The Ethics of Slavery in Ancient Civilizations

Slavery, a practice that has existed in various forms throughout human history, was always a subject of significant ethical debate. In ancient civilizations, slavery was not only an economic and social institution but also deeply intertwined with the moral and philosophical frameworks of the time. Understanding the ethics of slavery in these early societies requires an examination of the cultural, religious, and philosophical beliefs that shaped attitudes toward slavery, as well as an analysis of the social structures that sustained it. So how did different cultures rationalize or oppose the practice? But more importantly, how did these perspectives evolve over time?

An Era of Different Worldviews: The Concept of Slavery in Ancient Civilizations

For millennia, slavery in ancient civilizations was a complex institution, varying significantly across regions and cultures. The ancient Near East, Egypt, Greece, Rome, and other civilizations all practiced slavery, but their justifications and ethical views differed greatly. In general, slavery was considered a natural part of society, with slaves often viewed as property rather than individuals with rights. This perception was supported by religious, legal, and philosophical frameworks that sought to justify the subjugation of one group of people by another.

In Mesopotamia, one of the earliest civilizations, slavery was institutionalized and regulated by law. The Code of Hammurabi, dating back to around 1754 BC, includes detailed regulations concerning the treatment of slaves, their rights (albeit quite limited), and the penalties for mistreating them. However, the code also reflects the view that slaves were property, with provisions that allowed for their sale, punishment, and even branding.

Similarly, in ancient Egypt, slavery was deeply embedded in the social and economic fabric of society. Slaves were often prisoners of war, debtors, or individuals sold into slavery by their families. While Egyptian religious beliefs emphasized the importance of ma’at (truth, balance, order, and justice), these principles did not extend to questioning the institution of slavery itself. Instead, the ethical treatment of slaves was often left to the discretion of their owners, with no overarching moral or religious condemnation of the practice.

Ancient Roman collared slave. (Jun / CC BY-SA 2.0)

Read more…

Top image: Historical Scene of Ancient Slavery.   Source: Domingo / Adobe Stock

By Aleksa Vučković