Slavery in Ancient Greece and Rome

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Slavery was the practice of taking a human being and making them do the work of another by force. This was practiced through out the ancient world and especially in Rome and Greece. Slaves were nothing more than just property to the ancient peoples. They didn't have the rights of citizens nor were they able to do what they want in most cases. Slaves had many tasks that they had to do, many of which included taking care of the masters house and kids, cooking and cleaning that house, herding the cattle for the farming families, being guards for some prisons, fighting for entertainment of the masses, and more common was sexual activities with the slaves. The most common use of a slave was to have the around the house to do common tasks such as cleaning the house, washing the clothing, cooking, and taking care of the infants with supervision from the mother. Although these were the major uses of a slave there were a few that also educated and were allowed to teach others what they have learned. Plutarch told a story of a man named Cato that had born a son, but he did not wish that his son to be taught by a lowly servant. He wanted his son to have a good education and to not have to owe respect to a slave. Cato wrote many books for his son so that he may never leave the house and encounter false teachings from others. He also taught his son everything that he needed to know about grammar and law. He not only showed his son about the exercise of the mind, he also showed him the exercise of the body also. Cato showed his son how to box, how to stay in shape and get ready for war. Cato wanted none of these things were to be learned from a slave, and none of them were. Slaves were teachers and house hold workers but also since they co... ... middle of paper ... ...re. Although slave revolts were uncommon in Greece, there were several in Rome. The most historical revolt was led by Spartacus and lasted about two years. This came about because Spartacus and several other gladiators broke out and started fighting the armies that came after them. This led to a more kind way to treat the slaves with the hope that they would not rise up again. In some places a slave could earn their freedom by either purchasing it with the small amount of money that their owners let them make or they could be set free in a masters last will and testament. Bibliography Lynn Hunt et al., The Making of the West: peoples and cultures, a Concise History (Boston:Bedford/St. Martin's, 2003), 43, 45, 132, 136, 179-180 "Plutarch, The Spartacus Slave War" In Spartacus And Slave Wars, ed. Brent D. Shaw (Boston: Bedford/ St. Martin's, 2001) 131-138

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