Debt Slavery, or Nexum, was a contract giving up the rights of a freedman in order to pay off debt, making him a bond slave, or nexus, to the creditor, or obaeratus, until he worked off his debt. Nexum occurred early in the republic's history, likely due to unequal distribution of land and wealth at the time, and it is believed that there were many variations of the Nexi contract that existed for various cases. Nexus, unlike slaves, could not be killed or sold, but were still often beaten and abused by their masters.
According to the historian, Livy, Debt Slavery was abolished around 326 B.C. due to the abusive treatment of Gaius Publilius, the nexus of Lucius Papirius. The alternate date of 313 B.C. was recorded by Varro.
According to the historian, Livy, Debt Slavery was abolished around 326 B.C. due to the abusive treatment of Gaius Publilius, the nexus of Lucius Papirius. The alternate date of 313 B.C. was recorded by Varro.