CHAPTER 5: SLAVERY
2) Why do you think slavery was so much more prominent in Greco-Roman civilization than in India or
China?
In India and China, slavery was more common, and more of a "punishment" for doing something terrible, rather than in Roman times, it was more of a way of life. Obviously, no matter how you look at it slavery was a horrible livelihood, and no one should have to endure those type of circumstances. In China, slaves amounted to 1% of the population; in the grand scheme of things that was pretty miniscule. They were mostly convicted criminals, or children of peasants selling them. "Chinese slavery, however, was never very widespread and did not become a major source of labor for agriculture or manufacturing, (270)."
"In India, as well, people could fall into slavery as criminals, debtors, or prisoners of war and served their masters largely in domestic settings, but religious writings and secular law offered, at least in theory, some protection for slaves, (270)." It seemed as if in India, it was more of a way of life, and even though you were considered a slave, you were at least looked out for. There were also consequences for those who abused or raped their slaves.
Furthermore, slavery was so much more prominent in Greco-Roman civilization was due to their society being based on slavery. Slavery was about 1/3 of the Roman population. Owning a slave was very popular, and meant that you were held to a higher standard. It was known as a good thing to own a slave, and it was unfortunately, very common to have to female slaves for sexual purposes. Slavery was a defining element of society, and most of them were prisoners held captive from wars. Slave owners described their slaves as "lazy, barbarians, unreliable, and immoral, (272)."
In India and China, slavery was more common, and more of a "punishment" for doing something terrible, rather than in Roman times, it was more of a way of life. Obviously, no matter how you look at it slavery was a horrible livelihood, and no one should have to endure those type of circumstances. In China, slaves amounted to 1% of the population; in the grand scheme of things that was pretty miniscule. They were mostly convicted criminals, or children of peasants selling them. "Chinese slavery, however, was never very widespread and did not become a major source of labor for agriculture or manufacturing, (270)."
"In India, as well, people could fall into slavery as criminals, debtors, or prisoners of war and served their masters largely in domestic settings, but religious writings and secular law offered, at least in theory, some protection for slaves, (270)." It seemed as if in India, it was more of a way of life, and even though you were considered a slave, you were at least looked out for. There were also consequences for those who abused or raped their slaves.
Furthermore, slavery was so much more prominent in Greco-Roman civilization was due to their society being based on slavery. Slavery was about 1/3 of the Roman population. Owning a slave was very popular, and meant that you were held to a higher standard. It was known as a good thing to own a slave, and it was unfortunately, very common to have to female slaves for sexual purposes. Slavery was a defining element of society, and most of them were prisoners held captive from wars. Slave owners described their slaves as "lazy, barbarians, unreliable, and immoral, (272)."
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