A Slave's Simple Problem
Before
living in Rome, Eugenia thought the slavery system only received its supply
from selling children (like she once was) and by being born into it. She would
have never imagined captives from war being the primary source; perhaps, she had
lived a sheltered life from that part of Greece.
Of course, the only reason Eugenia
knew of this was because she had heard Master Decimus Sergia Silus speaking to
one of the senators late one night in his office about the latest economic
achievements of Julius Caesar. The last time she had overhead them talking
about the battles, left a pit in her stomach. She did not like to hear about
the great city of Rome internally fighting. But, that was another story.
She was not pleased with how she had
obtained this information, as she liked to think herself a person of morals,
but the instant the master mentioned her name she could not resist:
“Now that I can
afford my own and not have to rely on the ones my father left in his will,
Eugenia will not be my only slave soon enough. I will come out of my father’s
shadow yet and make a name for myself in the political world…just you wait.”
“Yes, I believe
Caesar’s conquests will benefit all of Rome. It feels like almost each new day
brings in an influx of captives for the slave market. However, as you may well
know, the newest merchandise will go up for sale in a few days’ time. Will you
be ready?”
Eugenia had continued walking back to
her quarters at this point, pondering on what she had overheard. A part of her
felt sad for those people who were captured and would not be able to return to
their families; yet, the other part of her, the more recent Roman mindset,
realized the profit that would come of it. There would be more trade, more
currency, and more business, which meant a boom in the economy. Naturally, this
was of no importance to her as a slave.
However, what did affect her was the potential
of more slaves entering into the estate. Would this change her position in the household,
she thought. She would hope her favoritism with the mistress would prevent anything
from happening to her, especially if it meant leaving Appius Sergia Silus. She
could not imagine leaving the child’s side just yet. Her love for him was too
great.
