Rome: Slavery in Rome (HBO)

Summary

The script explores the complex dynamics of ancient Rome, highlighting the diverse and dynamic city life, the relationship between free people and slaves, and the varying conditions slaves faced. It delves into the emotional bonds that could form between masters and slaves, the potential for slaves to be freed, and the societal roles slaves played, from household duties to administrative positions.

Takeaways

• 🏙️ Rome was a bustling metropolis with diverse cultures and religions, reflecting common urban challenges worldwide.
• 🌐 The city's dynamic nature was driven by a constant influx of immigrants, making it a melting pot of different cultures and religions.
• 🤝 The relationship between free people and slaves was complex, with slaves having some degree of free will and agency.
• 🏛️ Slaves in ancient Rome experienced a wide range of conditions, from appalling to relatively comfortable, depending on their roles and masters.
• 💰 Slaves could be highly valued for their skills, education, or physical attributes, with some even becoming wealthy and powerful within the household.
• 🔪 Slaves had the option to commit suicide as an honorable act if they despised their condition, reflecting the harsh realities of their existence.
• 🏡 Many slaves lived in close quarters with their masters, sometimes even sharing intimate moments, highlighting the blurred lines between servitude and personal relationships.
• 🛍️ The slave market was a significant part of Roman society, with slaves being bought, sold, and rented like commodities.
• 🏆 There was a possibility for slaves to be freed, offering a glimmer of hope and a chance to rise in social status.
• 🏆 The concept of a 'Roman dream' was similar to the 'American dream,' where slaves could aspire to freedom and social mobility.

Q & A

What is the primary characteristic of the city of Rome described in the script?

Rome is described as a dynamic and incredibly diverse city with a constant influx of people from different cultures and religions, all proud to be Romans.

How is the relationship between free people and slaves depicted in the script?

The script depicts a complex relationship where slaves have a degree of free will and can create dramatic situations. It also touches on the idea that slaves could have a wide range of experiences, from appalling conditions to living closely with their masters and being freed.

What is the significance of a slave's ability to kill themselves in the context of the script?

The script suggests that slaves had the option to kill themselves as an honorable act if they did not like being a slave, indicating a level of autonomy and the harsh reality of their existence.

What role does the butler or steward play in the household according to the script?

The butler or steward is one of the most powerful and rich slaves in the house, responsible for overseeing various aspects of the household and possibly having a significant amount of influence.

How did the cosmopolitan nature of Rome affect the composition of its slave population?

Rome's conquests brought people of many ethnicities into the city, both as slaves and freed people, integrating them into Roman society and contributing to its diversity.

What percentage of the Roman population is suggested to have been slaves?

Some estimates suggest that as much as 70 percent of the Roman population could have been slaves, highlighting the scale of slavery in ancient Rome.

What was the role of a body slave in the lives of their masters or mistresses?

A body slave was a personal slave responsible for overseeing the hair, makeup, and general demeanor of their master or mistress, and was also a constant companion, even during intimate moments.

How did the market for slaves function in ancient Rome?

Slaves were bought and sold like commodities in a gigantic market, with some being rented for short periods, and others being highly valued for their skills or physical attributes.

What was the 'Roman dream' for slaves as described in the script?

The 'Roman dream' for slaves was the possibility of being freed, as indicated by the example of a tombstone memorializing a young boy who went from being a slave to being considered a son.

How did the status of slaves vary within Roman society?

Slave status varied greatly, from those in appalling conditions working on state-run farms and in mines, to those living in close quarters with their masters and being treated with respect and even affection.

What was the significance of the awning and bench in front of the master's house for slaves?

The awning and bench were a place where slaves hoping to petition their master would wait, hoping to be admitted into the house by the powerful and rich slave in charge of admissions.

