Women in a slave society The wealthy woman

Rome a true Slave-society

Some wealthy female Slave owners Melania the Younger (5 th century A.D.) had 8000 slaves which she manumitted when she became a Christian ascetic Melania the Younger (5 th century A.D.) had 8000 slaves which she manumitted when she became a Christian ascetic Pudentilla, wife of Apuleius, had several properties in the eastern Mediterrenean - had about 600 slaves Pudentilla, wife of Apuleius, had several properties in the eastern Mediterrenean - had about 600 slaves Livia, Augustus’ wife, had a huge number of highly specialized slaves: for example, had 6 cubicularii (bedchamber slaves) in her bedroom alone Livia, Augustus’ wife, had a huge number of highly specialized slaves: for example, had 6 cubicularii (bedchamber slaves) in her bedroom alone Ummidia Quadratilla, grandmother of Pliny’s friend had her own mime troupe (Pliny Epistulae 7.24) Ummidia Quadratilla, grandmother of Pliny’s friend had her own mime troupe (Pliny Epistulae 7.24) Humble slave owners – most had at least one slave if they could afford to. Humble slave owners – most had at least one slave if they could afford to.

The Role of slaves in women’s lives 1. Freed mistress from household chores (completely, or in part). By the end of Roman Republic – slaves of wealthy women did all household chores. 1. Freed mistress from household chores (completely, or in part). By the end of Roman Republic – slaves of wealthy women did all household chores. 2. provided women with the means to circumvent social conventions and provide protection in public. 2. provided women with the means to circumvent social conventions and provide protection in public. 3. slaves allowed women to circumvent legal restrictions; slaves and freed were used as business agents and representatives in legal activities women were otherwise prevented from 3. slaves allowed women to circumvent legal restrictions; slaves and freed were used as business agents and representatives in legal activities women were otherwise prevented from

Slavery and the relative independence of Roman women Household slaves freed women from ‘busy’ work, this allowed them to pursue other interests – social and economic Household slaves freed women from ‘busy’ work, this allowed them to pursue other interests – social and economic Slaves and ex-slaves were used as agents so that women were able to participate in many legal and business activities Slaves and ex-slaves were used as agents so that women were able to participate in many legal and business activities They acted as ‘extensions’ of their mistress They acted as ‘extensions’ of their mistress

Slaves used to circumvent social restrictions placed on women The loyal slave as go-between The loyal slave as go-between Keep mistress informed – provided access to ‘male space’ Keep mistress informed – provided access to ‘male space’ Trusted slaves delivered letters and notes of personal nature Trusted slaves delivered letters and notes of personal nature Slaves (male/female) could move freely in public Slaves (male/female) could move freely in public Slaves played important role in gossip – important Slaves played important role in gossip – important

Ovid, The Art of Love Ovid, The Art of Love Book I Part X: First Secure the Maid But to get to know your desired-one’s maid But to get to know your desired-one’s maid is your first care: she’ll smooth your way. is your first care: she’ll smooth your way. See if she’s close to her mistress’s thoughts, See if she’s close to her mistress’s thoughts, and has plenty of true knowledge of her secret jests. and has plenty of true knowledge of her secret jests. Corrupt her with promises, and with prayers: Corrupt her with promises, and with prayers: you’ll easily get what you want, if she wishes. you’ll easily get what you want, if she wishes. She’ll tell the time (the doctors would know it too) She’ll tell the time (the doctors would know it too) when her mistress’s mind is receptive, fit for love. when her mistress’s mind is receptive, fit for love. Her mind will be fit for love when she luxuriates Her mind will be fit for love when she luxuriates in fertility, like the crop on some rich soil. in fertility, like the crop on some rich soil.

Slaves provided protection As escort allowed women to leave house without fear of attack As escort allowed women to leave house without fear of attack Slave retinue served as display of her status and wealth (conspicuous social display Slave retinue served as display of her status and wealth (conspicuous social display No respectable wealthy woman would leave her domus without a train of slaves; protected her reputation No respectable wealthy woman would leave her domus without a train of slaves; protected her reputation

Slaves allowed women to circumvent restriction on their financial activities A respectable matrona could not involve herself directly in large-scale business activities (freedwomen could) A respectable matrona could not involve herself directly in large-scale business activities (freedwomen could) A woman could not be witnesses in business transactions (important way for men to establish bonds of obligations in business (one hand washes the other) A woman could not be witnesses in business transactions (important way for men to establish bonds of obligations in business (one hand washes the other) Women could not give surety in a loan Women could not give surety in a loan Slaves and ex-slaves could carry out these activities as agents of their mistress/patrona Slaves and ex-slaves could carry out these activities as agents of their mistress/patrona Freedmen were full Roman citizens Freedmen were full Roman citizens

The wax tablets from Murecine Wooden wax tablets found near Pompeii Wooden wax tablets found near Pompeii Several tablets record business transactions of women Several tablets record business transactions of women Case 1: Pyramus, slave of Caesia Priscilla, acknowledges receipt of a loan for 4,000 HS from the banker C. Sulcipius Faustus Case 1: Pyramus, slave of Caesia Priscilla, acknowledges receipt of a loan for 4,000 HS from the banker C. Sulcipius Faustus Case 2: Lollia Saturnina repays a debt incurred by M. Lollius Philippus (probably her freedman). The payment is made through her slave Gnostus. Case 2: Lollia Saturnina repays a debt incurred by M. Lollius Philippus (probably her freedman). The payment is made through her slave Gnostus. The woman did not involve herself in this transaction, but both her freedman and her slave serve as her agents. The woman did not involve herself in this transaction, but both her freedman and her slave serve as her agents.

Slavery and old Age If an elderly woman found herself childless, a slave or ex-slave could provide this service If an elderly woman found herself childless, a slave or ex-slave could provide this service Important for women without the property to support themselves. Important for women without the property to support themselves. Humble woman were able to raise a slave child and treat it like an own child, train it in some skill, manumit it and make it her heir. Humble woman were able to raise a slave child and treat it like an own child, train it in some skill, manumit it and make it her heir.

The injured slave girl P.Oxy L 3555, 1 st /2 nd Century AD P.Oxy L 3555, 1 st /2 nd Century AD “..from Thermouthion, ….I loved and took care of my slave girl, Peina, a hombred slave, as though my own little daughter, in the hope that when she came of age I would have her to nourish me in my old age, since I am a woman who is helpless and alone. [the girl’s hand/arm was severely injured by a slave running her over with this donkey, and Thermouthion is trying to get compensated] “..from Thermouthion, ….I loved and took care of my slave girl, Peina, a hombred slave, as though my own little daughter, in the hope that when she came of age I would have her to nourish me in my old age, since I am a woman who is helpless and alone. [the girl’s hand/arm was severely injured by a slave running her over with this donkey, and Thermouthion is trying to get compensated]

Conclusions By the late Republic - ownership of slaves provided women with a relative independence of movement in society that they did not enjoy in earlier periods By the late Republic - ownership of slaves provided women with a relative independence of movement in society that they did not enjoy in earlier periods The use of slaves and ex-slaves provided them with independent control over their finances and allowed them to participate (while not in person) in business ventures otherwise preserved for men only. The use of slaves and ex-slaves provided them with independent control over their finances and allowed them to participate (while not in person) in business ventures otherwise preserved for men only. Slaves allowed for the circumvention of social and legal restrictions on Roman women Slaves allowed for the circumvention of social and legal restrictions on Roman women Contributed tremendously to their financial independence Contributed tremendously to their financial independence Provided humble Romans with the means to provide for their old age when they had no children of their own. Provided humble Romans with the means to provide for their old age when they had no children of their own.