The familia urbana
familia urbana Included domestic slaves in country-side Slaves engaged in producing wealth for owner Slaves provided service for owner; Functioned as display of owner’s wealth;
Size of slave familia Wide variety Pedanius Secundus had 400 slaves (all executed for his murder) The freedman C. Caecilius Isidorus owned 4,116 slaves when he died in 8 BCE Melania the Younger manumitted 8000 slaves in the 5th century when she became a Christian ascetic Average upper-class household in late Republic probably in the range of 100
Job titles in familia urbana number of slaves with specific job-titles was an indicator of a slave-owner’s wealth See Trimalchio’s Dinner chapter 5
Livia’s familia urbana Livia, Augustus’ wife, one of wealthiest Romans; had a very large familia including many specialized slaves: In her bedroom alone she had six cubicularii had her own paedogogi for the children in the household five doctors, a sick bay More details see page 62-63
Slave hierarchy Rustici were inferior to urbani Each slave familia had own internal occupational hierarchy skilled slaves in household were superior to less skilled slaves, i.e. dispensator (steward) superior to a pedisequa (female attendant); skilled craftsmen superior to an unskilled domestic servant Slaves of prominent Romans were superior to slaves of ordinary Romans familia caesaris superior to any privately owned slaves Slave hierarchies contributed to absence of common identity among Roman slave
use of slaves in conspicuous consumption display of wealth Slaves used as retinues: Cato the Younger while military tribune in 67 B.C. had with him 15 slaves, 2 liberti, and 4 amici, Scipio Africanus had with him 5 slaves, Caesar 3, Cicero also small retinue – but had to borrow some slaves while campaigning for consulship to look appropriately wealthy and worthy In large urban households the slave familia did not produce income but was an expense
Number of slaves in a household Cannot quantify number of slaves for most households But the more specialized slaves were, the larger was the familia urbana of a Roman Cicero, although a Roman consul, had relatively modest wealth – most slaves performed more than one task More humble people had 1 or 2 slaves who did everything in and around the house
Where did household slaves live Household slaves lived in same house as owner Small rooms cellae (Pliny the Younger, Ep. 7.27.12-14 – is an exception – he was so wealthy that he had separate buildings on his property to house slaves)
Cicero’s familia urbana Although member of senatorial elite – compared to other elite households had relatively few slaves with a specific job-title:
Cicero’s administrative staff dispensator = steward – his freedman Philotimus actuarius = bookkeeper (supervised by Philotimus) ad manum (the slave Tiro) – personal secretary – also used for financial matters when needed librarii (several slaves) = clerks who also functioned as copyists tabellarii (several slave messengers)
“There came to the house of Cicero at midnight men who were the leading and most powerful Romans, Marcus Crassus, Marcus Marcellus, and Scipio Metellus. Summoning the door- keeper they bade him wake Cicero and tell him they were there” (Plutarch, Cic. 15)
Cicero’s familia urbana Although member of senatorial elite – compared to other elite households had relatively few slaves with a specific job-title:
Cicero’s administrative staff dispensator = steward – his freedman Philotimus actuarius = bookkeeper (supervised by Philotimus) ad manum (the slave Tiro) – personal secretary – also used for financial matters when needed librarii (several slaves) = clerks who also functioned as copyists tabellarii (several slave messengers)
Identity of Slaves Slaves identified with the domus (household) of the family that owned them. Slaves also identified with their work Pride in professions
Affection for a nurse “To the Spirits of the Dead. To Servia Cornelia Sabina, freedwoman of Servius. Servius Cornelius Dolabella Metillanus made this for his nurse and ‘mummy’ (nutrici et mammui), who well deserved it” (ILS 8532)
Slave professions shopkeepers, traders, bankers, money-lenders, often operated as their owners’ managers and agents, had great degree of latitude and independence. (business activities: negotia Any number of business could be in hands of slaves, bought houses, traded cattle or slaves, were innkeepers, Were captains of cargo ships, ferries,
Skilled slaves: apprenticeship contracts (Stud.Pal.XXII 40) ca. 140 CE “Contract between Segathis, daughter of Satobous from village of Soknopaiou Nesos, about 60 years old …has handed over to Pausiris, son of Panemmeus, weaver….her slave girl whose name is Taorsenouphis to learn the skill of weaving for a period of one year and two months, ..The child shall be fed and clothed by Pausiris. All public taxes pertaining to the trade shall be paid by Pausiris and the girl shall not be absent from the house of Pausiris by day or night without his authority. And for whatever number of days she is idle through the fault of her mistress or is sick or neglects her duties, she shall remain for an equal number of days in compensation after the set time……”
The Benefits of having skilled slaves Roman senators prohibited from being involved in large-scale businesses - Slaves functioning as agents allowed them to circumvent this law Similarly, woman were legally prohibited from participating in many business and legal transactions -Slaves allowed them to circumvent restrictions and provided them with economic autonomy In absence of children – slaves could take care of their elderly owners and provide income for them working as weavers, skilled artisans, etc.
The meaning of work From perspective of elite, work was demeaning From slave perspective – work provided them with an identity that allowed them to participate in society Pride in work displayed on tombstones of slaves and ex-slaves
The treatment of slaves 1 incentives and Rewards 2. punishments 3 The treatment of slaves 1 incentives and Rewards 2. punishments 3. legal protection (law and social practice)
Grave relief Master and mistress with slaves – note the iconography of slaves
Morning Toilette A wealthy mistress and her personal slaves
Little Iunius
Pompeian wall painting
Grave Relief for wealthy master
Slaves in the kitchen
Triclinium (dining room)
Kitchen – House of the Tragic Poet
House of Mysteries
Kitchen Utensils
House of Black Anchor Garden
Herculaneum House summer triclinium, garden
Culina (kitchen) model
Cubiculum (bedroom)