The Development of The Development of Greek SlaveryGreek Slavery

1.1. TerminologyTerminology2.2. Slavery in the Mycenaean and Homeric Slavery in the Mycenaean and Homeric

WorldWorld3.3. The development of Greek Chattel SlaveryThe development of Greek Chattel Slavery

Terminology Terminology

Some local termsSome local termsLaconia (Sparta) Helots;Laconia (Sparta) Helots;Thessaly: Penestes Thessaly: Penestes Otherwise terminology complex, Otherwise terminology complex,

ambiguous ambiguous

Generic termsGeneric terms

andrapadon andrapadon – a being with human feet– a being with human feet (compare – (compare – tetrapadontetrapadon- a being with 4 - a being with 4

feet)feet) In military context = booty in power of In military context = booty in power of

victor (note the dehumanizing aspect)victor (note the dehumanizing aspect) Classical period, Classical period, doulos, douledoulos, doule common – common –

in opposition to full man, i.e. citizen in opposition to full man, i.e. citizen ((politespolites) and free man () and free man (elutheroselutheros) )

Plato: use of term Plato: use of term douleiadouleia =slavery, =slavery, submission to authority, psychological submission to authority, psychological servitudeservitude

more terms – in relation to more terms – in relation to slave’s activityslave’s activity

Most frequent terms: Most frequent terms: oiketesoiketes ( (oikiatasoikiatas or or oikeusoikeus ) slave in ) slave in relation to household and family unit (relation to household and family unit (oikos oikos = household) = household)

In early Greek literature indicates any servant In early Greek literature indicates any servant therapon, therapainatherapon, therapaina = servant = servant akoulothosakoulothos = follower = follower hyperetes hyperetes = aide = aide paispais = child (boy) = child (boy) anthropos anthropos = man = man gynegyne = woman (derogatory in plural) = woman (derogatory in plural) 44thth century – all terms used as synonyms century – all terms used as synonyms soma soma = body (human body) = body (human body) in legal context more specific terms used: in legal context more specific terms used: andrapadon andrapadon

doulosdoulos, , soma doulikon soma doulikon

Reasons for ambiguous Reasons for ambiguous terminology?terminology?

terms borrowed from traditional terms borrowed from traditional system of dependency: household, system of dependency: household, family, clientship, etc.,family, clientship, etc.,

used on several levels, often used on several levels, often emphasizing aspect of slave’s emphasizing aspect of slave’s activity activity

Bronze Age SocietiesBronze Age Societiesearliest evidence from the Greek earliest evidence from the Greek

WorldWorld MinoansMinoans

C. 2500 – 1400 B.C.C. 2500 – 1400 B.C. Main Palace at Main Palace at

Knossos on CreteKnossos on Crete Phase 1 – Linear A Phase 1 – Linear A

script not script not deciphereddeciphered

22ndnd phase under phase under Mycenaean control Mycenaean control from c. 1700 B.C.from c. 1700 B.C.

Linear BLinear B

MycenaeansMycenaeans C. 2500 – 1100C. 2500 – 1100 peak ca. 1600 B.C.peak ca. 1600 B.C. Palaces at Palaces at

Mycenae, Tiryns, Mycenae, Tiryns, Pilos, Thebes; Pilos, Thebes;

Linear B Tablets, Linear B Tablets, deciphered deciphered

Mycenaean Palace societyMycenaean Palace society

Centralized Administration Centralized Administration Social Hierarchy: King, aristocrats, Social Hierarchy: King, aristocrats,

warriors, priests, administrators – warriors, priests, administrators – ordinary people (doing the work); slavesordinary people (doing the work); slaves

Redistributive economy (Palace Redistributive economy (Palace collected, processed, redistributed)collected, processed, redistributed)

Needed complex record keeping, hence Needed complex record keeping, hence linear B, script for records/accounting linear B, script for records/accounting

Model of palace at Knossos Model of palace at Knossos (Crete)(Crete)

Pylos – Megaron Pylos – Megaron

Lion GateLion Gate

Geometric Warrior VaseGeometric Warrior Vase

Mycenaean SlaveryMycenaean Slavery

Owners both private and community Owners both private and community (public slaves), deities (sacred temple (public slaves), deities (sacred temple slaves)slaves)

Sources of slaves: captives of war, Sources of slaves: captives of war, piracy; breeding,piracy; breeding,

Identified by names of foreign places: Identified by names of foreign places: Miletus, Halicarnassus, Chios, etc.Miletus, Halicarnassus, Chios, etc.

