Week 7 - Slave Trade

Strabo – Geography 7.3.12 (Early 1st c. BCE–CE)

– Summary Explains ethnic origins of slave names in Attica, showing how slaves were identified by region of origin and cultural stereotypes.

The names 'Geta' and 'Daos' were common for slaves among the Athenians... Athenians would either name their slaves after the area from which they were imported, or give them names that were common in those countries.

Hermippos – Fragment 63 K-A (420s BCE)

Comic fragment listing trade goods and slaves, showing Phrygia and Pagasae as major sources of slaves in the Athenian economy.

From Phrygia slaves, from Arcadia hired soldiers. Pagasae furnishes slaves, and tattooed rascals.

Apollodorus – Against Phormio [Dem.] 45.86 (4th c. BCE)

Illustrates everyday assumptions about slavery in Athenian society; slaves as property regardless of origin or individuality.

It is not as if your slave is Syros or Manes or whatever his name is, while this is Phormio, for the deed is the same. Those are slaves and this is a slave; I am a master and you are masters.

Aristophanes – Wasps 169–171 + scholia (5th c. BCE)

Evidence for regular slave sales in Athens, possibly on the first of the month, indicating organized market practices.

Menander – Fragment 150 K-A (Late 4th–early 3rd c. BCE)

Depicts the kukloi (slave-selling circles) in Athens, showing public display and commodification of slaves.

I already seem to see myself, I swear by the gods, stripped-down in the kukloi, hurried about the circle and sold.

Theophrastus – Characters 17.6 (Late 4th c. BCE)

Shows private negotiation and buyer skepticism in slave sales, reflecting economic attitudes toward slaves as commodities.

When he has bought a slave at a bargain price after long haggling he says 'I wonder how healthy it can be if I got it so cheap.'

Hypereides – Fragment 3.15 (4th c. BCE)

Warranty clauses in slave sale contracts, highlighting legal protections for buyers and disclosure requirements.

Whenever anyone sells a slave, he must declare in advance any physical disability from which the man suffers. Otherwise the slave in question can be returned to the vendor.

Hesychius – Lexicon s.v. en leukomasi (Late antiquity)

Describes public registration of slave sales on white boards, ensuring transparency and accountability in transactions.

It was customary to register pieces of land and slaves sold on white boards... so that if anyone wished, he could safely make a charge when he saw the white board.

Attic Stelai – IG I^3 421–430 (413 BCE)

Lists confiscated property including slaves identified by ethnic origin (Carian, Thracian, Syrian, Lydian), showing diversity of the slave population in Athens. Examples include Carian names (IG I^3 421.9), Syrian (IG I^3 421.37), Thracian (IG I^3 421.34), Lydian (IG I^3 421.49). 10.

Naval List – IG I^3 1032 (Late 5th c. BCE)

Records slaves serving with naval crews, identified by ethnic origin (Syrian, Phoenician, Carian, Phrygian), illustrating state use of foreign slaves in military contexts. Entries include Syrian (line 120), Phoenician (line 107), Carian (line 119), Phrygian (line 2