Slavery in the Ancient World

There was a unified pervasive acceptance of slavery existed throughout classical Rome, Greece, and India, however differences existed: ethical limitations on owners’ powers, including manumission varied from culture to culture.

The hierarchal thinking was pervasive in Rome, Greece, and India, generating a general acceptance of the existence of slavery. Plato’s firm statements (Doc 1) declare that it is wrong for Greek states should enslave their fellow Greek citizens. He declares that the Greek people must band up together in unison to fight off the foreign states and enslaving each other is wrong. In his arguments, none argue against the actual existence of slavery. Plato treats it common for enemies to enslave each other in war and conquest. Then Aristotle’s statements seal the deal (Doc 2) when he explains that it is the nature of some men to be born as slaves. Aristotle treats slavery almost like a natural process that some people are destined to become. He goes on to describe a slave to be recognized as a thing and not a person. He considers it a necessity that rulers exist along with those who are ruled by them. Classical Greece widely accepted slavery as a normal social system without any questions about it.

Classical Greece, Rome, and India, the idea of the owners’ complete dominance over all aspects of the slaves was similar. The slaves were basically considered as property that was left to the discretion of their owners. There existed slight differences amidst the common acceptance and treatment of slavery. One was reflected upon when the Roman society decided to allow manumission of slaves depending on the owners’ choices. (Doc 4) Such “freed” slaves would even have the options of becoming Roman or Latin. This is unique to the Romans for neither do the Greeks nor Indians practice this act. Then, the Laws Of Manu of India show that slaves are protected somewhat from physical harm with limitations of beating to the back area and never on a noble part....