kenneth w. harl, tulane university the new york times ... · lex sempronia (169 b.c.) freedmen...

CONQUERORS AND SLAVES: ROME AS A SLAVE SOCIETY

KENNETH W. HARL, TULANE UNIVERSITY THE NEW YORK TIMES: JOURNEYS, MAY 22-JUNE 5, 2017

SOURCES FOR ROMAN SLAVERY, 500 B.C.-200 A.D.

LITERARY SOURCES Manuals on Estates Management: M. Porcius Cato, “the Elder” (234-149 B.C.) De Re Agricultura Latin translation of a Greek manual written by Mago of Carthage 28 books, ca. 450-400 B.C. M. Terentius Varro (116-27 B.C.) Rerum Rusticarum libri III L. Junius Moderatus Columella (4-70 A.D.) Res Rusticae Pliny the Elder (= C. Plinius Secundus, 23-79 A.D.), Naturalis Historia Discussion of the latifundia, estates for commercial farming Other Writers Plutarch of Chaeronea (46-125 A.D.), Parallel Lives (biography) Strabo of Amasia (63 B.C.-24 A.D., geographer, especially slave market at Delos Livy (= T. Livius, 59 B.C.-17 A.D.), historian, Annales (242 books) Cornelius Tacitus (56-120 A.D.), historian, Annales and Historiae T. Maccius Plautus (2540184 B.C.), Comedies: Miles Gloriosus C. Petronius (27-66 A.D.), Satyricon book 16 Cena (dinner) of C. Pompeius Trimalchio Maecenatianus

SOURCES FOR ROMAN SLAVERY, 500 B.C.-200 A.D. LEGAL SOURCES

Twelve Tables, 451-449 B.C. Appius Claudius Pulcher and Decemviri Justinian (527-565) Tribonian, CORPUS IURIS CIVILIS (533-537) Digest (or Pandects), 533 A.D. Part 2 of Corpus Iuris Civilis (CIC) Theodosian Code (CTh ), 438 A.D. Law of Citations: Roman jurists Papinian = Aemilius Papinianus (142-212) Ulpian = C. Domitius Annius Ulpianus (170-223) Paulus = Julius Paulus Prudentissimus, Praetorian Prefect 222-225 A.D. Modestinus = Herennius Modestinus, ca. 250 A.D. Gaius, Institutes, ca. 130-180 A.D. Documentary Papyri, Roman Egypt: petitions, bills of sale and transfer, legal proceeding, based on Greco-Macedonian Law of Ptolemaic Egypt

SOURCES FOR ROMAN SLAVERY, 500 B.C.-200 A.D. LEGAL SOURCES

P. Duke 527

Cession of Three Minor Slaves Late first/early second century A.D. Three minor slaves are paid to creditor From Oxyrrhychus in lieu of credit on loan. Slaves originally purchased from a certain Ammonios, son of Hermaiskos Sale on file with notary of Oxyrrhynchus Provisions for three slaves to stay with debtor They are to be conveyed to creditor Once the reach maturity.

SOURCES FOR ROMAN SLAVERY, 500 B.C.-200 A.D. EPIGRAPHIC SOURCES (INSCRIPTIONS)

“Epigraphic Habit” CIL volume VI, city of Rome (Corpus Inscriptionum Latinorum) Funerary Inscriptions: Imperial Family Imperial Aristocracy (Senators & equestrians) Municipal elites (decurions) Roman soldiers (legionaries, auxiliaries) Freedmen and Freedwomen, especially seviri (officials of imperial cult) Latin: libertus, plural liberti; feminine liberta, plural libertae

SOURCES FOR ROMAN SLAVERY, 500 B.C.-200 A.D.

EPIGRAPHIC SOURCES (INSCRIPTIONS) Funerary Urn for ashes Tib. Claudius Chyrseros Imperial Freedman Wife Julia Theonois Daughter Claudia Dorcas DIS MANIS TI CLAVDI AVG L. CHRYSEROTIS ET IVLIAE THEO- NOES ET CLAVDIAE DORCADIS

ROMAN SLAVERY: EARLY REPUBLIC, 509-340 B.C.

Roman Legal Classifications: ordo, plural ordines PATRICIANS vs. PLEBIANS Right to hold office (imperium) and officiate over sacrifices (auspicium) Secessio = secession of plebians, Aventine Hill Struggle of the Orders, 494-287 B.C. Lex Licinia-Sextia, 367 B.C. pater familias = father of the household patria potestas = legal power of father over household mos maiorum = ancestral custom patronus, plural patroni cliens, plural clientes verna, plural vernae household slave (Italian origin) servus, plural servi slave (purchased or captive)

ROMAN SLAVERY: EARLY REPUBLIC, 509-340 B.C.

