Slavery in Roman Empire[]
Historical background[]
Slavery was a thousand-year-old institution in the Roman Empire, Roman society and economy. Slavery as an 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 introduced to the Roman Republic through Ancient Greek influence. Others claim the institution of slavery was already mentioned in The Twelve Tables, the oldest origin of codified Roman Law.
In the Golden Age of the Roman Empire (Pax Romana), slavery was an extensive economical institution present in all cities of the Empire. Slave markets were widespread and slavery was an important source of workforce and profits. However, it had also a terrible impact on social conditions of Roman citizens, who lost work in favour of slaves. Also, there was large inequality in the ownership of slaves, as half of slaves were owned by patricians, who represented 1,5% of the overall imperial population.
Aside from slaves captured in conquering wars, or through piracy and human trafficking, Nexum (debt bondage) was the main source of slaves from full-right citizens of the Empire.
The Eastern Empire continued the practice of slavery after the Fall of the Western Empire. Economical changes, the themes system, the influence of Christianity and global development marginalized slavery in the Eastern Empire between the 7th Century and 10th Century, causing the situation to change.
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 the Empire, especially Imperial Court slaves-eunuchs.
Debt slavery, however, still existed and imperial legality lacked the forces to suppress this phenomenon and also the Empire enslaved 200,000 civilians after the reconquest of Crete from Muslims in 961.
Emperor Alexios Komnenos relaxed the situation and condition of slaves and allowed them to marry, but their slave status remained.
Romanos revival[]
The reign of Romanos the Great (1249-1312) marked a resurgence, but also changes in slavery's institution. The chaotic era of the Nicean and Latin Empires led to an 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, the Emperor enslaved 8,000 Venetians, while 10,000 people were enslaved after the Imperial Restoration of Cyprus. the Emperor decreased taxation on slavery (until tax reforms in 1266), opened 17 regional slave markets in various provinces and formed the institution of the 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 an exemplary case in 1252, when he ordered the arrest and execution of 40 of the 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 the throne, in the Nicean and Roman Empires there were about 60,000 slaves. When he died, that number had reached more than 850,000 and Constantinople was a 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, the position of slavery and slaves remained the same and only general number of slaves changed, depending on situation. In 1400, the population of slaves had reached about 1,1 million, but decreased after 1414 and the "Regulation Act on Labour Force", which granted freedom to nearly 800,000 slaves. The Decree of Axouch improved the legal position of slaves, established institution of indentured servants and granted slaves basic rights.
In 1478, Emperor Basil III officially abolished private slavery, aside of indetured servants and formed institution of "Labour Councils" for state-owned and private-rented slaves.
In 1530, Emperor Constantine XI the Greatest nationalized slavery. 1,400,000 slaves were nationalized and in the position of indetured servants, they were rented to private companies and individuals, but were granted rent and some financial concessions. 300,000 remained as unofficial slaves in Labour Councils.
In 1563, slavery was abolished and the last slave, not only de iure, but also in practice, was granted freedom. The institution of slavery was abolished for the next 183 years, until end of Second Pan-European War, when it was restored by Emperor Valerianus IV, who enslaved 17,000,000 people (mostly prisoners of war, arrested leaders and their families, their supporters etc.) of Saint Atlantis and returned slavery in to pre-1478 status.
From that time, slavery continue in Roman Empire, however, slaves have their own interest groups and each year, on feasts, 1% of randomly chosen slaves are granted freedom.
Slavery in Galactic Roman Imperium[]
Until final demise of Galactic Union, issue of slavery was not dealt by imperials, as they had to focus on destruction of Galactic Union. Shortly after 1923 and end of all major military operations, imperials gathered representatives of slavery from galaxy, defected politicians and government officials to study position of slavery in alien societies.
On November 17, 1925, Emperor Constantine XIV and Imperial Government made agreement with galactic slavers and galactic abolitionists. Compromise about slavery.
- Slavery is legal.
- Every slave is protected from killing or torture.
- Slaves are private property protected by imperial legal code and imperial security forces.
- Slave offsprings are still slaves.
- Every planet can open or hold slave markets.
- Every abolitionist planet have full right to liberate slaves and kill slaver, who will visit their planet.
- Slaves, who ran away, can be punished by death, but if they reach abolitionist planet, they will be free citizens.
- Slavers are prohibited to practice slave hunting and slave trade in abolitionist sectors and on abolitionist planets.
- Abolitionists are prohibited in active helping slaves to run away from slavery.
- Empire introducing slave tax in rate of 5% of slave value.
| ||||||||||||||||