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Alonzo and Kai

Source A reveals that slave treatment depended on your owner, this source revealing how slaves were treated under a bad owner. For example, this entire source is about a slave owner complaining about his slaves. Ballio, the slave owner, threatens to whip his slaves and constantly insults them. This reveals that if you were unfortunate to have a very sadistic owner, the treatment that you’d experience as their slave would be treacherous.

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Food and Grain Rations:

The amount of food you are given is according to your status as a slave:

Field slaves:

4 modii of grain in winter,

4.5 modii in summer

Supervisory slaves (superintendent, housekeeper, watchman, shepherd):

3 modii of grain

Slaves in chains:

4 lbs of bread (winter)

5 lbs (spring-summer, vine-training to fig harvest)

Wine Rations

Month 4: ½ pint/day or - 7 quarts/month

Months 5–8: 1 pint/day or - 11 quarts/month

Months 9–11: ¾ quart/day or - 6 gallons/month

Festivals (Saturnalia & Compitalia): -3 quarts each slave.

Clothing & Footwear

Tunic: 3.5 feet, given every 2 years

Cloak: every 2 years

Old garments were reused for cassocks

Shoes: given every 2 years

Hard labour expected: Even in winter, slaves were expected to work and received rations accordingly

Different treatment based on role: Higher-ranking slaves got less food than field workers, possibly due to less physical labour.

Punishment and chains: Slaves in chains were still worked and fed but only in basic amounts.

Rare treats: Slightly better rations were given only during festivals like Saturnalia.

Used goods: Clothes and shoes were reused or repurposed; new items were rarely given.

The Romans were given a reward system to motivate them to work

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Slaves were seen as people who were clearly undervalued due to the text extract of ‘... I needn’t be much afraid if I’m ready for my master…’ which outlines the use of slaves as it shows if they do not follow orders they will be punished for it, and the claim of not feeling afraid can mean that they must have had a traumatic experience by their owners in the past. This trauma caused these slaves to be obedient and behave as well as they could as if they didn’t they'd face harsh consequences of being lashed and flogging. They had a multitude of responsibilities for their owner, but it seemed like these actions went unnoticed and unappreciated judging by the punishment given for minor errors.

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This source reveals that while slaves would conduct household chores, they were not allowed to suggest or participate in family matters/business. There were regular whipping posts where slaves would commonly be punished for their misconduct or for trying to argue with their owners. The slaves were regularly abused, beaten, and thrashed, causing them to sustain various injuries, including their ribs, which were a common spot for slaves to be whipped. The slaves were assigned special jobs, according to their skills, to further increase efficiency in household chores. They were viewed as cleaning or labour objects with little human decency received mostly. Finally, the slaves were not allowed to argue or stand up for other slaves, as they would meet similar consequences to other slaves, including whipping or death.

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Source A reveals a play describing both a slave owner (Ballio) and slave. Ballio is depicted as a harsh and exploitative master. Through the character of Ballio, a cruel and abusive owner, the source reveals that slaves were often treated as inhuman and a item more than a person. Firstly Ballio refers to the slave as "rascals" and "race born to be thrashed" dehumanizing them and putting their identity as a worthless and lazy thing. Ballio not only insulting them but also beats them. He expects total obedience and uses fear and violence to control them. This source reveals that cruelty toward slaves was normal and accepted in Roman life.

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This passage consists of expressing feelings by a hardworking servant whose obedience is not prompted by sanctity but rather by practicality and fear of punishment. He feels that an ideal servant must exercise full authority over the affairs of his master, especially when the latter is away from home, his primary concern being to save himself from beatings and hard work rather than to fulfill some inner needs or appetites of his own. By setting himself up against the lazy and disobedient slaves who suffer only, he rationalizes the conduct he so loyally undertakes as the wiser way. His obedience, therefore, is one of self-preservation with eventual reward in his mind, showing a very pragmatic thinking produced by a social system that is harsh, wherein loyalty is shaped less by moral consideration and more by necessity.

Ben And Eshan

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The extract from 'Plautus's Pseudolus' provides its intended audience, being the general public and those interested in Roman history, with a clear illustration of how individuals within Rome perceived the concept of possessing and purchasing slaves. It effectively highlights an ancient civilisation in which slaves frequently encountered dehumanisation, commonly referred to as the property of anyone with high status and further derogatory terms, rather than being viewed as humans. Such language emphasises the absence of fair treatment and respect for these individuals' humanity. Additionally, this extract starkly reveals the infliction of pain and torture upon slaves, utilised as a form of punishment for stepping out of line. This is evident in Ballio's frequent threats and use of violence. Slaves' primary function was to perform tasks for their owners/masters, limited in their choices and living under harsh conditions; however, some individuals could buy their freedom. This outlook supplies the audience with a clear insight into the issues regarding slavery in Ancient Rome, resulting in injustices for those serving and in the slave market.

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Hope, Charlotte, Rose

In source B, they viewed slaves as humans for example: the fed them and gave them clothes but they still had low status, so they were still treated fairly. However the text focuses of managment of a farm but with slaves working for you

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Slaves were viewed as different roles such as the superintendent, the housekeeper, the watchmen, and the shepherd. They treated them as if they were property. Offering themselves limited and terrible things such as Sour wine said in the text and limited quarts. They also say they can eat the olives and collect the oil. It also says it would give them a Tunic change every 2 Years along with shoes. It basically says they were seen as property and work labor to do things for you but they were still treated with the least dignity possible.

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LINDA & ARIELLE

Source C shows slaves were treated cruel and harshly in Ancient Rome. They had to work all the time and follow strict orders such as managing their masters business and working hard even when the master isn't there. If they didn't they would face punishments like beating being chained forced labour at the mill hunger and cold. the slave in the play jokes about this, but it shows that fear of punishment controlled how slaves acted. It also shows that some slaves obeyed just to avoid pain, not because they wanted to. This highlights how unfair and strict life was for slaves.

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Messenio’s soliloquy provides a vivid insight into the life of a Roman slave. His words reveal that slaves were expected to be diligent, obedient, and completely devoted to their master's affairs. They were responsible for managing their master's business, ensuring that tasks were completed efficiently, even in their master's absence. The tone suggests that failure to do so resulted in harsh punishments, including beatings, chains, and relentless labour at the mill.

Messenio emphasises that physical suffering—weariness, hunger, and exposure to bitter cold—was a common reality for slaves, particularly if they were perceived as lazy or incompetent. This fear of punishment drives his obedience, as he acknowledges that being diligent and careful is the best way to protect himself from brutal consequences. He prefers verbal reprimands over physical floggings, demonstrating that slaves had little autonomy and had to endure harsh treatment.

His reflection on grinding meal suggests that slaves toiled endlessly under gruelling conditions, yet those who obeyed their masters might hope for some form of reward. While he submits to his fate, he also implies that careful obedience ensures survival and might bring eventual benefits.

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Alexis and Yin

In this source, it shows that there were many slave owners that were ruthless and cruel. Ballio would treat his slaves horribly, call them names and enjoy seeing them suffer. It shows how some slave owners have no empathy for their slaves.