Slavery in Ancient Rome

This book - in the Inside the Ancient World series - is a concise illustrated treatment of the topic of slavery in ancient Rome, aimed at middle school students. It includes many citations of original sources and makes a good first introduction to this important aspect of the ancient world.

The authors examine many of the crucial questions raised by the study of ancient slavery. What were the sources, in the Roman empire or on its fringes, for slaves? Once brought to Italy, how were they sold? How many were there in relation to the free population and to what extent was Rome dependent on them? Slaves were often highly educated and were valued member of private households, treated almost as family members. Others in mining, manufacture or gladiatorial schools could be brutalised. The attitudes of Roman Slave owners varied accordingly. Harsh treatment could lead to disastrous slave revolts, like that of Spartacus. On the other hand, slaves could ultimately be given or purchase freedom and, as freedman, even rose to high positions in the ‘civil service’ of the Emperors.