How Miserable Was the Life of a Roman Slave
Summary
Hosts Matt Rogers and Bow and Yang explore the diverse realities of Roman slavery, noting it was a broad institution based on conquest rather than race. The episode details the varied roles of slaves, from educated Greek tutors and domestic servants to agricultural laborers and gladiators, highlighting the stark contrast between privileged positions and brutal conditions in mines and quarries. It also examines the legal power of masters, routine punishments, and the formation of informal families and communities among the enslaved. Finally, the discussion covers resistance methods, includin…
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