Twelve Tables (451-449 B.C.) Property Rights, Legal Testimony, Criminal Acts of Slaves DEBT SLAVERY = nexum = bond Mancipatio = “taking hold by hand” nexus = man in nexum, “debtor” obaeratus = creditor Indentured Servants, Colonial America and Caribbean, 1609-1685 Lex Poetilia Papiria, 326 B.C. Consuls Poetilius Libo Visolus & L. Papirius Cursor Nexus: C. Pubilius Obaeratus = L. Papirius DEBT SLAVERY, ATHENS Solon, archon 594 B.C.

ROMAN SLAVERY & CONQUEST OF ITALY, 340-264 B.C.

Conquest of Etruria Samnite Wars (343-290 B.C.) War against Pyrrhus (280-275 B.C.) Enslavement of defeated Livy, Annales, 297-293 B.C. Fasti Triumphales 61,260 captives enslaved (servi) 200,000 adult Roman males Latin colonies Land grants viritim

ROMAN SLAVERY & THE CONQUEST OF MEDITERRANEAN WORLD, 264-31 B.C.

WARS OF CONQUEST, 264-31 B.C. 264-201 B.C. Punic Wars: Conquest of Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica & Spain

Rome dominates Western Mediterranean 200-78 B.C. Conquests of Greek world, Spain, and North Africa

Rome dominates Mediterranean world 78-31 B.C. Conquests of Northwest Europe, Balkans & Near East

SELECT ENSLAVEMENTS 210 B.C. Agrigentum, Sicily 30,000 209 B.C. Taras (Tarentum), Italy 30,000 177-175 B.C. Sardinia 60,000 (25% of island’s population) 167 B,.C. Epirus (Northwest Greece) 150,000 145 B.C. Carthage 50,000 (adult males executed) 146 B.C. Corinth 50,000 (adult males executed) 53 B.C. Alesia, Gaul 53,000 Total Number of Slaves taken overseas, 200-30 B.C.: 2,000,000 Emigration from Italy to provinces: 400,000


CHANGING DEMOGRAPHY OF ROMAN ITALY* Free Slave Total

Roman Italy, 225 B.C. 4,500,000 500,000 5,000,000 Roman Italy, 30 B.C. 4,000,000 2,000,000 6,000,000 Slave population increased from 12.5% to 33.3% Emigration to overseas provinces: 400,000 25% to 30% of free population in 30 B.C. servile descent

GROWTH OF CITY OF ROME 200 B.C. 50,000 180 B.C. 180,000 123 B.C. 325,000 60 B.C. 600,000 1 A.D. 1,200,000 = 750,000 citizens (25% to 30% of servile origin)

300,000 slaves 150,000 foreigners (peregrini)

*P. A. Brunt, Italian Manpower (Oxford, 1972), pp. 121-130

ROMAN SLAVERY & THE PRINCIPATE, 27 B.C.-284 A.D.

DEMOGRAPHY OF ROMAN EMPIRE, 100 A.D. Free Slave Total

Roman Empire 54.000,000 (90%) 6,000,000 (10%) 60,000,000 OWNERSHIP OF SLAVES, 100 A.D. Imperial Family & Imperial Aristocracy (senators & equites) 3,000,000 (50%) Civic governments & temples 2,000,000 (33.3%) Roman Imperial Army 500,000 (8.3%) Private Ownership 500,000 (8.3%) *P. A. Brunt, Italian Manpower (Oxford, 1972), pp. 121-130

MANUMISSION AND LEGAL RIGHTS Libertus, plural liberti freedman Liberta, plural liberatae freedwomen C.  CLAUDIUS L (IERTUS) PALLAS LIBERTUS substitutes for FILIUS (son) PECULUM = savings of slave Types of Manumission: Before magistrate

By Will Informal

Lex Aelia Sentia (4 A.D.) Regulates manumission during master’s lifetime

Master msts be 20 years old; slave must be 30 years old Lex Fufia Caninia (2 B.C.) Regulates manumission by will

Limits manumission to two-thirds of slaves Lex Junia (17 B.C.) Informal or mistaken manumission accorded Junian

Latin status; citizenship available by marriage or descent

MANUMISSION AND LEGAL RIGHTS

Pileus = liberty cap Apulian Ware, ca. 325-300 B.C.

