Roles Of Slaves In Ancient Rome

In the Ancient world, it was common for individuals to have another human being as their legal property. The populous of Ancient Rome encompassed a large subordinate group of slaves and freedmen who were obliged to serve its residents. Unlike the contemporary world, these slaves did not have an identifiable race but instead comprised of prisoners of war, foreigners, and even Roman children who were sold into slavery. Slaves conducted labour for city projects such as buildings, aqueducts, roads, and worked in mines and farms. As Rome transitioned from the Republic into the early imperial period, political competition decreased and so aristocrats were left to compete in a private sphere through the status of their households. Residents considered

slaves and freedmen a key factor in the competition, making the domestic space a significant work environment. As the slaves conducted their roles efficiently and provided entertainment to highlight the rank of their masters, an emotional bond was established between the master and slaves that ultimately lead to the flourishing of the household.
To start off, single-family homes called domus which were usually owned by Romans of the upper class and wealthy freedmen typically contained a large population of slaves assigned with specific duties to keep the household functioning. When the political organization of Ancient Rome shifted to Imperialism, competition among elites transferred into the private sphere, separate from the Emperor. Thus, one of the most significant themes of the Italic civilization regarding roles of domestic slaves included the enforcement of house rules. Several elites established domestic rules and customs to emphasize their power to visitors. For example, in Petronius’ Satyricon, there is a custom in Trimalchio’s household when a guest enters the property whereby upon their entry, “one of the slaves, who is entrusted with this duty, cries, ‘right foot first’” (Petronius, Satyricon 30). By enunciating the rule of crossing Trimalchio’s threshold, the slaves are not only carrying out their responsibility of enforcing their master’s rules but are also simultaneously highlighting their master’s omnipotence. Furthermore, Petronius describes “a porter in green clothes with a cherry-coloured belt” (Petronius, Satyricon 28) who stands in the entrance to greet guests. Slaves with this duty would have a certain degree of political power in the household as they controlled who was permitted to speak to their master. Through these slaves, aristocrats would not have to face constant intervention by nugatory individuals.
Furthermore, by having each slave perform one specific function, a large variety of occupations could be found in the domestic realm.

Significant roles included an atriensis who would be in charge of household administration, silentiarius who would keep slaves disciplined, and dispensator, a household manager in charge of supplies and storage (Burks, 2008, p. 37). In some estates, slaves would be specialized in a specific field and be treated as free individuals. Therefore, a proprietor who acquired slaves that enjoyed liberal education would possess doctors and tutors in service for their family (Carcopino, 2003, p. 58). Additionally, Roman elites were in the practice of displaying their wealth and outdoing each other in banquets. In order for them to be successful, elites would require slaves with expertise in hospitality. For this purpose, households would accommodate hair dressers, masseuses, foot washers, attendants, maids, and chefs (Burks, 2008, p. 61). Through these slaves, elites could display their family’s wealth and prestige to visitors, fundamentally adding to the prosperity of their

households.
Furthermore, proprietors in Ancient Rome would purchase slaves that provided entertainment to friends and family. In Trimalchio’s household, his slaves sang and danced while serving the guests. Even during unpleasant assignments such as paring the visitor’ hangnails, Trimalchio’s servants were proficient in keeping their act. As the freedmen noted, “it was more like an actor's dance than a gentleman's dining-room” (Petronius, Satyricon 31). Through superlative entertainment, visitors were able to observe and admire the host’s wisdom of inculcating the household slaves. Furthermore, certain performers such as jesters, dancers, and acrobats would charm and amuse the master and guests during and after meals. Finally, a minority of slaves would be hired solely due to their peculiar appearance such as “two long-haired Ethiopians” (Petronius, Satyricon 34), eunuchs, and “boys from Alexandria” (Petronius, Satyricon 31). Through risible scenes, thralls with unusual physical abnormalities would serve as the embellishments of a household.
However, one significant group of slaves utilized by elites to highlight their power, wealth, and strength were gladiators. These men who were trained for single combats were labeled as among the lowest class in a society that favoured social status and political rights (Reid, 2010, p. 207). Nevertheless, Ancient Rome contained an ardent populous during the imperial era who expected “to be given a superb spectacle lasting three days […] by a troupe of professional gladiators” (Petronius, Satyricon 45). Games not only consisted of duels between gladiators but also animal hunts against beasts such as bears, bulls, and lions. There were also chariot races consisting of laps up to six miles (Burks, 2008, p. 50). The chariots were enhanced with pointed metals and pulled by two or four horses, making it detrimental for the slaves who drove them. To make the spectacle more substantial, masters ordered their slave gladiators to keep their chests exposed (Reid, 2010, p. 209). This would portray the gladiator’s willingness to die for their masters and serve as a symbol of their dignity in the arena. Victory for slave gladiators would not only mean prestige for them, but particularly for their masters. By displaying aristocratic virtue for tradition, the rank of elites would increase in society through the utilization of slave gladiators.
In addition, slave gladiators did not only serve as entertainment, but were also utilized to implement policy and confer influence.

