Friday, December 2, 2011

For Research 2

How could slaves become free in ancient Rome? 

The difference between here and there, here being America and there being ancient Rome, is that slavery was gone about a different way. In Ancient Rome, slavery was harsh, yes, but the slaves there knew they had a potential to be free. In America, it wasn't often that a slave was just let go. In Ancient Rome, they had that opportunity.

Ancient Roman times gave slaves the opportunity to eventually not be slaves anymore. They could buy there way out of slavery, (however that may happen seeing as they're slaves, where would they get the income from?) or maybe their masters would find it deep in their hearts to let them go after the work they needed done was done. However, that might be more punishment in itself. How would a slave survive not knowing what it's like to be free? As a slave they got shelter, food and water. They would have to find a way to survive on their own.

Source: Manumission, Slaves, and Freemen (pbs.org)

1 comment:

  1. Good point on how they would receive the income, since they were slaves. Keep up the good work

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