Roman Slave And Client-Patron Relationship

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“Tyranny naturally arises out of democracy, and the most aggravated form of tyranny and slavery out of the most extreme form of liberty” (Plato, The Republic, Book VIII). In ancient Rome, “slaves were regarded as property, just like any other object owned by their master” (Aldrete, p.66). The line between slave and non-slave in Rome was similar to today, very clear and defined. Roman slaves could become manumitted, making the slave a free person, but without the same rights as people who were born free. The distinctions of jobs and tasks of slaves and free people rely mostly on if the job or task is deemed to be dangerous or cause dishonor and shame to the individual. In ancient Rome, what a free person can do and what a slave can do were …show more content…
If a client or patron were to harm one another, they would be liable for being brought to court and could be found guilty of breaking the client-patron relationship, which would result in dishonor and shame. Because of this, “an ex-master should not be granted a hearing if he demands work […] that would harm the manner or pattern of the client’s life” (RSH, 5.28.17). In one case, the question was asked if a freedman could open a clothing manufacturer against his master’s will and the reply was, “there was no reason given why he could not, if the patron suffered no harm from this” (RSH, 5.28.45). This is an example describing a client-patron relationship where the client may do what he wishes, even if it goes against what his patron will, as long as it doesn’t harm the patron. If this does hurt the patron, then the client must cease what is causing the harm, and vice-versa for if a patron harms their client. In the case of a slave, however, the master has complete control over them and the slave has no standing against their master. Therefore, a master can ask anything of a slave, even if it does cause shame and harm, because to Romans slaves were not people just possessions, so their owner can do whatever they wish to do with
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