In Reply to: RE: "Spartacus" 50th anniversary ed. on blu-ray posted by MaxwellP on September 8, 2014 at 05:38:31:
I think context is important. Was the film describing the multi-faceted nature of Crassus' personality within the context of those times....or was it attempting to impose judgement based on the sensibilities of the film makers and audience of 1960 North America?
I say both. But when you broach the subject of sexual inclinations of the citizens of Rome during its Republic era...that opens a large door into what was considered acceptable there and then. But the film's focus was really on how Romans treated their slaves. As property. And the perception is that a slave owner in Rome back then could treat his property any way he/she saw fit. But there would be constraints. Slaves were purchased, sometimes at a considerable sum. This would factor into the equation of what might happen to a slave.
All that noted, I think the subject broaches another consideration. Romans having sex with Romans is one thing. Roman slave owners having sex with slaves.....that is another thing. re: Roman citizens being protected by Roman law. Slaves owned by Romans would not be protected by any law. So, anything goes with them. Rape. Murder. Anything goes.
So just to broach the subject of sex with slaves, as it was in the film, is to describe the visible tip of a rather large ice burg.
-Steve
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Follow Ups
- RE: "Spartacus" 50th anniversary ed. on blu-ray - user510 12:59:27 09/08/14 (0)