260 The master's dealings with his slaves 



surely the part to be played by the master himself 1 was of fundamental 

 importance: indeed little less so than in the scheme of old Cato. To 

 Columella I am convinced that his recommendations stood for an ideal 

 seldom, if ever, likely to be realized. To say this is not to blame the 

 good man, but rather to hint that his precepts in general must not be 

 taken as evidence of a state of things then normally to be found existing 

 on farms. To express aspirations confesses the shortcomings of 

 achievement. 



To return to our author's precepts. He goes on to tell us of his own 

 way of treating 2 his farm-hands, remarking that he has not regretted 

 his kindness. He talks to a rustic slave (provided he is a decent worker) 

 more often, and more as man to man (familiarius) than he does to a 

 town slave. It relieves the round of their toil. He even exchanges 

 pleasantries with them. He discusses new work-projects with the skilled 

 hands and so tests their abilities: this flatters them, and they are more 

 ready to work on a job on which they have been consulted. There are 

 other points of management on which all prudent masters are agreed, 

 for instance the inspection 3 of the slaves in the lock-up. This is to 

 ascertain whether they are carefully chained, and the chamber thoroughly 

 secured, and whether the steward has chained or released any of them 

 without his master's knowledge. For he must not be permitted to re- 

 lease the chained on his own responsibility. ^^paterfamilias should 

 be all the more particular in his inquiries as to slaves of this class, to 

 see that they are dealt with fairly in matters of clothing and rations, 

 inasmuch as they are under the control 4 of several superiors, stewards 

 foremen and warders. This position exposes them to unfair treatment, 

 and they are ant to be more dangerous through resenting harshness 

 and stinginess. Co a careful master should question them as to whether 

 they are getting 6 their due allowance. He should taste their food and 

 examine their clothes etcJ|He should hear and redress grievances, 

 punish the mutinous, and reward the deserving. Columella then relates 8 

 his own policy in dealing with female slaves. When one of them had 

 reared three or more children she was rewarded: for 3 she was granted a 

 holiday, for 4 she was manumitted. This is only fair, and it is a sub- 

 stantial increment 7 to your property. In general, a landlord is enjoined 

 to observe religious duties, and to inspect the whole estate immediately 



1 In XI i 4 he cites a saying of Cato, male agitur cum domino quern vilicus docet. 



2 l8i 5 . 



8 I 8 1 6 ut ergastuli mancipia recognoscant...etc. In XI i 22 this appears as part of 

 the steward's daily duty. 



4 I 8 17-8 quanta et pluribus subiecti, ut vilicis ut operum magistris ut ergastulariis, 

 magis obnoxii perpetiendis iniuriis, et rursus saevitia atque avaritia laesi magis timendi sunt. 



6 an ex sua constitutione iusta percipiant. sua = the scale allowed by himself as dominus* 



6 I 8 19. 7 multum confert augendo patrimonio. 



