Slaves have been exploited in most societies throughout human history. There have, however, been only five genuine slave societies, and of these, two were in antiquity: classical Greece and classical Italy. Here distinguished historian Sir Moses Finley examines those two not in isolation, but in comparison. In this thought-provoking study of slavery in ancient Greece and Italy, Sir Moses Finley discusses how slave societies came into being and considers the moral, social, and economic underpinnings that allowed them to ...
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Slaves have been exploited in most societies throughout human history. There have, however, been only five genuine slave societies, and of these, two were in antiquity: classical Greece and classical Italy. Here distinguished historian Sir Moses Finley examines those two not in isolation, but in comparison. In this thought-provoking study of slavery in ancient Greece and Italy, Sir Moses Finley discusses how slave societies came into being and considers the moral, social, and economic underpinnings that allowed them to prosper. His comparison of ancient slave societies with their relatively modern counterparts in the New World opens a new perspective on the history of slavery. Sir Moses' inquiry sheds light on the complex ways in which ideological interests affect historical interpretation.
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This excellent book is composed of four essays relating to ancient Mediterranean slavery. The first is most likely to interest only those with a specific interest in the historiography on the topic and ideological disputes among professional historians.
The other essays all relate to the nature, rise and decline of Greek and Roman slavery. They are clearly written, rich in fact and argument. These latter 3 essays are clearly aimed at academics with exacting standards but are nonetheless very accessible to educated and interested general readers. As is just about the case with all successful books I've seen on specific manifestations of slavery, they shed light on other parts of the spectrum, both chronologically and in respect to the fundamental types of labor in pre-modern societies.