For example, in Annals, Tacitus describes that the Roman Emperor Nero surrounded himself with “a number of gladiators, who, when a fray began on a small scale and seemed a private affair, were to let it alone, but, if the injured persons resisted stoutly, they rushed in with their swords” (Tac. Ann. 13.25). These slave gladiators who were trained in agility and precision displayed their master’s significance to the public through their protection for him. As a result, slave gladiators were treated well by their masters and were a prominent class of slaves that added on to the value and affluence of a

household.
Finally, through the roles implemented by slaves in a household as servers and entertainers, an emotional bond was established between the labourers and their masters. Elites who portrayed commiseration towards their slaves became popular in society, increasing the rank of their households. For example, in Pliny the Younger’s Letters, he writes of the sorrow he bears due to a sickness which has spread to the slaves of his household. Pliny manumits his slaves and allows them to draft informal wills on their deathbed to let them die with ease “for to slaves, the house they are in is a kind of state and commonwealth, so to speak” (Plin. Ep. 8.16). Pliny the Younger confers genuine emotions to his slaves which keeps them content and makes him a reputable master. To add on, another elite known for generosity to his slaves is Emperor Claudius. As Tacitus notes: “Claudius, we know, raised freedmen whom he had set over his household to equality with himself and with the laws” (Tac. Ann. 12.60). The domus Caesaris of Claudius was famous as a miniature republic where he provided his freedmen with explicit rights. The generosity of these two elites and the labour of their slaves flourished their households and kept their manumitted slaves bound to their former masters with filial respect (Carcopino, 2003, p. 59).
To further encourage loyalty from their slaves, owners in Ancient Rome would reward the slaves when they carried out their work correctly and efficiently. In Satyricon, Trimalchio cherishes a young intellectual slave just as he would care for a son, stating that he “kissed that excellent boy not because he is beautiful, but because he is excellent” (Petronius, Satyricon 75). By portraying his affection to the young man in front of his guests, Trimalchio proves that he is not afraid to publicly display an emotional bond with a slave. Furthermore, Pliny the Younger displays his affection to his slaves by paying for an expensive trip to Egypt for a sick freedmen named Zosimus claiming “that nothing contributes more to raise and inflame our love for any object than the apprehension of being deprived of it” (Plin. Ep. 5.19). Visitors would have reverence to healthy familial bonds between slaves and masters and when it gained notoriety, it would ultimately enhance the Roman households.
In conclusion, the imperial era of Ancient Rome represented a crucial time in which aristocrats privately competed with one another through the eminence of their households. The predominant element that led to the prosperity of the estates were the slaves and freedmen who were obliged to serve the Roman residents. Conducting their roles as attendants, foot washers, and chefs, slaves would keep the household functioning by providing prodigious service to the inhabitants. By delivering entertainment to the guests through acrobatics, music, and dance, they would gain recognition from their masters. Particularly, entertainment by the slave gladiators were utilized to highlight the master’s power and superiority in society, adding on to the opulence of the family name and household. By pleasing their master in conducting their roles as slaves efficiently, an emotional bond between the master and slaves were established. This bond was then recognized in society and the social reputation of the slaveholder was greatened. In the extensive society of Rome, a powerful household comprised of both satisfied servants and masters, and together symbolized one of the many features of the early Roman Empire.