Liberation with Strings Attached: The Complex Reality of Freed Slaves in Ancient Rome
While freedom was attainable for enslaved people in ancient Rome, it often came with significant strings attached. Upon gaining their freedom, formerly enslaved people were typically required to continue working for their former owners. Moreover, they were obligated to vote for they in elections, entrenching the power dynamics of the era.
Additionally, formerly enslaved people were often bound by legal obligations to former owners. Including providing free labor and bequeathing property upon their owner’s death. Failure to comply with these obligations could result in the revocation of their freedom. So, the granting of freedom offered a degree of autonomy. Moreover, it also imposed a complex web of obligations that underscored the enduring influence of slavery in ancient Roman society.
