"Slaves"

It is a matter of debate whether the term "slave" is quite right for those people (criminals,  prisoners of war, or other unfortunates) who were bound to work for somebody without the possibility of leaving. These people were sold and bought, but they were not without legal rights and could own property and marry as they wished. Female foreigners from western Asia who were bound in this way often worked as skilled weavers; others were house servants. Nubians were mercenaries and policemen.


Fragment of a battle scene
This relief is a fragment of a large scene showing the king's military victory over western Asiatic foes. Prisoners of war taken in such conquests were often bought and sold.

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