Slavery in the Late Antique World, 150 – 700 CE

Chris L. de Wet, Maijastina Kahlos, Ville Vuolanto

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Year: 2022
• Print ISBN:
  9781108476225
• eBook ISBN:
  9781108753548
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: Ancient History
• Index: History

Slavery in the Late Antique World, 150 – 700 CE investigates the ideological, moral, cultural, and symbolic aspects of slavery, as well the living conditions of slaves in the Mediterranean basin and Europe during a period of profound transformation. It focuses on socially marginal areas and individuals on an unprecedented scale. Written by an international team of scholars, the volume establishes that late ancient slavery is a complex and polymorphous phenomenon, one that was conditioned by culture and geography. Rejecting preconceived ideas about slavery as static and without regional variation, it offers focused case studies spanning the late ancient period. They provide in-depth analyses of authors and works, and consider a range of factors relevant to the practice of slavery in specific geographical locations. Using comparative and methodologically innovative approaches, this book revisits and questions established assumptions about late ancient slavery. It also enables fresh insights into one of humanity's most tragic institutions.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-title page
• Title page
• Copyright page
• Contents
• List of Figures
• List of Tables
• List of Contributors
• Preface
• A Note on Abbreviations and Sources Used
• Introduction Late Antique Studies and the New Polyphony for Slave Studies
• Part I Moral and Symbolic Values of Slavery
• Part II Slavery, Cultural Discourses, and Identity
• Part III Slavery, Social History, and the Papyrological and Epigraphical Sources
• Part IV Social and Religious Histories of Slavery on the Borders of the Empire and Beyond
• Bibliography
• Index