Chapter 1 - How To Buy A Slave Flashcards
- What selection of slaves were offered in Rome and where would you go to find them?
The Roman Forum (behind the temple of Castor) offered the lowest and roughest sort of slaves and should be avoided.
The better slaves are found in Saepta Julia (near the Pantheon). Their selection includes both slave boys (sometimes castrated) and slaves from exotic regions such as Ethiopia. They keep the bet ones hidden from the public so make sure to ask if they have anything special tucked away for premium customers.
- Where do slaves come from?
There are legal and illegal ways into servitude.
Slaves should either be captives from was or descendants from slaves, but among them you would also find poor people who illegally sold themselves or their children to clear debts or feed the remaining offspring.
It is also common to raise abandoned babies found on the rubbish dump as slaves even if these are technically freeborn.
There are also slaves who have been kidnapped through raids and piracy.
- How does the selling procedure work?
Regardless of the way into servitude, slaves will be sold in slave-dealer shops.
There, they will be placed on a platform for display. Newly imported slaves will have chalked feet to distinguish them.
Other relevant information such as birthplace and personal traits will be included on the label around the neck.
- What were the regulations of slave trade?
Slave trade regulations were included in the Curule Aedil’s Edict to ensure that consumers get enough information prior to purchase:
- diseases and other defects should be stated - flight risk
- tendency to loiter
- if free from liability or claim for damages
- origin (some tribes have better reputation than others - Britons make poor personal servants as they have rough manner and demeanour while Egyptian boys make excellent pets)
- Were there Roman slaves?
Yes, but the thought of it was horrible and no Roman would want to instruct or use a former Roman for menial tasks.
Roman slaves were sent for sale abroad.
It seems that among Roman slaves, it was not uncommon that they used themselves as bet when gambling.
- What are the pros and cons of home-bred slaves?
They know nothing else than slavery so cause less trouble and don’t bare grudge to their owner for the enslavement, but they are expensive and very time-consuming to raise.
The philosopher Seneca was a supporter of this method.
- What are the pros and cons of new slaves?
New slaves are like wet clay and can quickly be trained to do things in any desired fashion. Just remember that newly captured barbarians need to be broken in and it can take time before they accept their new status. Show them some leniency in the early days, perhaps even sympathy!
- What are the pros and cons of second-hand slaves?
They may already be broken in, but don’t always adapt seamlessly. If they come from an easy life, the countryside life may be exhausting.
- How can you balance your workforce?
It’s best to source your slaves from a code range of countries. It can be tempting to optimise co-operation by having slaves who speak the same language, but this can easily backfire.
At best, the slaves will conspire
among themselves to work lazily, sit about chatting, and steal from you; at worst, they will argue, fight and plot to escape or even murder you. It is far better to source your slaves from a range of nationalities. Then they will be unable to converse with each other. Not only will
this prevent servile collusion in shirking their work, but it will also force them to acquire the rudiments of Latin.
- What is a reasonable price?
The price you should be prepared to pay for a slave will obviously vary according to the quality of the merchandise, Be aware that slavcs are not cheap. On average you should expect to pay 1,000 sesterces for a healthy adult male, who is somewhere between fifteen and forty
years of age. A comparable woman will cost a little less, say 800. Given that a poor man can probably feed a family of four for little more than 500 sesterces a year, it will be
clear to you what a considerable investment slaves represent. Older and younger slaves will be a similar price, with the over-forties fetching about 800, and a youth between the ages of eight and fifteen the same. Those of
extreme old age or youth, the over-sixties and children below the age of eight, will be cheaper, costing perhaps
400 sesterces. Bear in mind that prices will be far higher if the slave has been trained in a skill, such as reading, accounting or barbering.
Of course, the sky is the limit if your funds allow.
- What to examine and ask about?
Be thorough when examining - dealers will try many tricks to make slaves look healthy (makeup), undamaged (cover up with clothes), younger (waxing). Make sure the men have both testicles as you may want to breed from them.
Ask the seller about character (criminal or depressive disposition, drink, gambling) and medical history (fertile?)
- What should be included in the contract?
Make sure you get a receipt including health and defect guarantees. Anything not specifically mentioned won’t be included.
Slaves may have possessions and these should be included in the transaction unless the agreement says otherwise