M. Junius Brutus Denarius, East, 44-42 B.C. Obv. Head of Brutus Rev. Ides of March, pileus & 2 daggers

MANUMISSION AND LEGAL RIGHTS Lex Sempronia (169 B.C.) Freedmen restricted to single urban tribe PALATINA in Tribal Assembly (35 tribes) Lex Julia de maritandis ordinibus (18 B.C.) Marriage prohibited between senatorials and freedmen or freedwomen Senatus Consultum (23 A.D.) Equestrians (equites) must be free on paternal side to third generation Freedmen restricted in military service Roman navy; rowers and marines Legionary service denied II Adutrix, 69 A.D. recruited from marines

ROMAN SLAVERY & THE ECONOMY

K. Hopkins, Conquerors and Slaves (Cambridge, 1982), p. 12

LABOR FORCE, 200-30 B.C. Roman Italy & Sicily 25% to 35% laborers = slaves SLAVES: Commercial Farming (viticulture & olive oil) Shepherds & Herders Craftsmen: Rome & Campania Public Slaves (sanitation, fire dept. baths & civic social amenities) Scribes (state) Servants of aristoractic houses physicians teachers & scholars FREEDMEN: Commerce & banking Contractors Urban economy

ROMAN SLAVES & AGRARIAN ECONOMY Latifundia = Estates engaged in commercial farming Pliny the Elder (= C. Plinius Secundus, 23-79 A.D.), Naturalis Historia M. Porcius Cato, “the Elder” (234-149 B.C.) De Re Agricultura M. Terentius Varro (116-27 B.C.) Rerum Rusticarum libri III L. Junius Moderatus Columella (4-70 A.D.) Res Rusticae

Slaves at work, Thugga (Dougga, Tunisia), floor mosaic, ca. 150 A.D.


K. Hopkins, Conquerors and Slaves (Cambridge, 1982), p. 12

LABOR FORCE, 200-30 B.C. Roman Italy & Sicily 25% to 35% laborers = slaves SLAVES: Commercial Farming (viticulture & olive oil) Shepherds & Herders Craftsmen: Rome & Campania Public Slaves (sanitation, fire dept. baths & civic social amenities) Scribes (state) Servants of aristoractic houses physicians teachers & scholars FREEDMEN: Commerce & banking Contractors Urban economy


Charlton Heston, “Ben Hur” 1953)(

OCCUPATIONS DENIED: Military Service (army & navy); public building trade

FREEDMEN, SLAVES & ROMAN COMMERCE

Equites, equestrians “Gentlemen outside the Senate” lex Roscia (129 B.C.) Banking, commerce, contracts, law

Societas Partnership

Freedmen & slaves = agents of equestrian Erythraen Sea (Red-Sea-Indian Ocean) International Commerce Periplus, ca. 50 A.D. Freedmen of Annius Plocamus, ca. 50 A.D. Mission to Taprobane (Sri Lanka) Gaius Pompeius Trimalchio Maecenatianus C. Petronius (27-66 A.D.), Satyricon Trade to India

FREEDMEN, SLAVES & ROMAN COMMERCE

Trade to India, Erthryaean Sea, ca. 25 B.C.-200 A.D.

ROMAN SLAVERY: BANKERS & FINANCIERS

Bronze bust of Jucundus Pompeii (cast, Pushkin Museum

WAX TABLETS FROM POMPEII L. CAECILIUS JUCUNDUS (20-62 A.D.), POMPEII Son of freedman Felix Argentarius (banker) & Auctioneer Pompeii and Nuceria 153 wax tablets (letters & contracts) Earthquake of Pompeii, Feb 5, 62 A.D.

FREEDMEN, SLAVES & FAMILIA CAESARIS

Augustus (27 B.C.-14 A.D.) Claudius (41-54) Trajan (98-117) Hadrian (117-138) Freedmen ministers of Claudius concilium principis = council of emperor Tib. Julius NARCISSUS (executed 55 A.D.), ab epistulis (correspondence) C. Julius POLYBIUS a studiis (archives) M. Antonius PALLAS (died 62 A.D.), a rationalibus (finances) Estate of 40,000,000 denarii = $15 billion Elevated to equestrian order; voted praetorian senatorial rank Brother M. Antonius Felix, procurator (equestrian governor) of Judaeam 52-58 A.D.

