Slavery in Roman Empire (Premysloides Dynasty)

Historical background
Slavery was thousand years old institution in Roman Empire, Roman society and economy. Slavery as institution fully transformed man or woman in to tool of profit and work, in theory. In practice, situation varied on historical conditions and eras.

According some sources, slavery was to Roman Republic introduced through Ancient Greek influence. Other claim institution of slavery was already mentioned in The Twelve Tables, oldest origin of codified Roman Law.

In Golden Age of Roman Empire (Pax Romana), slavery was extensive economical institution present in all cities of Empire. Slave markets were widespread and slavery important source of workforce and profits. However, it had also terrible impact on social conditions of Roman citizens, who lost work in favour of slaves. Also, there was large inequality of owning slaves, as half of slaves were owned by patricians, who represented 1,5% of overall imperial population.

Aside of slaves captured in conquering wars, or through piracy and human trafficking, Nexum (debt bondage) was main source of slaves from full-right citizens of Empire.

Eastern Empire continued in slavery practice after Fall of Western Empire. Economical changes, system of themats, influence of Christianity and global development marginalized slavery in Eastern Empire after 7th Century and to 10th Century, situation changed.

In this time, most of slaves were eunuchs, prostitutes, educators or professional experts, while former slavery used for "cheap labour" de facto ceased exist, or remained only in impoverished provinces. Also social situation of slaves was very different and many slaves had higher social status, social security and incomes, than most peasants and serfs in Empire, especially Imperial Court slaves-eunuchs.

Debt slavery, however, still existed and imperial legality had not forces to suppress this phenomenon and also Empire enslaved 200,000 civilians after reconquest of Crete from Muslims in 961.

Emperor Alexios Komnenos relaxed situation and condition of slaves and allowed them to marry, but their slave status remained.

Romanos revival
Reign of Romanos the Great (1249-1312) marked resurgence, but also changes in slavery institution. Chaotic era of Nicean and Latin Empire led to increase of slave supplies and Emperor Romanos was not in opposition toward slavery, especially because many imperial provinces were depopulated after plagues, wars and banditism.

After Fall of Venice, Emperor enslaved 8,000 Venetians, 10,000 peoples were enslaved after Imperial Restoration of Cyprus. Emperor decreased taxation of slavery (until tax reforms in 1266), opened 17 regional slave markets in various provinces and formed institution of Supreme Slaver, as regular government official responsible for handling legal cases of slavery, state-owned slaves and negotiating in disputes of private-owned slaves and slavers.

Emperor Romanos improved conditions of slaves by prohibiting torture or crippling by their owner and enforced it through exemplary case in 1252, when he ordered arrest and execute 40 worst slavers. Romanos reforms of slavery granted freedom to slave-born children and granted freedom to raped slaves of both sexes (not counted for prostitute-slaves).

When Emperor Romanos took throne, in Nicean and Roman Empire were about 60,000 slaves. When he died, number reached more than 850,000 and Constantinople was global slave market center with annual output of 100,000 slaves sold to all countries by various slavers and merchants.

After Romanos
Until Valerianus III reforms of human rights in 1427, position of slavery and slaves remained same and only general number of slaves changed, depending on situation. In 1400, population of slaves reached about 1,1 million, but decreased after 1414 and "Regulation Act on Labour Force", which granted freedom to nearly 800,000 slaves and Decree of Axouch improved legal position of slaves, established institution of indetured servants and granted slaves basic rights.

In 1487, Imperial Government officially accepted anti-slavery legislation and deleted row "Slaves" in imperial censuses. In fact, slavery still remained important factor through indetured servants and real slaves gained through imperial conquests.