Slaves and Slavery in Ancient Rome: Contrary to popular perception, some slaves in Ancient Rome were fortunate enough to be considered valued members of the family that owned them. Slaves that had a useful or productive skill were highly valued and would be well looked after. A Roman citizen might spent a lot of money on a slave who was an excellent cook, and this slave would be well cared for, fed well, and kept comfortable. This enabled the slave to do his/her job better. Some acted as bookeepers or tutors for children of wealthy families. However, even valued and gifted slaves who were treated as part of the family in many ways were still slaves and did not have the same rights and access to the law as a Roman citizen. Many slaves would not have been so fortunate. Legally, slaves had no rights in Ancient Rome. Roman Slaves were not citizens - they were the property of their masters. Children born to Roman slaves also became slaves belonging to the same master. A slave could become free if they bought their own freedom or if they were released by their master. Roman Slaves were often the people that the Romans had captured in battle. They were returned to Rome as the spoils of war. Some Roman slaves had very dangerous or back-breaking work, and often were treated very badly. Many slaves fought in the arena as Gladiators; the most famous of these is a gladiator named Spartacus, who rebelled in 73 BCE. Spartacus, and more than 700 followers, fought the Roman legions in several battles - and won - before finally being captured by the armies of Marcus Licinius Crassus. References * Appian. Civil Wars. Translated by J. Carter. (Harmondsworth: Penguin Books, 1996) * Florus. Epitome of Roman History. (London: W. Heinemann, 1947) * Plutarch. Fall of the Roman Republic. Translated by R. Warner. (London: Penguin Books, 1972). * Sallust. Conspiracy of Catiline and the War of Jugurtha. (London: Constable, 1924)