Similar to later Athenian chattels -but Similar to later Athenian chattels -but smaller in numbers smaller in numbers

Mycenaean slavesMycenaean slaves Relationships between slaves and non-slaves: Relationships between slaves and non-slaves: Pylos tablets: 6 female slaves are daughters of a slave Pylos tablets: 6 female slaves are daughters of a slave

father and a mother possibly from Cythaera father and a mother possibly from Cythaera 4 are offsprings of a slave mother and a blacksmith father 4 are offsprings of a slave mother and a blacksmith father Slave status seems to come from parent’s status; slave Slave status seems to come from parent’s status; slave

parent is mentioned first, regardless of status of other parent is mentioned first, regardless of status of other parent parent

Mixed unions? Mixed unions? Classical Athens: slave status determined by status of Classical Athens: slave status determined by status of

mother; unions between male slaves and free women were mother; unions between male slaves and free women were illegal.illegal.

Mycenaean Slavery and the Mycenaean Slavery and the notion of libertynotion of liberty

Land allotments were made to slaves (mostly sacred Land allotments were made to slaves (mostly sacred slaves) appears to have been privileged group; fewer slaves) appears to have been privileged group; fewer land allotments to free men; land allotments to free men;

Small rations of food to lowest slavesSmall rations of food to lowest slaves Hierarchy among slaves based on relationship to Hierarchy among slaves based on relationship to

palace.palace. Mycenaean slavery not polar opposite to freedom; Mycenaean slavery not polar opposite to freedom;

notion of distinction seems to have been undeveloped notion of distinction seems to have been undeveloped Greek term Greek term eleutheroseleutheros (free) applied to exemptions (free) applied to exemptions

from quotas to be handed over to palace, from quotas to be handed over to palace, not not to free to free peoplepeople

Liberty and status defined in relation of individuals to Liberty and status defined in relation of individuals to palacepalace

The poor free may have been more dependent on the The poor free may have been more dependent on the palace than privileged slavespalace than privileged slaves

society similar to despotic societies of the Eastern society similar to despotic societies of the Eastern Mediterranean at that time.Mediterranean at that time.

Slavery in Homeric SocietySlavery in Homeric Society

‘‘Homeric’ - term applied to society Homeric’ - term applied to society described in Homer’s epics.described in Homer’s epics.

Presents memory of Bronze Age, but Presents memory of Bronze Age, but describes in part the Dark Ages and mostly describes in part the Dark Ages and mostly Homer’s own world 9Homer’s own world 9thth – 8 – 8thth century BCE century BCE

Political organization: small kingdoms, Political organization: small kingdoms, small-scale king (aristocrat - best among small-scale king (aristocrat - best among equals, wealthy landowner), i.e. Odysseus equals, wealthy landowner), i.e. Odysseus on Ithaka; a much poorer world than on Ithaka; a much poorer world than earlier Bronze Age Societies of earlier Bronze Age Societies of Mycenaeans and MinoansMycenaeans and Minoans

Homeric slaveryHomeric slavery

important institutionimportant institution Acquisition: war, piracy, gifts, trade, Acquisition: war, piracy, gifts, trade,

exchangeexchange Important role in aristocratic value system: Important role in aristocratic value system:

as prices – very important in Homeric as prices – very important in Homeric heroic culture – value of a slave reflects heroic culture – value of a slave reflects degree of honour of hero.degree of honour of hero.

Iliad is about the ‘anger of Achilles’, Iliad is about the ‘anger of Achilles’, dishonoured by Agamemnon taking his dishonoured by Agamemnon taking his price, the captive Briseius, away from him.price, the captive Briseius, away from him.

