Seminar 8 - Slavery Flashcards
Aristotle - the enslavement of the masses
Poor were the slaves of the rich. All land was held in the few. For the masses the worst part of the constitution was enslavement.
Solon’s reformation of the system
He cancelled debts, loans and ‘shook off burdens’. The Athenian constitution (under Solon) regards the cancellation of debts and liberation of those previously enslaved through the ‘seisachtheia’.
Androiton’s fourth century view of seisachtheia
It was only a partial reduction of debt - some argue that it was only to downplay the radical nature of Solon’s reforms so that he would not provide radical inspiration for reform in 4th century Athens.
Herodotus’ story of Hermotimus
He had been captured and taken by his enemies and out up for sale; he was bought by Panonius of Chios. Panonius would procure and castrate boys and sell them at Sardis. Hermotimus and the household gained control and made Panonius castrate his children and then they castrated him.
Pausanias - How the Spartans treated the Messenians
The Messenians had to take an oath that they would never rebel. The would also bring half of their agricultural produce to Sparta. They were to wear black at the funerals of kings.
Plutarch - Spartans, Helots and Messenians
Spartans treated the Helots poorly. They used to get them drunk on unmixed wine and embarass themselves. Particularly harsh treatment came after the great earthquake when they rose up with the Messenians which posed a serious threat.
