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Roman Slaves

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Rowan
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Roman Slaves

Post by Rowan » Tue November 4th, 2014, 3:32 pm

I'm sorry. I meant to come here and privately message one of our authorities on Rome, but I cannot recall his username at the moment. :o :o :o :o :o

So I will ask here: is it plausible for a Roman slave to gain his freedom and then turn around and make millions, allowing him to "lord" over his former master (and anyone else who gets in his way)? I understand that they could become Roman citizens so I guess it's possible, but I'd like to hear it from someone who knows more than me.

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lauragill
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Post by lauragill » Tue November 4th, 2014, 4:58 pm

[quote=""Rowan""]I'm sorry. I meant to come here and privately message one of our authorities on Rome, but I cannot recall his username at the moment. :o :o :o :o :o

So I will ask here: is it plausible for a Roman slave to gain his freedom and then turn around and make millions, allowing him to "lord" over his former master (and anyone else who gets in his way)? I understand that they could become Roman citizens so I guess it's possible, but I'd like to hear it from someone who knows more than me.[/quote]

Yes, a freedman could turn around and make a fortune, but he will always remain a client of his former master. Whether he remains socially inferior depends on whether his master belongs to the patrician class, and on what time period of Roman history you're writing about. In the later period it might be plausible for a freedman to exercise more authority, but in the Republic and earlier Imperial period, absolutely not. There were some exceptions, though, such as certain freedmen attached to the Emperors, who wielded great influence.

A person to ask would be Steven Saylor. He's knowledgeable, and very friendly.

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Rowan
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Post by Rowan » Tue November 4th, 2014, 7:03 pm

The year I'm speaking of is 79 AD and I'm reading about it, not writing. :o I was just curious because I haven't read much about Roman life, but I do enjoy reading it.

Thanks for your response Laura. :)

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MLE (Emily Cotton)
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Post by MLE (Emily Cotton) » Tue November 4th, 2014, 9:20 pm

Are you perhaps reading Pompeii by Robert Harris?

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Rowan
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Post by Rowan » Tue November 4th, 2014, 9:54 pm

[quote=""MLE (Emily Cotton)""]Are you perhaps reading Pompeii by Robert Harris?[/quote]

Teach me your psychic ways!!
:D

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Post by DianeL » Tue November 4th, 2014, 11:52 pm

Rowan - hee - I wondered the same thing. I guess many of us, being fans of this genre, share quite a few reads in common! :D
"To be the queen, she agreed to be the widow!"

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The pre-modern world was willing to attribute charisma to women well before it was willing to attribute sustained rationality to them.
---Medieval Kingship, Henry A. Myers

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Post by Nefret » Tue November 4th, 2014, 11:56 pm

[quote=""MLE (Emily Cotton)""]Are you perhaps reading Pompeii by Robert Harris?[/quote]

I was just going to say that!
Into battle we ride with Gods by our side
We are strong and not afraid to die
We have an urge to kill and our lust for blood has to be fulfilled
WE´LL FIGHT TILL THE END! And send our enemies straight to Hell!
- "Into Battle"
{Ensiferum}

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Rowan
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Post by Rowan » Wed November 5th, 2014, 5:24 pm

[quote=""DianeL""]Rowan - hee - I wondered the same thing. I guess many of us, being fans of this genre, share quite a few reads in common! :D [/quote]

I actually found this book at a library sale and the title is what caught my eye and made me buy it. I guess the idea/setting is so unique that it's easy to figure out what's what. I usually don't think about what others have read unless I'm starting to dislike the book and then I come here to see if anyone else has read it and what they think and if I should just "hang in there". :o

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