Agamemon’s promise to Agamemon’s promise to TeucerTeucer

Agamemnon: “..If ever Zeus who holds Agamemnon: “..If ever Zeus who holds the aegis and Athene grant me to sack the aegis and Athene grant me to sack outright the strong-founded cital of outright the strong-founded cital of Ilion, first after myself I will put into Ilion, first after myself I will put into your hands some great gift of honour: your hands some great gift of honour: a tripod, or two horses and the chariot a tripod, or two horses and the chariot with them, or else a woman, who will with them, or else a woman, who will go up into the same bed with you.” go up into the same bed with you.” (Homer, Iliad 8.290-291)(Homer, Iliad 8.290-291)

Slaves in Homer’s IliadSlaves in Homer’s Iliad

Male defeated captives immediately massacredMale defeated captives immediately massacred Children and Women often sold or ransomedChildren and Women often sold or ransomed Some captives sacrificed (“dozen brave men, Some captives sacrificed (“dozen brave men,

the sons of noble Trojans” Iliad 23.175) the sons of noble Trojans” Iliad 23.175) massacred by Achilles over funeral pyre of massacred by Achilles over funeral pyre of Patrokles.Patrokles.

Women often kept by their captors, some Women often kept by their captors, some ransomed, some used as giftsransomed, some used as gifts

Only female slaves in Achaean camp outside Only female slaves in Achaean camp outside Troy – took care of heroes; Troy – took care of heroes;

The fate of female captivesThe fate of female captives

Hektor (a Trojan hero) wonders about Hektor (a Trojan hero) wonders about the fate of his wife Andromache: the fate of his wife Andromache:

“ “ dragged off in tears by some Achaean dragged off in tears by some Achaean man-at-arms to slavery. I see you there man-at-arms to slavery. I see you there in Argos, toiling for another at the loom in Argos, toiling for another at the loom or carrying water from an alien well, a or carrying water from an alien well, a helpless drudge with no will of your helpless drudge with no will of your own” (VI. 454)own” (VI. 454)

Slaves in Homer’s, Odyssey Slaves in Homer’s, Odyssey

..Laertes (Odysseus’ father), ..would look ..Laertes (Odysseus’ father), ..would look after his farm and with the slaves in his after his farm and with the slaves in his household would eat and drink, .” ( XI, 140-household would eat and drink, .” ( XI, 140-141)141)

.” Your father (Laertes) remains on the .” Your father (Laertes) remains on the estate where he is, and does not go to the estate where he is, and does not go to the city. There is no bed there nor is there bed city. There is no bed there nor is there bed clothing nor blankets nor shining coverlets, clothing nor blankets nor shining coverlets, but in the winter time he sleeps in the but in the winter time he sleeps in the house, where the slaves do, in the dirt next house, where the slaves do, in the dirt next to the fire.” XI, 185)to the fire.” XI, 185)

Odysseus and his swineherdOdysseus and his swineherd

“ “ But now in the shelter Odysseus But now in the shelter Odysseus and the noble swineherd (a slave) and the noble swineherd (a slave) were eating their evening meal..” were eating their evening meal..” (XVI. 301)(XVI. 301)

Becoming a slaveBecoming a slave ““For Zeus of the wide brows takes away one For Zeus of the wide brows takes away one

half of the virtue from a man, once the day half of the virtue from a man, once the day of slavery closes upon him.” (Odyssey XVII. of slavery closes upon him.” (Odyssey XVII. 323)323)

““I claim that I come from Sidon (Phoenicia), I claim that I come from Sidon (Phoenicia), rich in bronze; I am the daughter of Arybas, rich in bronze; I am the daughter of Arybas, who has rivers of wealth, but men from who has rivers of wealth, but men from Taphos, pirates, caught me and carried me Taphos, pirates, caught me and carried me away as I cam back home from the fields, away as I cam back home from the fields, and carried me to this place and sold me and carried me to this place and sold me here in this man’s house, being paid a fair here in this man’s house, being paid a fair price for me.” (Homer, Odyssey 15. 425-427)price for me.” (Homer, Odyssey 15. 425-427)

Odyssey – what slaves didOdyssey – what slaves did

Slaves are everywhereSlaves are everywhere In household: female slaves care for In household: female slaves care for

guests, bathe them, rub them with oil, guests, bathe them, rub them with oil, clothe them, prepare for banquet, prepare clothe them, prepare for banquet, prepare beds, make up the fire, light and carry beds, make up the fire, light and carry torches, serve food and drink, afterwards torches, serve food and drink, afterwards clean. Rest of time spin wool, make clean. Rest of time spin wool, make beautiful objects under supervision of beautiful objects under supervision of mistress of mistress of oikosoikos..

