05-28-2003, 01:32 PM
Wendy, I wanted to say something on similar lines but you managed to put it in a nutshell!<br>
Of course brutality and cruelty existed and it's not possible to generalize as slavery in the Roman world covers such a broad spectrum of time and conditions (e.g the lot of an agricultural labourer was a world apart from the likes of a power wielding Narcissus.) But there is no doubt that viewed objectively in the context of time and place, many slaves led a tolerable existence with reasonable prospects of manumission, and the possibilities of attaining wealth and status.<br>
<br>
J. Carcopina's viewpoint is interesting (Daily life in ancient rome-society and social classes.)<br>
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Of course brutality and cruelty existed and it's not possible to generalize as slavery in the Roman world covers such a broad spectrum of time and conditions (e.g the lot of an agricultural labourer was a world apart from the likes of a power wielding Narcissus.) But there is no doubt that viewed objectively in the context of time and place, many slaves led a tolerable existence with reasonable prospects of manumission, and the possibilities of attaining wealth and status.<br>
<br>
J. Carcopina's viewpoint is interesting (Daily life in ancient rome-society and social classes.)<br>
<p></p><i></i>
