Very interesting. Not too nice, being a slave. Beatings aside. For example, if your master has given you a wife, and you and she have children, and you gain your freedom, your wife and children are still his -- "and [the servant] shall go out by himself."
Ouch.
This struck me particularly:
<<<Exodus 21:20 *
20 And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished.
21 Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he [is] his money.
(Beating a slave is alright as you do not kill him)>>>
Solon, I believe that means that the master should be punished only if the servant is beaten to death on the spot; but if the servant clings to life for a day or two, there is no punishment.
I was reminded of another interesting Biblical passage. The penalty for causing a pregnant woman to abort is a fine. Unless there is "mischief," which the miscarriage itself isn't -- that is evidently no big deal:
21:22
If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief
follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he
shall pay as the judges determine.
21:23 And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life
(So the miscarriage caused by the man isn't "mischief." It's only worth a fine, according to the Bible.) |
