History of Slavery in Ancient Rome

Did you know that 1 in 5 people were slaves during the Roman Empire?
This video is all about the widespread institution of slavery in ancient Rome.
Slavery was a widespread institution in ancient Rome with 1 in 5 people serving as slaves during the time of the empire, but the institution of slavery went back to the Kingdom of Rome dated between 753-509 BCE, and it developed during the time of the Republic between 509 and 27 BCE - before becoming the most prevalent form of free labor during the Roman Empire - from 27 BCE to 476 CE. Slaves were originally prisoners of war but, in time, could be those sold by their families to relieve debt, those kidnapped by slavers, convicted criminals, or those born into slavery. Slaves had no rights and no recourse to the law as they were viewed as the property of their masters just as a chair or couch or cup would be.
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- CHAPTERS -
0:00​ Introduction
0:41 Slavery in Ancient Rome
1:43 Slavery During the Republic
3:13 The Status & Roles of Slaves
6:16 The Servile Wars and Slave Rebellions
8:47 Outro
- WANT TO KNOW MORE? -
Slavery in the Roman World
www.worldhistory.org/article/...
Marcus Licinius Crassus
www.worldhistory.org/Marcus_L...
Spartacus
www.worldhistory.org/spartacus/
The Spartacus Revolt
www.worldhistory.org/article/...
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- ATTRIBUTIONS -
You can find all attribution and credits for images, animations, graphics and music here - worldhistory.typehut.com/hist...
The music used in this recording is the intellectual copyright of Michael Levy, a prolific composer for the recreated lyres of antiquity, and used with the creator's permission. Michael Levy's music is available to stream at all the major digital music platforms. Find out more on:
www.ancientlyre.com
open.spotify.com/artist/7Dx2v...
/ @michaellevymusic
World History Encyclopedia
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#history #ancientrome #slavery

[@WorldHistoryEncyclopedia]

Why do you think there weren’t more slave uprisings in Rome?

[@user-kf8uh3ug7m]

Look up Boudica

[@WagesOfDestruction]

Nothing major; towards the fall of the Western Roman Empire, we see many slaves joining the invaders.

[@troydodson9641]

Just found your channel right after I found Micheal Levy. Fantastic stuff, and I thank you

[@clivemendonca2864]

Your way of teaching is very convenient. Thank you so much dear Mam...

[@WorldHistoryEncyclopedia]

We're so happy to hear that. Thank you!

[@user-kf8uh3ug7m]

This is brilliant.

[@merlizaserna]

Thanks, Mam Kelly!

[@WorldHistoryEncyclopedia]

You're very welcome. 😊

[@michaelolsson5335]

I think the reasons why insurgencies weren't frequent dependends on a number of things. One could be lack of organisation, meaning a man or group that could rally slaves. Another is the fear for your life, further more they were branded (tattoo in their face) so they were easaly recognisable as slaves. The suppression was a great impediment (probably).

[@VictorAgredaJr]

Fascinating! I just happened to finish the Doctor Who (Hartnell) series where Barbara and Ian become Roman slaves and the Doctor is “inadvertently” responsible for Nero burning Rome!

[@WorldHistoryEncyclopedia]

Nice! Thanks for watching!

[@ExplainingChristianity]

Interesting

[@WorldHistoryEncyclopedia]

Thanks!

[@eddiekedze1322]

I suppose the brutality and sometimes deadly outcome to slaves who attempted rebellion by their Roman slavemasters proved to be deterrent enough for further uprising. Slaves who attempted an uprising did so I suspect with realisation that they could possibly pay the ultimate price should they be unsuccessful.

[@WorldHistoryEncyclopedia]

That's very true. A sad fact of life for them. Thanks for watching!

[@Tekmirion]

Too many slaves were at the ancient times but how they were used by their masters is the big difference

[@WorldHistoryEncyclopedia]

Very true. Thanks for watching!

[@rpvofficiel2184]

spartacus was also a slaves

[@davidlucey1311]

Was there any protection for free people from piracy?