Outlines

00:00

🌆 The Dynamic and Diverse City of Rome

This paragraph discusses the complexity of Rome as a bustling city with a diverse population. It highlights the challenges faced by the city due to the constant influx of immigrants and the coexistence of various cultures and religions. The text also delves into the relationship between free people and slaves, emphasizing the varying degrees of freedom and autonomy that slaves could possess. The narrative explores the broad spectrum of experiences that slaves could have, from the harsh conditions in state-run farms and mines to the more privileged positions of slaves living in close proximity to their masters. The paragraph further illustrates the integral role of slaves in the functioning of Roman society, suggesting that without the underclass, the upper class would not be able to maintain their lifestyle.

05:01

🏛️ Slavery in Ancient Rome: A Complex Relationship

This paragraph explores the intricate dynamics of slavery in ancient Rome. It describes the market for slaves, where they were bought and sold like commodities, and the rental market where slaves could be hired for short periods. The text also touches on the different roles slaves could play, from being mere objects to being highly valued for their skills, education, or physical attributes. The paragraph further discusses the emotional connections that could form between masters and slaves, with some slaves even being treated with affection and respect. The possibility of slaves being freed is also highlighted, showing that there was a chance for them to rise from being property to becoming part of the household and even being loved by their masters. The narrative concludes with a reflection on the dual perception of slaves in Roman society, both as invisible and as individuals capable of evoking genuine emotions.

Keywords

💡Immigrant

An immigrant is a person who moves to another country to live there permanently. In the context of the video, Rome is described as an immigrant-based city with a constant influx of people from different cultures and religions. This diversity contributes to the dynamic nature of the city, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that come with such a multicultural environment.

💡Slaves

Slaves are individuals who are owned by others and are forced to work without pay. The video discusses the complex relationship between free people and slaves in ancient Rome, emphasizing that slaves, despite their lack of freedom, could have varying degrees of agency and even be valued members of households. Examples include the body slave who is responsible for personal care and the steward who manages the household.

💡Body Slave

A body slave is a personal slave who is responsible for the daily care and personal needs of their master or mistress. In the video, the concept is illustrated through the relationship between a slave and their master, where the slave is present during intimate moments and is deeply involved in the master's life, almost like a family member.

💡Cultural Diversity

Cultural diversity refers to the variety of cultures present in a society. The video script highlights Rome as a city with a rich tapestry of cultures, brought together by immigration and conquest. This diversity is a source of both conflict and harmony, shaping the social fabric of the city.

💡Slave Market

The slave market is a place where slaves are bought and sold. The video mentions the slave market as a significant part of Roman society, where slaves are traded like commodities. It also touches on the concept of secondhand slaves and the rental of slaves, indicating the commercial nature of slavery in ancient Rome.

💡Freedom

Freedom in the context of the video refers to the state of being free from slavery. The script discusses the possibility of slaves being freed as a form of reward or recognition, illustrating the potential for upward mobility within the social hierarchy of ancient Rome.

💡Roman Society

Roman society in the video is depicted as a complex social structure with a clear hierarchy, where slaves played a crucial role. The video script explores how slaves were integrated into various aspects of Roman life, from labor to personal relationships, and how their status could change over time.

💡Slave Treatment

The treatment of slaves in the video is portrayed as varied, ranging from harsh conditions in state-run farms and mines to more favorable treatment in households. The script emphasizes the contrast between the brutal treatment of some slaves and the more humane treatment of others, reflecting the complex attitudes of the Romans towards slavery.

💡Social Hierarchy

The social hierarchy in ancient Rome is a theme in the video, where different levels of status and privilege are evident. The script discusses the roles and expectations of slaves within this hierarchy, from the lowest-ranking door slaves to the highly valued and trusted stewards.

💡Emotional Connection

Emotional connection in the context of the video refers to the relationships that can develop between slaves and their masters. The script suggests that despite the power imbalance, there could be genuine affection and loyalty between slaves and their owners, challenging the simplistic view of master-slave relationships.

