Legal Definitions - serva aliena

Definition: Serva aliena is a Latin term that refers to a female slave or servant who is owned by someone else. In Roman law, a serva aliena was considered as property and could be bought, sold, or inherited.

Examples: In ancient Rome, wealthy families often owned several serva aliena who worked as domestic servants, cooks, or even as concubines. These women had no legal rights and were completely dependent on their owners for their livelihood.

Explanation: The examples illustrate how serva aliena was a common practice in ancient Rome, where slavery was an integral part of the economy and society. The term serva aliena highlights the gendered aspect of slavery, where women were often subjected to sexual exploitation and domestic servitude. The concept of serva aliena also shows how the legal system in ancient Rome treated slaves as property rather than human beings with rights and dignity.