The gold content is worth 7 years of a legionary’s salary! #history #pompeii

[HistorybyMae]

Some additional context. In the ancient world, jewellery was an indicator of social status. We can assume that this woman’s status was quite high and that she had access to certain privileges which were inaccessible to even free men and women. Despite the very unfortunate reality of slavery, her proximity to wealth gave her advantages compared to her peers. Perhaps she was his favorite mistress, we can only guess.

[ltpunkrocket]

I realized this could also absolve her of any accusation of theft.

[alexanderfaust]

Dressing your slaves in luxurious items was a massive projection of your wealth as a Dominus/Domina. Like "I can afford to dress MY slaves in gold and silk, what are YOUR slaves wearing?" This was literally being "extra" in antiquity. Who knows though, maybe the Dominus was actually in love with this slave, or at the very least really appreciated her work. There are a number of stories of masters freeing their slaves so that they could marry them. Shout out Titus Pullo.

[craigsurette]

One pound of gold.The metal alone is worth 38, 000 dollars or so

[quitequiet]

Originally a wedding band was a arm band of gold that created a representation of security for the bride...
That slave was undoubtedly beloved and marked as valuable...

[rostovolt]

It could also be show of power for the owner too "I even dress my slave in gold" kinda boasting

[andreacardone]

Ancilla doesnt mean slave! Its more of a handmaid, someone whose status was inferior who worked for someone, who would pay her with food and a shelter.

[marlabrown]

I've always and still do love watching the archeology of Pompeii.

[remveel]

Dripped out slaves ensure other nobles NOT to mess with said slaves.

[TtotheCizzel]

I love the mind fuck of this gift.

Here's something most free people could never afford. It says I own you

[defectiveangel]

oh this was actually quite common in pompeii and the roman empire!! slaves, generally women, who had been a part of the family for a long time, were often gifted gold bracelets by the paterfamilias (head of household) partially as a sign of ownership, but mostly as a sign of acceptance into the household and family!!

[ShebbyYT]

The depiction of a snake binding the arm is very symbolic.

[RC--lmtj]

In latin class we were taught that not all romans treated their slaves badly and especially in the city they would have had access even to entertainment events like amphitheaters, some would be treated like family and released at some point, while others treated their slaves like garbage. In this case however, we have no idea as this could have been a show of power and wealth or just a present with kind intentions. All we know is that whoever that owner was, they were definitely quite eccentric.

Edit: i want to clarify that i absolutely condemn slavery and hate it. It disgusts me. This comment is only here to present the two likely options of the intention of the jewelry gift in this video, not to be taken as "slavery wasnt all that bad".

[Magund]

Years ago I visited Pompeii and originally they left the body casts of people as they had fallen in the streets and buildings or as they tried to cover each other. It made the eruption seem so immediate and real. But tourists began to destroy the casts so they were all moved to museums for safety. Such a shame, now the streets are eerily empty of the signs of life that once flourished there.

[robertwoodson]

I love your history and art content. It’s very moving.

[DelendaCarthagoEst]

I think in Latin Ancilla, ae means servant, Servvs, i (Serva, ae feminine) means slave

[DragunovSniperElite]

Slaves in ancient Rome are not just poorly educated physical labourer, they can be highly educated tutors and administrators, accounts, and perform what we would consider white-collared work

[Thecelestial]

Slavery is such a weird concept. This master loved his slave enough to give her an incredible material gift, but not enough to give her freedom? Maybe I'm messed up, but I get the feeling he loved her but she didn't love him and thats why he provided amazing gifts but not the freedom to leave him.

[tonimarx]

Back then they were called slaves. Nowadays they're called employees.

[raynes]

Watched a documentary about Pompeii just the other day. They found three skeletons in a bakery, two women and a young lad - all of them slaves. They had taken shelter near an oven, and were crushed under the weight of the collapsing stonework above them.

The windows were all barred. They were all locked in the bakery, by most accounts a horrific job due to the dust and heat. Life limiting work. Ultimately the three people trapped and had no choice but to wait and hope, which sadly proved futile.

The bakery, an attached villa undergoing renovations at the time of the eruption and the three people were property of a wealthy local man and aspiring politician by the name Aulus Rustius Verus. We’ve seen his name crop up a few times - graffiti asking for votes and support in the election, and his initials are stamped on items like millstones. He may have been using the bakery as a way to gain favour with the public, bread and circuses in the most literal sense. Not sure what became of him, I’m sure it was a more pleasant fate than befell his slaves.