The purpose of this paper, despite the limited and problematic nature of the
sources, is to strive to render much more specific answers to the issues in question
with regard to how and from where the Carian slaves were being brought; the existence of Carian slaves in Athens; their functions, role and characteristics within the
Athenian Society. It is known that at the beginning of 5th century BC, the young
and handsome slaves, having been procured from the Carian cities like Pedasa,
were being transported and sold at the Greek cities, especially in Athens. The slave
trade from Caria must have continued from the early period onwards, as the
sources show that the Carian slaves were being traded to Hellas in convoys of ships
during the Roman Period as well. The earliest existence of Carian slaves in Greece
goes back to the Mycenaean Period. During the Early Archaic Period (800-600),
the Carian slaves appear to have participated at the festival of Anthesteria in
Athens. Besides, Carian names, possibly the slaves, appear on the Red and Black
Figure vases during the last quarter of 6th century BC as kalos inscriptions or love
names, dedicated by the vase painters to the most favourite or handsome boys from
diffrent ethnic origins living in Athens. The most comprehensive source, testifying
the existence of Carian slaves in Athens, stems from a fragmentary list of slaves
confiscated and sold at public auction after their owners were convicted of sacrilege for mutilating the hermai and for the impiety toward the mysteries of Eleusis.
In the list of slaves from the confiscation of the property of these Athenians, the
Carian slaves are ranked second after the Thracian slaves in terms of number. This
evidence could be taken as a base in predicting the intensity of domestic and other
slaves in Athens with regard to their ethnic origins, which shows that there were
relatively more Carian slaves in Athens. It is also a fact that the Carians roamed
throughout the whole of Greece, serving on expeditions for pay and that the Greeks
used them in risky and dangerous deeds as worthless slaves or mercenary troops
rather than taking the risk themselves, which even became a common proverb in
Greece throughout the centuries. That proverb is that “if it is necessary, take the risk, yet do it with a Carian”. It is likely that the poverty-stricken Carian lands were
supplying slaves at cheaper prices and larger quantities. Additionally, the Carian
slaves were also used in the building projects of the Athenian Empire during the
late 5th century BC, as in the construction of Erektheion on Acropolis and there
were skilled slave artisans in Athens from Caria like goldsmiths and stone masons,
which is confirmed by the inscriptional evidence. In such inscriptions and in the
playrights of Classical Period, especially the Carian name Karion is prominent,
since it is easily determined due to its Carian connection from a linguistic point of
view. Especially in the comedies, the character of Karion appears to represent a
typical slave role. However, it seems difficult to determine the character of Carian
slaves as a stereotype by taking into account the role of Karion in these plays or
the other relevant evidence
Birincil Dil | Türkçe |
---|---|
Bölüm | Araştırma Makalesi |
Yazarlar | |
Yayımlanma Tarihi | 1 Mayıs 2005 |
Yayımlandığı Sayı | Yıl 2005 Sayı: 11 |