The lowest of slaves – toiled in the mills – The lowest of slaves – toiled in the mills – grinding barley and wheatgrinding barley and wheat

Outside the houseOutside the house

Slaves in fields, mostly menSlaves in fields, mostly menOn Odysseus’ estate 30 men On Odysseus’ estate 30 men

guarded the herds –both slaves and guarded the herds –both slaves and free, placed under 3 more slaves, the free, placed under 3 more slaves, the master swineherd Eumaeus who had master swineherd Eumaeus who had 4 under-slaves.4 under-slaves.

Acquisition and Worth of a slave Acquisition and Worth of a slave in Homerin Homer

Acquisition of slaves – often by plundering Acquisition of slaves – often by plundering expeditions in neighboring regions, piracy, expeditions in neighboring regions, piracy, trade (bronze-age practice)trade (bronze-age practice)

Some prices: nurse Eurycleia as girl was Some prices: nurse Eurycleia as girl was worth 20 oxen; worth 20 oxen;

Priam’s (Trojan king) son Lycaon – sold by Priam’s (Trojan king) son Lycaon – sold by Achilles for 100 oxen – then ransomed for Achilles for 100 oxen – then ransomed for 300 oxen; 300 oxen;

The woman “skilled in fine crafts’ was The woman “skilled in fine crafts’ was offered as prize in games, worth 4 oxen offered as prize in games, worth 4 oxen

Nature of slavery in Homeric Nature of slavery in Homeric SocietySociety

Slave bound to master within household Slave bound to master within household ((oikosoikos) seems to have been a strong sense ) seems to have been a strong sense of solidarity within of solidarity within oikosoikos

Slave shared in family’s good and bad Slave shared in family’s good and bad fortune; fortune;

Family and slaves often worked side by sideFamily and slaves often worked side by side Term Term dmos dmos (term for slave) –not derogatory;(term for slave) –not derogatory; As members of As members of oikosoikos participated in participated in

aristocratic network aristocratic network Status of slave among peers dependent on Status of slave among peers dependent on

status of ownerstatus of owner

Homeric Society: The Homeric Society: The ThetesThetes

The landless, lowest of free population, The landless, lowest of free population, worked for wagesworked for wages

Not members of aristocratic Not members of aristocratic oikos oikos Entered into contracts of obligations with Entered into contracts of obligations with

aristocratsaristocrats Telemachus (Odysseus’ son talks about Telemachus (Odysseus’ son talks about

them as if they belonged to him like slaves them as if they belonged to him like slaves – not much distinction between slave – not much distinction between slave servants and free servants working for servants and free servants working for wages wages

Social hierarchy: Aristocracy on one side - Social hierarchy: Aristocracy on one side - mass of free people existed to serve them.mass of free people existed to serve them.

Archaic PeriodArchaic Periodc. 750 – 500 BCEc. 750 – 500 BCE

and the development of Chattel Slaveryand the development of Chattel Slavery Significant social and political developments: increase Significant social and political developments: increase

in political participation of citizens in Greek cities in political participation of citizens in Greek cities ((demosdemos) , development of ) , development of polis (polis (city statecity state))

Spread of concept of political liberty. Spread of concept of political liberty. Consequences:Consequences: 1) decreased exploitation among 1) decreased exploitation among

civic community, increase in land-owning class with civic community, increase in land-owning class with its demands – (reduced workforce to be exploited)its demands – (reduced workforce to be exploited)

2) Accompanied by increase in chattel slavery – 2) Accompanied by increase in chattel slavery – recourse to foreign labour force (slaves) - recourse to foreign labour force (slaves) -

Status of slaves reduced to polar opposite of libertyStatus of slaves reduced to polar opposite of liberty Thus, awareness of civic freedom led to clear Thus, awareness of civic freedom led to clear

definition between free and slavesdefinition between free and slaves

Spartan Slavery Spartan Slavery Helots Helots Original native population of Laconia Original native population of Laconia

conquered and subjected by Spartans conquered and subjected by Spartans Owned by the state, could not be bought Owned by the state, could not be bought

and sold - not chatteland sold - not chattel Each Spartan family had helot family living Each Spartan family had helot family living

on the land and work the land for themon the land and work the land for them Allowed Spartans to focus entirely on Allowed Spartans to focus entirely on

military training; relieved them completely military training; relieved them completely of need to work; of need to work;

Necessary too, since helot population by far Necessary too, since helot population by far outnumbered Spartansoutnumbered Spartans

Week 2Week 2

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slavery as model for Roman chattel slavery as model for Roman chattel slaveryslavery

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