In the Roman Empire, multitudes became slaves through military conquest or kidnapping.

Those captured were sold and typically never saw their homes or families again. Many slaves were worked to death in the mines, while farm laborers and domestics fared better. A slave might be forced to wear an iron collar with an inscription or a tag promising a reward if after running away he was returned to his owner. Those who tried to escape repeatedly could be branded in the forehead, often with the letter F for fugitivus (fugitive).