From: Britannica
Slavery in Ancient Greece It must be remembered, however, that a very large part of the population was not free, that the Athenian state rested on a foundation of slavery. Two-fifths (some authorities say four-fifths) of the population were slaves. Slave labor produced much of the wealth that gave the citizens of Athens time and money to pursue art and learning and to serve the state. Slavery in Greece was a peculiar institution. When a city was conquered, its inhabitants were often sold as slaves. Kidnapping boys and men in “barbarian,” or non-Greek, lands and even in other Greek city-states was another steady source of supply. If a slave was well educated or could be trained to a craft, he was in great demand. An Athenian slave often had a chance to obtain his freedom, for quite frequently he was paid for his work, and this gave him a chance to save money. After he had bought his freedom or had been set free by a grateful master, he became a metic—a resident alien. Many of the slaves, however, had a miserable lot. They were sent in gangs to the silver mines at Laurium, working in narrow underground corridors by the dim light of little lamps. Let’s Review! 1.
What proportion of the Athenian population consisted of slaves, and how did their labor contribute to the wealth of the city?
2.
How was slavery different in Greece compared to other societies, and what were the common sources of slaves in ancient Greece?
3.
In what circumstances would an Athenian slave hope to obtain freedom, and what was their status after gaining freedom?
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