SLAVES: SOCIAL HIERARCHY & RIGHTS Legal Condition Connubium not recognized for slaves

No legal persona; no contract possible No testimony in court Subject to torture in criminal and reason cases Children of slave woman by free man servile status Arbitrary power of master: P. Vedius Pollio

Social Custom Slave Family permitted in great households

Manumission of male between 30 & 35 years old Purchase of family from master Peculum, personal savings of slave Children born after manumission free (liber) Inheritance as freedman from master possible

Mos maiorum Custom regulating familia (household) STOICISM Philosophical arguments on soul/logos Domitian (81-96) Prohibition of arbitrary mutilation of slaves by master Hadrian (117-138) Prohibition on arbitrary assignment to arena Antoninus Pius (161-180) Regulates capital punishment of slaves Septimius Severus (193-211) Prohibition of prostituting slaves by master

SLAVES: SOCIAL HIERARCHY & RIGHTS

SLAVES: PREJUDICES AND SOCIAL ROLES

T. Maccius Plautus (254-184 B.C.) Terence = P. Terentius Afer (195-159 B.C.) C. Petronius (27-66 A.D.), Satyricon Gaius Pompeius Trimalchio Maecenatianus CONTRAST Find images of U.S. stereotyping of African slaves Aristophanes, slaves usually from Anatolia and dull witted, babbling barbarian tongue, especially Phrygians.

PERCEPTIONS OF SLAVES IN ROMAN COMEDIES T. Maccius Plautus (254-184 B.C.). Comedies Terence = P. Terentius Afer (195-159 B.C.). Comedies Saturnalia (December 17-23) “Golden Age of Saturn” Role Reversal Plautus, Miles Gloriosus (Swaggring Soldier), set in Ephesus Pyrgopolynices: boastful Greek mercenary soldier Artorogus his hanger on Philocomasium (concubine, kidnapped from Epidaurus) Palaestrio, clever slave of Pyrgopolynices Sceledrus: loyal, slow witted slave Periplectomenus (neighbor) Pleusicles (beloved of Philocomasium) Acroteleutim & Milphidippa (courtesan & servant)

SLAVES IN COMEDIES OF PLAUTUS: THE LEGACY

“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” (1962; 1966) Zero Mostel = Pseudolus; Phil Silvers = M. Lycus; Jack Gilford =

Hysterium; Michael Hordern = Senex

CENA OF FREEDMANC. POMPEIUS TRIMALCHIO Gaius Petronius 927-66), Arbiter elegentiae Satyricon (Parody of Court of Nero), ca. 60-62 A.D.

Cena from Federico Fellini, “Satyricon” (1969) Mario Romagnoli as C. Pompeius Trimalchio

SLAVES: OTHER PREJUDICES & STEREOTYPES

Ante-Bellum South, 1820-1860

Athens, Red Figure Ware Slave boy at symposium Aristophanes (446-386 B.C.) Comedies Dull-witted slaves, Asia Minor

GLADIATORIAL COMBATS: EPITOME OF SLAVE SOCIETY

Etruscan funerary rites; Caere, 535 B.C., sacrifice of Greek prisoners gladiator < gladius (sword) munera = obligation to provide civic services 264 B.C. 6 pairs of gladiators D. Junius Brutus Pera (cos 266 B.C.)

Funerary games to father Forum Boviarium

216 B.C. 22 pairs of gladiators M. Aemilius Lepidus (cos. 232 B.C.)

Funerary games to father Forum Romanum, 3 days

183 B.C. 120 pairs of gladiators P. Licinius Crasssus

Funerary games for father 65 B.C. 320 pairs of gladiators C. Julius Caesar

Funerary games for father


52 A.D. Naval Battle of Salamis Emperor Claudius Fucine Lake, 19,000 men Dedication of Canal & Aqueduct

80 A.D 3,000 gladiators Emperor Titus

Naval battle in Colosseum Dedication of Colosseum, 100 days 6,000 to 9,000 animal combats

108 A.D. 10,000 pairs of gladiators Emperor Trajan

11,000 animal combats Celebration of Dacian Wars 123 days

REGULATION OF GLADIATORIAL MUNERA

Level 1 7,500 denarii $100,000 Level 2 7,500-15,000 denarii $200,000 Level 3 15,000-25,000 denarii $375,000 Level 4 25,000-37,500 denarii $562,500 Level 5 37,000-50,000 denarii $750,000


Amphitheater, Pompeii. ca. 80-70 B.C. 445 x 340 feet Capacity 20,000

ROMAN ARCHITECTURE

Flavian Amphitheater (Colosseum), Rome, 80 A.D.; 615 x 640 feet; Capacity 50,000


Gladiators, villa Dar Buc Ammera, triclinium, Leptics Magna, Africa, ca. 150 A.D.