💡Self-Worth

Self-worth in the video is discussed in relation to slaves' decisions to live or die under slavery. The script mentions that some slaves chose to kill themselves rather than endure the indignity of slavery, indicating a strong sense of self-worth and dignity.

Highlights

Rome was a dynamic and diverse city with an immigrant influx and a mix of cultures and religions.

There was a complex relationship between free people and slaves in ancient Rome, with slaves having some degree of free will.

Slavery in Rome was not a monolithic experience, with a wide range of conditions and roles for slaves.

Slaves could choose death as an honorable alternative to enduring enslavement.

Some slaves held positions of power and wealth within households, despite their status.

Rome was cosmopolitan, with a significant number of slaves and freed people from various ethnicities.

The number of slaves in Rome was very high, possibly up to 70 percent of the population.

Slaves were essential to the functioning of the city, with roles ranging from laborers to personal attendants.

Body slaves were personal attendants who were present at all times, even during intimate moments.

Slaves could develop close relationships with their masters, sometimes akin to family.

Slaves were bought and sold in markets, with some being rented for specific tasks or periods.

There was a hierarchy among slaves, with some holding prestigious roles such as cooks or entertainers.

Slaves could be educated and held in high regard, especially if they were well-educated Greeks.

The possibility of being freed was a significant incentive for slaves in Rome.

Emotional bonds could form between masters and slaves, with some slaves being loved and mourned.

Slaves could rise from lowly positions to become influential within a household.

The Roman dream for slaves was the potential to progress from property to family member.

