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Suleiman -> RE: Do you know? (1/15/2005 7:05:08 PM)
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It goes back at least as far as mideaval times. In europe, as far back as the ninth century, it was standard to have a thrall (which is, by the way, the correct term for human chattel. Slave is an ethnic slur, derived from the fact that viking raiders took many people of slavic descent to sell in the irish slave markets) wear a collar that was welded in place, on which would be inscribed "I am so-and-so, son (or daughter) of so-and-so. I belong to so-and-so". The quality and material of the collar typically denoted the value of the thrall, and might also indicate how they were taken. Iron frequently meant a prisoner of war or a person who had been kidnapped, while brass or copper was common for those thralls who has placed themselves into bondage. Silver or gold marked the valuable property of a lord or nobleman, such as a minstrel, tutor, or physician.
In roman times, it was actually supposed to be a leather belt, worn about the waist, on which was engraved the name and address of the slave's owner. For a slave to travel without such identification was a serious crime, for which both the slave, and possibly master, might be punished.
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