Question

Explain the difference between freedom and slavery in Byzantine society. For example, what does it mean, in a legal sense, to go from being a slave to being free, or vice versa? How was slavery viewed in Byzantine law?

Answer 1

Freedom and slavery in Byzantine society.:

The Eastern Roman Empire or the Byzantium was the extension of the Roman Empire and they considered slavery as legal in their empire. Byzantium slaves included the prisoners from war and they were made to work as slaves in home and in churches.

Slaves of the empire were not allowed to marry until the emperor grants them the permission. There were even slave markets present in many parts of the town and they sold children and adults at fixed prices.

During the period the transition from slave to freemen took place by calling the slave to free labor and employing them in various fields and some even started to seek self-employment.