comandatorelarsonslaves'life

A slave’s day began at daybreak. If his master lived in a cold climate, the first job of the day for a day would be to fire up the fire. When his master awoke, a slave would be expected to assist dressing him. When the day properly began, a whole group of slaves started set tasks, such as walking children to school, cleaning a villa, washing clothes, tidying a garden etc. A group of slaves would work in a kitchen preparing the day’s meals. When a rich man and his family bathed at home, slaves would help out by drying them once they had finished and dressing them. When a master moved around, slaves would carry him in a litter. When a master entertained, slaves would ensure a constant supply of food and drink. If guests had to return home and it was dark, a slave or slaves would walk ahead of them with a lighted torch. ===   The roman slaves made over a quarter of the population. They were people who were frequently captured in battle and sent back to Rome to be sold. However, abandoned children could also be brought up as slaves. The law also stated that fathers could sell their older children if they were in need of money. So don’t get lost or if you are an adult don’t loose your kids. It would be cruel if you sold just them to make money. You can get your kids back at the wealthy mans’ slave markets. If you became friends with a wealthy man he might give you one of his 500 slaves. But an emperor would be better because they have about 20,000 slaves. Once bought, a slave was a slave for life. A slave could only get their freedom if they were given it by their owner or if they bought their freedom. To buy your freedom, you had to raise the same sum of money that your master had paid for you witch is a virtually impossible. === If a slave married and had children, the children would automatically become slaves. Young children were sometimes killed by their parents rather than let them become slaves. Don’t kill them please though that is really cruel. Slaves lead poor lives simply because they were slaves. A good master looked after a good slave as an equally good replacement might be hard to acquire or expensive. A good cook was highly prized. So good that they tried to outdo each other when banquets were held, so the importantance of owning a good cook is very high.  This is thought to connect to our modern times because we have butlers. Also our butlers have their freedom and can quit at any time. And usually don’t live at the "master's house"!