Letter XLVII
1. By what process could slaves become free citizens in ancient Rome?
Slavery in ancient Roman society was different than slavery in America. Although in both circumstances, the slaves were treated harshly, the difference was the fact that the roman slaves could be granted freedom, or manumission. Most slaves in Rome were let go by there owners outright, and were freed that way. Another way they were freed is that they were able to buy their freedom from their owner. That process might have taken a while, but once done, they were free. This was known as informal manumission. Formal manumission was being freed by a magistrate. (manumission )
The difference in informal and formal manumission is what happened after the slave was freed. The informally freed slave would have fewer rights, wasn't a citizen, and would have to give everything they owned back to their owner when they died. The formally freed slave was a citizen, but couldn't run for office. Also the formally freed slave's children would be considered full citizens and could run for office. (manumission
Sources
1. Manumission, Slaves and Freemen, www.pbs.org
You made very valid points. But oh hey, we used the same source. We're just on this Lijah, ON IT! Anyway. I thought it was interesting how they said they could buy themselves out of slavery. They're slaves, where are they getting income? Tisk tisk. Oh, society.
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