A Brief History Of The Origins Of Slavery: Chapter 1

Summary

This video script delves into the ancient origins of slavery, tracing it back to early civilizations like Mesopotamia. It examines the first recorded legal codes addressing slavery, including the Code of Ur-Nammu, Code of Eshnunna, Code of Lipit-Ishtar, Code of Hammurabi, and the Code of Nesilim. Each code provides insights into the societal structure and treatment of slaves, with evolving laws reflecting changing attitudes towards enslaved individuals over time. The video promises a continuation in part two, exploring the timeline of slavery from antiquity to modern times.

Takeaways

• 📜 The history of slavery is deeply rooted in human civilization, with evidence of its existence in almost every culture and ethnicity.
• 🌐 Ancient Mesopotamia provides some of the first known legal records of slavery, indicating that the practice is older than the written proof available today.
• 🏛️ The Code of Ur-Nammu, dating back to circa 2112-2095 BC, is one of the oldest comprehensive legal codes that mention slavery, with 32 of its 57 laws having survived.
• 👫 Slaves in ancient Mesopotamia were categorized as 'rudd' (male) or 'gemi' (female) and had certain rights and freedoms, such as the ability to marry and potentially be freed.
• 💰 The Code of Eshnunna introduced the concept of valuing slaves in terms of currency, with different penalties for the death of a slave compared to a free person.
• 🔗 The Code of Lipit-Ishtar and the Code of Eshnunna are similar and likely influenced each other, both addressing issues like slave theft, manumission, and marriage.
• 👮‍♂️ The Code of Hammurabi, one of the most extensive ancient codes with over 300 laws, introduced the principle of 'an eye for an eye' and detailed punishments for various crimes involving slaves.
• 🤕 The Code of Hammurabi also provided harsher punishments for slaves who committed crimes or were troublesome, including execution and mutilation.
• 📜 The Code of Nesilim, dating back to 1650-1500 BC, showed a shift towards more humane treatment of slaves, with provisions for their protection and the ability to own property and buy freedom.
• 🔄 The ancient legal codes provide a historical timeline of slavery, offering insights into the evolving attitudes and laws regarding enslaved individuals over time.

Q & A

What is the significance of the history of slavery in relation to human civilization?

The history of slavery is significant because it is as long as the history of humanity itself and spans almost every single culture and ethnicity, indicating that the practice of subjugating others has been a part of human societies since the beginning of civilization.

What are the first known records of slavery in law?

The first known records of slavery in law come from ancient Mesopotamian civilizations, with the main five legal codes being the Code of Urnammu, the Code of Eshnunna, the Code of Lipit Ishtar, the Code of Hammurabi, and the Code of Nesilim.

What can be inferred about the civilization of Ur from the surviving laws of the Code of Urnammu?

From the surviving laws of the Code of Urnammu, it can be inferred that the civilization of Ur divided people into two categories: the 'Lu' or free person and the slave, known as a 'Rudd' if male and 'Gemi' if female. Slaves had some rights and freedoms, although the extent of these is unknown.

How did the Code of Eshnunna and the Code of Lipit Ishtar contribute to our understanding of slavery in ancient Mesopotamia?

The Code of Eshnunna and the Code of Lipit Ishtar contributed to our understanding of slavery by providing information on the social hierarchy and the price of slaves. They also addressed instances of stealing slaves, freeing them, and marrying them, with children of slaves not having the same rights as free-born children.

What societal distinctions are present in the Code of Hammurabi?

The Code of Hammurabi distinguishes three societal classes: free men, slaves, and a third category, the land-owning wealthy class.

What is unique about the Code of Hammurabi's approach to punishment?

The Code of Hammurabi is unique in its approach to punishment by following the principle of 'an eye for an eye,' meaning that any crime committed should be met with an equal measure of punishment.

How does the Code of Nesilim differ from earlier codes in its treatment of slaves?

The Code of Nesilim differs from earlier codes by showing a slight shift in perception towards slaves. It includes provisions and punishments for harm done to slaves by others and covers humane treatment, allowing slaves to choose who to marry, buy property, open businesses, and purchase their freedom.

What does the Code of Nesilim suggest about the legal status of slaves in comparison to free individuals?

The Code of Nesilim suggests that while slaves were still considered lesser than free individuals, they had more legal protections. It indicates that slaves could be harmed by others and that the perpetrators would be held responsible, showing a level of legal recognition and rights for slaves.

How do the punishments for crimes against slaves in the Code of Nesilim compare to those in earlier codes?

The punishments for crimes against slaves in the Code of Nesilim are less severe compared to earlier codes. It shows a move towards more humane treatment, with provisions for fines rather than harsher punishments like mutilation or execution.

What is the significance of the legal codes from ancient Mesopotamia in understanding the evolution of slavery?

The legal codes from ancient Mesopotamia are significant as they provide the earliest written records of slavery and societal attitudes towards enslaved people. They offer a glimpse into the evolution of slavery and the changing perceptions and treatments of slaves over time.