Introduction - Be the master

Question 1

1. What does it mean to be a Roman master?

Answer 1

• To be rich
• to be well connected with powerful people
• to think highlight of himself

Question 2

2. How does a master behave?

Answer 2

• socialises with people of rank
• keen to show status
• being firm when making decisions and acting as a leader
• a master has leadership of his household

Question 3

3. In what context is this written?

Answer 3

“There is a science of how to be a master, which proves that running a household and controlling slaves is the same as being a leader in wider society.”

Question 4

4. What is the purpose of this text?

Answer 4

• to educate aspiring masters who may not be experienced with how to manage slaves

Question 5

5 & 6. What is a slave, do they have rights and are these rights honoured?

Answer 5

To be a slave is

• complete submission
• to have no kin
• to not marry (but maybe to be allowed partnership)
• to perform any task the master doesn’t want to (not only those beneath the master)

Question 6

7. Describe the Greek vs Roman view on slaves and slavery

Answer 6

The Greek view (stricter):

• there are two natures, one that serves and on that leads
• slaves have bodies and minds suited for service while freemen are capable of reasoning, stand upright and have intelligent souls
• once a slave, always a slave

Roman view:

• only convention leads one man to own another
• there is no difference in nature between slave and freeman
• slaves are necessary for high living standards,but also to show status
• the Roman Empire was built including others and therefore it could also allow slaves to become freemen and citizens - it was in the interest of the empire in order to grow

Question 7

8. What were the advantages of using slaves instead of workers?

Answer 7

As estate owners got/seized control over growing estates they became unwilling to employ the former owners to farm the land.
These freemen could not be relied on since they could be drafted into the army at any time.

Relying on your slaves also meant you became more independent and did not need to ask for help.

Slaves would also carry out work on time, the way it was requested.

Question 8

9. How many were estimated to be slaves in Ancient Rome?

Answer 8

Italian peninsula - 1/3-4
Empire - 1/8
Rome - 1/3