15.9. 9. Several Kinds of Slavery.
Slavery is of two kinds, real and
personal. The real annexes the slave to the land, which Tacitus
makes
[11]
the condition of slaves among the Germans. They were not
employed in the family: a stated tribute of corn, cattle, or other
movables, paid to their master, was the whole of their servitude. And
such a servitude still continues in Hungary, Bohemia, and several parts
of Lower Germany.
Personal slavery consists in domestic services, and relates more to
the master's person.
The worst degree of slavery is when it is at once both real and
personal, as that of the Helotes among the Lacedmonians. They underwent
the fatigues of the field, and suffered all manner of insults at home.
This helotism is contrary to the nature of things. Real slavery is to be
found only among nations remarkable for their simplicity of life:
[12]
all family business being done by the wives and children. Personal
slavery is peculiar to voluptuous nations; luxury requiring the service
of slaves in the house. But helotism joins in the same person the
slavery established by voluptuous nations and that of the most simple.
Footnotes
[11]
"De Moribus Germanorum," 25.
[12]
Tacitus, "De Moribus Germanorum," 20, says the master is not to be
distinguished from the slave by any delicacy of living.
