Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
I don't know why but I can't access that link.
For what it's worth, I formed my early ideas about slaves in relation to Christian history & the Roman Empire rather than the USA. Perhaps I'm not one of "you moderns".
Varying degrees of oppression certainly existed--in Roman times, a slave could be worked to death in a mine or enjoy a relati ...[text shortened]... rticle on Fidel Castro "selling Cubans as slaves" http://belize1.com/BzLibrary/trust165.html).
Bosse: "both involve people forcing other people to work for nothing.... "
This is the "American" form of slavery, chattel slavery, not for instance the old Roman form of slavery.
To put things in a broader perspective, please read the following:
http://myweb.lmu.edu/fjust/Bible/Social_Aspects.htm
Some Aspects of the "Social Situation" of the "Pauline Churches"
A. Paul’s "Citizenship"
Citizenship in the Roman Empire:
originally, only the free inhabitants of the city of Rome were considered "Roman citizens"
but as time went on more and more people from other areas gained citizenship through various means;
if non-Roman soldiers retired from the imperial army, they were usually given citizenship;
if slaves belonging to Roman citizens were freed, they were usually granted citizenship;
yet most people in the Roman Empire were not "Roman citizens," but citizens of their own native cities or countries (Acts 19:35)
Privileges of Roman Citizenship:
Roman citizens had more legal rights: they could not be flogged or held in prison without trial (Acts 16:37-38)
Roman citizens could appeal to the Emperor [the "Supreme Court"] if found guilty by a local court (25:10-12)
Roman citizens could only be executed by the sword (i.e., beheading), but not tortured (e.g., crucifixion)
Roman citizens were exempt from some taxes and other obligations, esp. local rules and regulations
Paul's Multiple Citizenships:
a Hebrew, an Israelite, Jew/Judean - 2Cor 11:22; Phil 3:5; Acts 21:39--22:3
a citizen of Tarsus - Acts 9:1; 21:39; 22:3; cf. Acts 15:21; Gal 1:21
a Roman citizen - Acts 16:16-40 (esp. 37-38); 22:25-29; 23:27
a citizen of heaven! - Phil 3:20; Eph 2:19
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C. Slavery in the Roman Empire - Slavery in the 1st century Mediterranean was very different from slavery in 19th century America:
Who were slaves?
In the ancient world, people could become slaves for various reasons:
Birth: children born to slaves were automatically also slaves.
POWs: prisoners of war would often be sold as slaves.
Debts: some people were sold, or sold themselves (or their children) into slavery to pay debts (cf. Matt 18:25).
How did slaves live?
The socio-economic situation of ancient slaves was not necessarily all that bad:
Life would obviously be miserable for slaves doing hard labor in the mines or similar situations;
But life might be fairly comfortable for slaves of rich people, like senators, governors, or emperors (cf. Rom 16:23b; Phil 4:22).
Slaves could own money and other property, so that a slave might even own another slave!
Slaves might be given large amounts of authority by their masters (cf. Matt 18:23-35).
How long were they slaves?
Ancient slavery was not always life-long; many would eventually be freed (cf. 1Cor 7:21-23):
Debt-slaves often had a limited time of service agreed upon with their masters.
Some slaves might be able to save enough money to buy their own freedom.
Masters might reward especially good slaves for their service by setting them free (cf. Phlm 13-16).
Slaves of Roman citizens would usually be granted Roman citizenship when they were freed.
Slaves in the New Testament?
There are many NT references to slavery:
Christians who are slaves are told to obey their earthly masters (Col 3:22-24; Eph 6:5-8).
Christian masters were not expected to free their slaves (1Tim 6:1-2), with a few individual exceptions (Phlm 13-16).
Masters are told not to treat their slaves harshly (Col 4:1; Eph 6:9).
Erastus, the "city treasurer", was probably a slave (Rom 16:23b).
Paul and other Christians often use "slave" language metaphorically to describe their relationship with Jesus and/or God (Rom 1:1; 1Cor 7:21-23; Gal 1:10; etc.)
E. Courts & Trials, Prisons & Prisoners - The ancient judicial system was completely different from today's in several different respects:
Prisons today are mostly for the incarceration of people after they have been found guilty of a crime;
Ancient prisons were only used as holding tanks for people before they came to trial (Acts 5:17-40; 12:3-19);
But since there was no right to a "speedy trial", people might remain in prison for months or years (Acts 21:27--26:32; 28:16-31).
Prison conditions were generally abysmal, and prisoners awaiting trial were often mistreated (Acts 16:16-40).
Roman citizens were not supposed to be beaten, and had certain other privileges (Acts 16:37; 22:25).
Modern prisons provide food, medicine, etc., but ancient prisons provided almost nothing for prisoners.
To survive, a prisoner's family or friends had to bring him food, blankets, medicine, and other necessities.
Without outside help, a prisoner could easily starve or die of illness before even coming to trial.
The NT has several examples of people providing assistance to Paul while he was in prison (Phil 2:25-30; Phlm 10-14).
That is why "visiting prisoners" is such an important charitable obligation (Matt 25:31-46; etc.; see also Lucian, Peregrinus 12-13).
There was no separate judicial branch in ancient governments, but the political administrators served as judges:
The Romans usually allowed local peoples to live under their own laws, and be judged by their own rulers.
More important cases were tried before the provincial governors, but only citizens of Rome could "appeal to the emperor."
The state did not bring charges against individuals, but other private individuals had to accuse people of crimes.
If the defendant was found innocent, the penalty he/she would have received sometimes fell upon the accuser!
After trial, innocent people were freed, while guilty people could be punished in various ways (but did not remain incarcerated):
Fines: monetary penalties or the forfeit of property.
Flogging: beatings or other physical punishments (Acts 5:40).
Exile: being forced to leave home and/or told where they may live (Rev 1:9).
Death: capital punishment, using especially means of execution for slaves and foreigners (Jesus).
Thus Paul was not in prison because he had been found guilty of some crime, but he was still awaiting trial after being arrested (see Phlm 1, 9, 23; Col 4:3, 10; Phil 1:7-26; 2Cor 1:8-11; cf. Acts 19:21-41).
http://myweb.lmu.edu/fjust/Bible/Social_Aspects.htm