ERGASTULUM Meaning and
Definition
-
Ergastulum is a noun that refers to a Roman slaveholding compound or underground dungeon used for the confinement and forced labor of slaves. This term stems from the Latin word "ergastŭlum," derived from "ergo," meaning "to work" and "aeră, aerărum," which refers to a place for keeping captive or imprisoned individuals.
In ancient Rome, the ergastulum was an essential component of a large agricultural estate or villa. These compounds were typically hidden underground or built adjacent to the villa to secure and isolate the slaves from the rest of society. The ergastulum served as a combination of a prison, barracks, and workspace for the enslaved people.
The design of an ergastulum typically featured narrow, cramped cells with insufficient lighting or ventilation to further subjugate and control the slaves. Slaves were kept shackled or chained in these cells, forced to live in inhumane conditions. They were periodically brought out to perform various arduous tasks such as farming, construction, mining, or other manual labor required on the estate. These tasks were often backbreaking and demanded long hours of work.
Ergastulum played a significant role in perpetuating the institution of slavery in ancient Rome. It represented the harsh reality and brutal system of oppression that existed for the enslaved people during that time. The term is now used in historical and archaeological contexts to describe these specific slaveholding facilities within the Roman Empire.
Common Misspellings for ERGASTULUM
- wrgastulum
- srgastulum
- drgastulum
- rrgastulum
- 4rgastulum
- 3rgastulum
- eegastulum
- edgastulum
- efgastulum
- etgastulum
- e5gastulum
- e4gastulum
- erfastulum
- ervastulum
- erbastulum
- erhastulum
- eryastulum
- ertastulum
- ergzstulum
- ergsstulum
Etymology of ERGASTULUM
The word "ergastulum" comes from Latin. It is derived from the word "ergaster", which means slave, and the suffix "-ulum", which denotes a place. Therefore, "ergastulum" literally means "a place for slaves". In ancient Rome, an ergastulum referred to a building or area where slaves, particularly convicted criminals, were kept and made to work. This term is often associated with Roman agricultural estates or plantations.