[@heyheyheyLIC]

so what made slavery end?

[@Reign_Of_Is_REAL]

Slavery hasn’t ended, the methods just changed. 😢

[@MaxPotentialGreatness]

Maybe the rise of Constantine

[@polishherowitoldpilecki5521]

@@MaxPotentialGreatnessChrist

[@tcp1623]

The Roman Empire was a militarized empire. There must always have been some soldiers around somewhere; or pensioned soldiers who could use a sword if necessary. Sure, gladiator could be a fierce force with weapons in their hand, but those were weapons adjusted to arena fights, not weapons that were the best weapons to use if you were to build and work like an army. And then there are the traitors. Could you trust your fellow slave? Some slaves would have been very faithful to their masters, and counting on better living conditions by being very loyal to their owners. And then, last but not least - the scared and the deceitful who would gladly betray their fellow slaves for personal gain. If you are unlucky, you have someone like that in your friend group or in your workplace - saying this to one group and that to another, while making sure he/she is on very good terms with the boss.

[@WorldHistoryEncyclopedia]

That's all very true. Thanks for watching!

[@samuelhoffmann162]

Was it possible for a slave to be a guard to a house/villa? (Off topic but I had a past life regression, whether real or imagination, where I was paperboy a slave guarding a teenage woman’s house whose father was my owner).

[@WorldHistoryEncyclopedia]

Interesting... I believe it definitely could have been possible.

[@nancytestani1470]

Yep, part of the population. But slavery has been everywhere as an institution. I find it really isn’t talked about on here. Let’s get it out. Where were they? Where were they sold. How did they live? Were babies sold with mothers? What about children? How much did each cost? Who wanted them? Say it like it is, what it was like. Must have lucrative, because it went on for generations, all across every civilization.

[@charwest5892]

You dont say... this peculiar institution was the norm for centuries. History should pay thanks to the commonwealth and America for defeating it rather than singling them out as the progenitors.

[@WorldHistoryEncyclopedia]

It's a very complicated topic, but the Commonwealth and America definitely aren't completely innocent. Thanks for watching!

[@charwest5892]

@@WorldHistoryEncyclopedia absolutely, the inumerable perpetrators are equally evil in my mind save for the few of their countrymen that fought for the sake of empathy and justice for their fellow man.

[@athenahepler4030]

The United States and Brazil were rather late in abolishing slavery...and even then, slavery is still constitutional in the US in the form of punishment of convicts.... Or were you referring to something else? Can you clarify?

[@charwest5892]

@athenahepler4030 yes America sent a million men to their deaths in the name of ending it. And no private prisons aren't slavery. Are you equating slaves to criminals Athena?

[@scottdellrobinson]

You aren't serious? Are you?

[@WagesOfDestruction]

Large-scale slave rebellions have occurred throughout history, but they are rare and rarely successful. The Haitian Revolution (1791) is the only real success I know. Slave societies have mechanisms to prevent and suppress rebellions, such as surveillance, harsh punishments, and a robust military presence. So most were crushed almost immediately or after long, bitter wars, e.g. the Palmares. The slave owners kept the war going for nearly 100 years till they crushed it. To a slave-owner society, a rebellion of slaves is a threat to the existing order. It's also important to consider the economic realities people faced before the advent of modern welfare states. Many faced minimal options for survival, so the choice many faced was slavery or starvation. So you were a slave, and you ran away; hiding is hard, but also, where do you get money to eat? This was why people in desperate situations entered into slavery voluntarily as a means of survival.

[@danielcuevas5899]

As a Slav, I demand reparations from Italy!

[@nicolettejehee2746]

Slaves had 1 right, that was work

[@WorldHistoryEncyclopedia]

Sadly, that's true. Thanks for watching!

[@NiejakiDD]

1/5 were slaves in the Roman Empire? I thought a half. Or were it just in Rome? PS. Radical summer Kelly's hair uncut.🤔

[@WorldHistoryEncyclopedia]

Slaves were more common in Rome. Thanks for watching!