It is difficult for us to realize the attitude of ancient
peoples toward their slaves. They were regarded as part of the chattels of the
house—as on a level with domestic animals rather than human beings. Though
Athenian law forbade owners to kill their slaves or to treat them cruelly, it
permitted the corporal punishment of slaves for slight offenses. At Rome, until
the imperial epoch, no restraints whatever existed upon the master's
power. A slave was part of his property with which he could do exactly as he
pleased. The terrible punishments, the beating with scourges which followed the
slightest misconduct or neglect of duty, the branding with a hot iron which a
runaway slave received, the fearful penalty of crucifixion which followed an
attempt upon the owner's life—all these tortures show how hard was the lot of
the bondman in pagan Rome.
POSSIBILITIES OF FREEDOM
A slave, under some circumstances, could gain his freedom.
In Greece, where many little states constantly at war bordered one another, a
slave could often run away to liberty. In a great empire like Rome, where no
boundary lines existed, this was usually impossible. Freedom, however, was
sometimes voluntarily granted. A master in his will might liberate his favorite
slave, as a reward for the faithful service of a lifetime. A more common
practice permitted the slave to keep a part of his earnings until he had saved
enough to purchase his freedom.
PERMANENCE OF SLAVERY
Slavery in Greece and Italy had existed from the earliest
times. It never was more flourishing than in the great age of classical
history. Nor did it pass away when the Roman world became Christian. The spread
of Christianity certainly helped to improve the lot of the slave and to
encourage his liberation. The Church, nevertheless, recognized slavery from the
beginning. Not until long after ancient civilization had perished did the curse
of slavery finally disappear from European lands.
