By Qua-Lyn Morris, Chelsea Villafane, Taniya Williams
Slaves were very important to Romans. Spartacus was a famous Roman slave who escaped and formed a group of slaves who defeated the Roman army in battle. All slaves and their families were the property of their owners, who could sell or rent them out anytime they wanted too The law in Rome was that if the father needed money they could sell their older children as slaves.
The slaves who had the hardest lives were the ones who were put to work in the mines. They had to spend long hours underground in hot, cramped conditions. The mines were so unsafe often some slaves were killed in accidents. Some slaves were called “public slaves” they worked for Rome. Their job was to build roads and other buildings and repair the aqueducts that supplied Rome with fresh water. Others worked as clerks and tax collectors for the city.
Gladiators were divided into categories based on how they fought, their armor, and weapons. “There were horseback gladiators, gladiators on chariots, gladiators who fought in pairs, and gladiators named for their origin” The best most talented gladiators were sent to Rome to fight battles, woman and men could be gladiators Poor and non-citizens could enroll into gladiator school they would receive regular food, housing of sorts and a fighting for a chance of fame and fortune, they would usually keep prizes and money they received
As punishment, slaves would get whipped, chained, and tortured. They were also sometimes sexually abused. Sometimes their owners would kill them for any reason. They would also get branded so the owner would know that they were his property.
Women slaves were used as hairdressers, dressmakers, cooks and servants for rich women Some slaves were well educated, especially those from Greece, and they would teach the children of the house. Other slaves worked in small workshops making leather or silver goods or pots and pans.
Most roman slaves were usually prisoners captured in war, some were kidnapped in Italy Slaves were to do exactly what their masters told them to do or they would suffer getting beat many slaves would try to run away, if they got caught slave owners would beat them It was hard for many slaves to try and set free because many didn’t speak Latin
Another difference between Roman slavery and its more modern variety was the ability for slaves to be freed Some roman owners freed their slaves outright and some would allow their slaves to go on their own Some slaves would work harder than others just so they could be free
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