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Yes, that might be true, but those countries does not go under my definition of civilized (and by this, I do NOT mean that all Muslin countries are not civilized - just had to make that clear).

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A slave by definition had no honor or dignity. The essence of being a slave was the inability to protect one's body. While every citizen had the right to trial and appeal before they suffered physical punishment, a slave was defined by the absence of such a right and expectation. An owner could beat and abuse slaves (and it could not legally be considered assault) and compel sex from slaves of either sex (and it could not be considered rape). [Romans did not deal well with the notion that female citizens slept with male slaves, however.] If someone had sex with a slave without the owner's permission, however, the owner could sue that person for trespass.

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Forgive me. What I was trying to say is: a country where one human can be legally owned by another human does not go under my definition as civilized.

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If someone had sex with a slave without the owner's permission, however, the owner could sue that person for trespass.

I can see this speaks to many, and I appreciate that.
It doesn't speak to me for one simple part that is in bold (if I did that right). If someone else were to have sex with me without permission, I certainly would consider it a crime against me.

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ORIGINAL: FukinTroll

Honor and dignity are subjective here just like everywhere. Many view suicide as dishonorable and undignified, nevertheless one of the most complex and rigid honor systems in our world held suicide as the utmost honorable act one could do.

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ORIGINAL: SilkLaceNPearls

All this talk of Rome and slavery reminds me of the HBO TV show entitled "Rome". I just recently got into watching it so I missed the whole 1st season. However, I did watch the last few episodes of this season. Until I found the show "Rome" my TV had not even been turned on since last July as I do not watch a lot of TV. I was at a friend's house one Sunday night and she turned the show on. It intrigued me so I started watching.

In that show, and they are suppose to be staying very true to history, Marc Antony committed suicide when he "thought" Cleopatra had done the same. When Cleopatra brought the children to view his body, she said to them: " This is how nobility dies." Later on she committed suicide herself.

One of the most amusing parts, if you can find death amusing, was when Pullo went to kill Cicero and his slave tried to intervene and Cicero mades some comment about not being a fool. The slave clearly loved his Master and would have died for him.

I also  found to be fascinating was that you could attend orgies to your heart's content but if you cheated on your spouse, you were a whore in the eyes of the citizens of Rome.

Another thing that got my attention was when Octavian told his bride to be, "I will whip you because it brings me sexual pleasure."

All in all it was and is a most interesting show.

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Slavery, bondage, servitude refer to involuntary subjection to another or others.

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I believe that calling ourselves slaves, belittles and demeans what those forced into slavery actually go through in their lives.