Antik Dönem Atina Toplumunda Karyalı Köleler

Abstract

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 & #8220; if it is necessary, take the risk, yet do it with a Carian& #8221; . 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.