Roman Slavery —

The circumstances in which slaves lived varied drastically. Slaves serving a family in urban settings were said to be much better off, often living with their master families, having close relationships with them that could aid in them being granted positions of great authority within the family, or being given status as a freedman: A once slave turned free, and given Roman citizenship. Slaves living in rural conditions on country estates and farms are spoken of in ancient literature as generally having more difficult lives. They were involved in physical labour, and not in close proximity to their master or family and, therefore, did not have the same access for relationship development and opportunities. While urban and rural contexts would make a difference in the slave’s life, the personality of the owner had an even larger impact. Slave were entirely at the mercy of their owner’s temperament. With legal protection favouring the owner.

Interestingly, going into Roman slavery was compared with death, because when you became a slave all your previous relationships and social ties were cut. Your marriage was nullified, family relationships severed, your business and partnerships ended, legal protection of your personhood was removed, anything that you did in your old life was removed and you now served your master with all of yourself. This concept of a slave dying to their old lives and living a new life for their master is interesting given the apostle Paul’s discussion of how Christians were to see themselves. As slaves of Christ, purchased, dead to themselves and living only for God.

Roman slavery did not have to be permanent, however. Slaves could purchase or be granted their freedom and become freedmen. They were still required to pay respect to their former owner, and work for them for a set time each year, but they could become legal citizens and rise quite high in Roman Society. It is important to note however, that just because the possibility for freedom was there, did not mean that it was attainable for all or even most Roman slaves.