Russell Crowe, as Maximus Decimus Meridus, “Gladiator” (2000)

FIRST SERVILE WAR (135-132 B.C.)

FIRST SERVILE WAR (135-132 B.C.)

Eunus, slave from Apamea, Syria, proclaimed King Seleucus Prophet of goddess Atargatis (Dea Syriae) Cleon, Cilician slave 70,000 slave rebels 135 B.C. Outbreak of Revolt under Eunus & Cleon in SE Sicily

Slaves capture ENNA; Eunus declared King Seleucus Slaves defeat L. Cornelius Lentulus, praetor Slaves defeat L. Plautius Hypsaeus, propraetor

134 B.C. Consul C. Fulvius Flaccus wages inconclusive campaign 133 B.C. Praetors M. Perperna & T. Manlius pacify SE Sicily

Consul L. Calpurnius Piso besieges Eunus in Enna M. Perperna celebrates ovatio at Rome

132 B.C. Consul L. Rupilius captures Enna and Eunus

lex Rupilia: Reorganization of Sicily

SECOND SERVILE WAR (104-100 B.C.) Salvius, flute player proclaimed KingTyphron, and Athenaion Slave army of 20,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry 104 B.C. Praetor P. Licinius Nerva investigates cases of illegal enslavement

Salvius & Athenaion raise slave revolt Praetor L. Licinius Lucullus suppresses slave revolt at CAPUA 103 B.C. Propraetor L. Licinius Lucullus wages campaign in Sicily 102 B.C. Death of Salvius (Typhron); Athenaion succeeds to command

Man. Aquillius, 65 B.C. Denarius OBV. Head of Mars REV. Mn. Aquillius (cos 101 B.C.), raising Sicilia

THIRD SERVILE WAR (73-71B.C.) SPARTACUS, Thracian; CRIXUS & OENOMAUS, Gauls Gladiatorial School of Cn. Cornelius Lentulus Batianus, CAPUA Slave army at 70,000, perhaps 120,000 slaves with non-combattants South Central Italy (Apulia, Bruttium, and Lucania) & Campania Confiscations of the Second Punic War (218-201 B.C.) ager publicus distributed land under lex Sempronia 133-129 & 123-119 B.C.

THE THIRD SERVILE WAR (73-71 B.C.)

THIRD SERVILE WAR (73-71B.C.)

FIRST YEAR, 73 B.C. 70 gladiators under Spartacus break out of gladiatorial school at Capua Gladiators retire to Mt. Vesuvius Spartacus surprises camp of C. Claudius Glaber & 3,000 men Spartacus defeats two detachments of praetor P. Varinius at Nola & Nuceria Spartacus rallies 70,000 slaves to camp on Mount Vesuvius 72


SECOND YEAR 72 B.C. Spartacus advances north to Cisalpine Gaul to leave Italy Spartacus defeats Consul Cn. Cornelius Lentulus Clodianus Consul L. Gellius Publicola defeats 20,000 slaves under Crixus Spartacus defeats Lentlus & Gellius Spartacus retires south to Thurii Spartacus contacts Cilician Pirates

M. Licinius Crassus appointed sole commander with propraetorian imperium


THIRD YEAR, 71 B.C. Spartacus advances north M. Licinius Crassus counters Spartacus retires into Bruttium Senate recalls Pompey from Spain & M. Terentius Varro Lucullus from Macedonia Crassus builds fortifications across Bruttium to trap Spartacus Spartacus crosses Crassus’ line of fortifications in Bruttium Spartacus marches north


THIRD YEAR, 71 B.C. Crassus defeats slaves in Bruttium Spartacus is killed in battle 6,000 slave captives crucified Pompey destroys 6,000 slaves retreating on Appian Way Pompey claims credit for ending war Crassus & Pompey advance on Rome Crassus and Pompey elected consuls

THIRD SERVILE WAR (73-71 B.C.)

Death of Spartacus; John Ridpath, History of the World (1894)

THIRD SERVILE WAR (73-71 B.C.)

“Spartacus” (1960), Kirk Douglas & Tony Curtis

kenneth w. harl, tulane university the new york times ... · lex sempronia (169 b.c.) freedmen...

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