Slave Labour and Production

Abstract

Abstract This chapter examines the productive work that slaves performed in antiquity, and the lifestyles typically associated with different types of endeavour. Most slaves performed a variety of functions for their owners, from helping in the fields or the yard by day to keeping house, or bed, by night. Others were specialists in jobs like digging underground, or sailing in search of fish or markets, and had little or no contact with their masters on most days of their lives. Sophisticated systems were developed to motivate slaves to work hard under minimal supervision, creating an environment in which low-status workers made high-quality products, and through which strong partnerships could be formed despite the status distinction. Some roles offered slaves engaged in them opportunities to acquire wealth and freedom, whereas some were very dangerous or unpleasant. Slaves inevitably did the jobs that anyone who could refuse would not do.