaginable. Many
cases of early slavery were men owning
women.
The rise of war, patriarchy, and private property
all had contributed to the rise of slavery.
Important Vocabulary
Slaves- People that have been conquered or purchased for
personal domestic and/or agricultural use.
Patriarchy- A male-dominant society.
The Rebellion of Spartacus- A two year slave revolt led by
the gladiator Spartacus, starting with the rebellion of 71
gladiators and eventually gaining about 120,000
followers.
Slaves by Nature- The belief that the natural state of some
people was to be enslaved, and enslaving them
benefited them and society as a whole.
Slavery and Civilizations
Slavery was common to almost all societies (Including
Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, Aztec Empire, China, and
India)
Slavery greatly differed between societies
Greece/Rome
● Slavery widespread and heavily depended upon
● Slaves= P.O.W., kidnapped by pirates, from long
distance trade networks
● Many slaves eventually freed but often abandoned in
old age
Slavery and Civilizations
(continued)
China
● Not common or a large source of labor, more of a status
symbol
● Slaves= criminals, sold peasant’s children, purchased
poor teenage boys
India
● Law/Religion offered security for slaves and
encouraged freeing them (less harsh than other
societies)
● Not dependant on slave labor (low caste people did
majority of work)
Making of Roman Slavery (Greece)
In Ancient Greece, slavery was widely
practiced.
In Athens, there were as many as 60,000
slaves.
In Greece, it was a very bad thing to become a
slave, but it was a good thing to own a slave.
The great philosopher Aristotle even thought
that some people were just “slaves by nature”
and that they should be a slave to better
society
Making of Roman Slavery (Roman
Empire)
● Slavery was practiced on a very large scale
● Slavery was not practiced to this level until the 1600’s in
colonial America
● In Rome, most slaves were captured during battle as
conquered people were taken captive
● By 0 C.E., there were 2 to 3 million slaves in present
day Italy
● Romans considered slaves barbarians
● Children of slaves became slaves
● Slaves would often be physically abused
Resistance and Rebellion
Rebellion of slaves was not uncommon.
High punishments for slaves that acted out.
A Roman saying was “Every slave we own is
an enemy against us.”
Spartacus (gladiator slave)
Growing following of rebellious slaves after
Spartacus
Free Response Question
Name four different functions or occurrences
dealing with Roman Slavery and then explain
one function’s significance on the civilization
of Rome.