Slavery In Ancient Rome

As the Roman Republic and Empire ruled over much of the Mediterranean, Europe and even portions of Africa, for hundreds of years, we can only wonder how an Empire so large, powerful and advanced beyond its years could have had as much of a presence as they did for such a long period of time. The impact of slavery within Ancient Rome I think was the main reason for its incredible success. Between the sheer numbers of slaves the Romans had, the techniques in which they went about acquiring slaves, and the labor in which the slaves endured, are all direct correlations to the sustained success that the Roman Empire had for such as long period of time. Roman slaves were not just people of other races or ethnicity in any stretch of the imagination.

At any level of the social classes in which you were associated, the likelihood of you owning a slave or a hundred was very likely. A rich Roman man might own as many as 500 slaves and an emperor or Roman elites could have up to 20,000 slaves at their disposal. As a result, the Roman elites were at an all time high in regards to wealth and this demand for them to “stay at the top” enhanced the not only popularity but reproduction to which slavery had to offer. Under Roman law, slaves were legal, considered property, rather than people. They had no legal personhood, and slavery was a legal institution under which each household or family had their own way of conducting the actions of their own slaves. Slaves worked in a wide range of occupations that can be separated into five main categories; household or domestic, imperial or public, urban crafts and services, mining and agriculture. As mentioned previously, sense slaves were labeled as property, owners could use them as they desired. In some rare instances, slaves that had become prisoners to slavery possessed a skillset that was more expansive than just that of sheer labor. W. V. Harris makes it a point of emphasis that in certain instances, slaves could play an important role in some families financial

Beginning with the construction between 73-75 A.D, the Roman Coliseum was a structural work of art way beyond expectations of any during its time, and is arguably one of the most highly regarded structures till this day. Designed from the fundamental principles of Roman architecture and a capacity that seats over 50,000 spectators, the Coliseum was not only constructed through the labor of Roman slaves, but the location for which most Roman slaves “performed”. An estimated 100,000 prisoners of slavery played some role in just the construction, and that doesn’t even include those who participated in the events that took place within. The ideal form of entertainment to the Romans was something that included drama and death, and the Coliseum provided just that. Whether it was chariot races, wild animal fights, mock sea battles, circus acts, or the most sought after event, gladiator fights! Even though this form of entertainment was cruel and brutal, it satisfied the role of entertainment for the Romans. Such events were usually free to the public, and the emperors believed it was a good way to keep the people of Rome happy and content with the way in which the Empire was being governed. The government provided free breed and entertainment- a combination that they believed satisfy their people. This