Greek and Roman Slaveries. Eftychia Bathrellou

A herd of swine appeared on the road in front of our eyes! They slaughtered many of them and stayed there for two nights. They ate well, and their dogs, too, were filled. For many of them had become weak and had been left half dead by the road. After this, they gave their utmost thanks to God, and I became honored in their eyes. And from that day onward, they had food in abundance.

       How does Patrick describe his experience of slavery?

       How realistic is his description of the flight? What elements are left undiscussed? What can we learn about slave flight from this?

       Why does Patrick give more space to describing his escape than his life in slavery?

       What do you think is the purpose of this narrative? How does it affect its historical reliability?

       How useful is this narrative for understanding the experience of slavery?

      Notes

      1 ²⁶ Eranistai, literally contributors to a collection, refers either to an ad hoc group financing something, or to a more permanent association, financed by its members’ contributions.

      2 ²⁷ A term often used in Rhodian inscriptions to describe slaves born locally.

      3 ²⁸ 1 stater = 2 drachmas.

      4 ²⁹ Hegesandros of Sounion and his brother Hegesippos (nicknamed Hair-bun; see later) were prominent Athenian politicians of the time.

      5 ³⁰ Term used affectionately of a woman who cared for a small child without necessarily being the child’s biological mother or wet-nurse.

      6 ³¹ Greek text: Schepers 1905.

      7 ³² See 2.16.

      8 ³³ Greek text: Ireland 2010.

      9 ³⁴ Greek text: Blanchard 2013.

      10 ³⁵ Greek text: Sandbach 1990.

      11 ³⁶ An Athenian local community.

      12 ³⁷ Latin text: de Melo 2011.