Slavery in ancient Rome

(Learn how and when to remove this message) Roman mosaic from Dougga, Tunisia (2nd/3rd century AD): Two large slaves carrying wine jars; each wears an amulet against an evil eye on a necklace, with one in a loincloth (left) and the other in an exomis; the young slave to the left carries water and towels, and the one on the right a bough and a basket of flowers. Slavery played an important role in the society and economy of ancient Rome. Unskilled or low-skill slaves labored in the fields, mines, and mills with few opportunities for advancement and little chance of freedom. Skilled and educated slaves—including artisans, chefs, domestic staff and personal attendants, entertainers, business managers, accountants and bankers, educators at all levels, secretaries and librarians, civil servants, and physicians—occupied a more privileged tier of servitude and could hope to obtain freedom through one of several well-defined paths with protections under the law. The possibility of manumission and subsequent citizenship was a distinguishing feature of Rome's system of slavery, resulting in a significant and influential number of freedpersons in Roman society. At all levels of employment