#slaves;

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Slaves: Punishment and Gladiators

Life for Roman slaves during the Republic was harsh, but their living conditions became better during the Imperial time. It was quite ironic how the slaves were seen as luxuries but never got any themselves. By definition slavery was brutal, violent and dehumanising, where slaves were seen at the same level as animals (Bradley, K. 2011). 

These slaves were often beaten for disobedience or if something was done, properly or quick or well enough. Not much could be done since the master had absolute power, so physical punishment and sexual abuse were common (Bradley, K. 2011 & William, C. M., 1996). Some slaves were treated well, but no mercy or break of any kind was given to any man who was ill, injured, or aged, but they were still forced to persevere in their labour, until in the midst of their tortures they died (William, C. M., 1996).

In the 1960 film, Spartacus, in a conversation between himself and Tigranes Levantus, Spartacus said 

“All men lose when they die and all men die. But a slave and a free man lose different things. When a free man dies, he loses the pleasure of life. A slave loses his pain. Death is the only freedom a slave knows. That's why he's not afraid of it. That's why we'll win.” (Spartacus, 1960). 

Slaves looked forward to death, and like the Spartacus quote states; it was their escape from pain. They were subjected to beatings at Augustus’ (Rome’s first emperor) command, or set free (Woolf, G. 2012). Both options just as opposite as to the other. These slaves could be brutally beaten or even crucified if a magistrate allowed it (Conroy, J. el.al, 1994). 

There were many revolts in Republic Rome, explicitly in 196BC, 185BC-184BC and 135BC (Yavetz, Z., 1988).Over time, the living conditions of these slaves became more bearable, and the introduction of the Gladiatorial games aided in keeping not only the people of Rome in place, but the slaves as well. Although the treatment of these captured people was still really bad; it led to rebellion and several Slave Wars, the most famous being the revolt led by the gladiator slave, Spartacus (Alchin, L., 2015).

Marcus Licinius Crassus: Did you truly believe 500 years of Rome could so easily be delivered to the clutches of a mob? Already the bodies of 6000 crucified slaves line along the Appian Way. (Spartacus, 1960).

In 73-71 BC the gladiator Spartacus eminently led a revolution of thousands of slaves in central Italy, formed an army that defeated numerous Roman legions, and at one point threatened Rome itself (Bradley, K. 2011).

Although they were successful, Spartacus and his army did not succeed. The penalty of this: 6000 of Spartacus’ supporters being crucified along the main road leading to Rome. Their bodies were left as a reminder to slaves not to oppose their owners (Conroy, J. el.al, 1994).