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.

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.

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.

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

Ben And Eshan

• 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

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.