58勛圖

AN4426 Roman Slavery

Academic year

2026 to 2027 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable

To be confirmed

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof M P Lavan

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Prof M Lavan

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

The institution of slavery lies at the heart of Roman society and culture. On one estimate, slaves made up 30-40% of the population of Roman Italy, with the richest households boasting hundreds of slaves. This course offers a holistic perspective on Roman slavery. We will cover the demography, economics and law of slavery, explore the mechanisms of control that enabled the wealthy to maintain he subjection of so many slaves, examine philosophical debates about the ethics of mastery, and trace the ramifications of the everyday experience of living with slaves throughout Roman culture and literature.

Assessment pattern

100% Coursework

Re-assessment

Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2-hour seminar (x11 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

22

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

276

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Interpret evidence for ancient slavery in relation to its social, cultural and political contexts
  • Identify and describe key commonalities and differences in the experience of enslaved persons
  • Summarize different theories about the nature of slavery in the ancient world
  • Analyse the role of structures of coercion, incentives and ideology in underpinning slavery
  • Formulate sophisticated arguments about Roman slavery using appropriate methodologies and evidence