Slavery in Classical Greece / Edition 1

by N.R.E. Fisher

Overview

This is an authoritative and clearly written account of the main issues involved in the study of Greek slavery from Homeric times to the fourth century BC. It provides valuable insights into the fundamental place of slavery in the economies and social life of classical Greece,
and includes penetrating analyses of the widely-held ancient ideological justifications of slavery. A wide range of topics is covered, including the development of slavery from Homer to the classical period, the peculiar form of community slaves (the helots)
found in Sparta, economic functions and the treatment of slaves in
Athens, and the evidence for slaves' resistance. Throughout the author shows how political and economic systems, ideas of national identity,
work and gender, and indeed the fundamental nature of Greek civilisation itself, were all profoundly affected by the fact that many of the Greek city-states were slave societies. With 12 illustrations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781853991349
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	01/01/1998
Series:	Classical World Series
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.28(d)

About the Author

Professor Nick Fisher is Professor Emeritus of Ancient History at Cardiff University.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations iv

Preface v

Map of Classical Greece vii

1. Definitions and Problems: Chattel Slaves, 1
Serfs, and the Concept of a Slave-Society
2. The Development of Chattel Slavery: From 10
Homer to Solon
3. Community Slaves or Serfs: the Spartan 22
Helots and Others
4. Slaves in Classical Athens: Numbers, 34
and Economic Functions
5. Slaves in Classical Athens: Treatment and 58
and Hopes of Freedom
6. Resistance, Flight and Revolt 79
7. Justifications: Barbarians and Natural Slaves 86
8. Associated Ideologies: Work, Leisure and Sex 99

Suggestions for Further Study 109
Suggestions for Further Reading 111

Glossary 119