Transcripts

Brown was the big city in big cities

have similar problems and force you into

similar situations the world over you've

got this immigrant based city with

constant influx of people this

cheek-by-jowl of all these different

cultures different religions all of whom

at the same time a deeply proud to be

Romans so you've got an incredibly

dynamic but also incredibly diverse city

Rome was much more of a wild and chaotic

entropolis than it's often thought of as

one of the interesting things to try and

get right is the relationship between

free people and slaves how happy and be

a slave to a degree they have free will

right no decision but it creates a whole

different set of dramatic situations how

they rest well it must be you've got to

bear in mind what being a slave in

ancient Rome really meant you got an

incredibly wide range of experience of

being a slave how could you treat

something like that if it can't have

been a slave they can kill themselves

and it's an honorable thing to do if you

don't like being slave so you don't

accuse me of having slings this person

allowed himself to be a slave yeah Roman

would kill himself I will kill octavia

and merula tends to me but if she cannot

and I am taken alive then you must kill

me and then you must kill yourself your

survival would be inappropriate I

wouldn't think of living domina he's

like the butler or the steward but he's

one of the most powerful and rich slaves

in the house five thousand denarii that

much but he's still a slave

I needed ruin at all

your mother will let me out domina

there were appalling conditions for

slaves the huge state-run farms the

mines you went there you give you three

months you might survive that mill but

that's as the tiny fraction of slaves

many slaves are living in complete

conditions to trust alongside their

masters and mistresses and very often

they're freed this was a very

cosmopolitan city Rome had already

conquered much of the known world and so

there were people of many ethnicities

who came in both slaves and freed people

who came in an internment of the Roman

society no one knows how many slaves

that were in comparison with them what

you have to call free people in Rome but

it's a very very high number some people

suggest is as much as 70 percent think

of how Rome was built thousands and

thousands of people that literally died

in the building of Rome people they

brought with them either told hundreds

of thousands of slaves so that to the

point where they had one person just for

the drapes one person just the polished

statues and if they did it wrong he just

took him out and replaced them it slaves

they were maybe the most important

aspect of the city without them the city

couldn't exist without the underclass

there is no upper class they couldn't

live in the house they couldn't eat they

couldn't dress they couldn't do anything

attea and Siviglia are both constantly

attended by a body slave who is a

personal slave and it would be

responsible probably for overseeing

things like hair and makeup and their

general demeanor and comportment but

he's also there just as a constant

companion Marilla is my body slave which

was a woman that was with them at all

times from when they went to the

bathroom to if they made love to it at

all times even in your most intimate

moment they do your makeup and your hair

but then they like stay with you all the

time all over time that's a little too

close for comfort for me what is left

when just now I can't avoid to fall in

her she's a sort of a black soul of hair

you know it's always present she knows

everything in the house she knows

everything of the private life of these

people she's probably known me since I

was a baby and it's like my mother I

care for her and she looks out for me

and should anything happen to her I

might surprise myself and feel one

little tear roll down there are you know

small and meaningful exchanges and you

know you to imagine that this body-safe

has been around for quite a long time

and it's in a position of trust I long

to be together

I'm a body slave to Siviglia I'm very

close to her when she asks for my

opinion I'll give it great affection he

could not say love would you have him

pluck a harp he's a soldier not a poet

the day dwindles I guess I'll be

arriving there's an intimacy there I'm

older than her

I've suffered she's suffering I'm loyal

it's a fierce loyalty these people which

is there to service your life and they

were very lucky because they're in a

position it should be respected and

they're living in a beautiful house and

being fed and clothed basically by

slaves as a business that took place in

the gigantic market at auction

well slaves were basically like buy a

car 5566 they saw if you had one slave

that was ok if you were 3/3 slave house

that it showed your prosperity it's all

skin and bone hey you want a good price

let us feed them up put some fat on them

a couple of weeks of easy living and

these puppies will sell like duck hearts

you can get secondhand slaves

unfortunately there's also a rental

slave market so you can rent slaves for

the day or for the week and there's also

a top end of the market being a cook or

being possessed of of AG lovely singing

voice or perhaps also just being

possessed a great physical beauty

they were just objects I mean like like

a table or a chair just your property to

do whatever you wanted with it's given a

sense also of the way in which I think

Romans might have regarded slaves which

is curiously complex is both that they

weren't really there they didn't really

count come to sell my stock

but on the other hand they were also

really human and they were people whom

you could feel real emotions towards and

and you could really even come to love

father bought him back from God he was

selling him as soon as you get some

caliber some slaves had a certain amount

of status if you were a very

well-educated Greek you would be

incredibly expensive for one thing and

you'd be a very valued asset to whoever

owned you and probably treat it fairly

well it's probably the only time in

history

captors ie the Romans became the

captives because they worshiped

everything Greek they were used as

administrators and treasurers and

trusted advisors to many of the leaders

poscar here thinks I should accept Druce

make peace in exchange for what

Caesar has a special relationship with

his slave pasca peace is its own reward

slippery Caesar trusts him implicitly if

I am NOT a tired if I merely seek

legitimacy why would I not accept such

favorable terms he

uses to meet us in person

Amy M zero actually says if I don't come

out of this battle I just want you to

know you will be free man the great

price held out to all slaves in Rome was

the possibility of being freed there's a

lovely example on one tombstone someone

is memorializing a young boy who died at

the age of 17 and it simply says once a

slave now a son and I've always thought

that summed up the attitude in the

Romans had Falls their slaves which is

that you could progress all the way from

being just something that was bought and

could be sold to being something that

was essentially part of the house on

someone about whom you out real for whom

you had real affection for whom you felt

real emotions

there was a Roman dream just like an

American dream you could make it this

bench here with the awning over it is a

place where the people who came to pay

courts to the great master of the house

they would hope that they were going to

get admitted in through that door over

there and they would be allowed to go

and put their petition the person who

comes out through the door is one of the

most powerful and rich slaves in the

house and he had the power as to who

should be admitted and who should be

left outside so that's the top end of

the slave spectrum but also outside the

door you would have seen people at the

very bottom end of the hierarchy and

they may well be attached to something

like this you'd be brand on your arm or

more likely when they branded you here

maybe if you stayed here 20 years you

could graduate up from being the door

slave standing here to being the rich

master slave of the household the

steward and you can come out here and

give the Freeborn Roman sir a hard time

get your own back