House and Slaves 1

Question 1

Slaves: talking tools

Answer 1

The instruments by which the soil is cultivated: Some men divide these into three categories: 1) articulate instruments, i.e. slaves; 2) inarticulate instruments, i.e. oxen; and 3) mute instruments, i.e. carts

Question 2

Chattel

Answer 2

a movable possession; any possession or piece of property other than real estate [or a freehold]; Slave

Question 3

slaveholding society

Answer 3

Slaves are 20% or more of population. Their presence strongly impacts economy and
family life.

Question 4

Chattel slavery

Answer 4

People as property. No rights. Law doesn’t recognize any family relations. Can’t own property. Not even your own body. Socially dead

Question 5

How many slaves

Answer 5

By Augustus, (late 1 st c BCE) perhaps 20-30% of Italian population is slaves. By Antonine plague (late 2nd c CE), ca. 10% of non- Italian population are slaves. Egyptian census returns: 11% of population is slave. Mostly located in countryside

Question 6

Slavery is very old in Roman society

Answer 6

Appears in law code of Twelve Tables (450 BC). Harsher punishments for slave wrongdoers. Lighter punishment for harming slave than free
person. Conditions for emancipation

Question 7

Sources of slaves

Answer 7

Warfare, Piracy, Children of slaves, Exposed children, Legal punishment