The Greeks enslaved others even as they founded the world's first democracies. Some Greek philosophers questioned the institution of slavery, but none called for abolition. Slaves were made of war captives, victims of piracy, and the unfortunate family members of those deep in debt. They worked throughout Greek society, from wealthy households and sacred temples to farms and mines.

The life of a slave varied greatly. Slaves in the mines suffered through hard work and terrible conditions, while urban slaves were treated more humanely.

Greek law gave slave owners almost complete power over their slaves, allowing any type of punishment except death. Slaves had no rights in courts of law. A slave could buy his own freedom or receive it as a gift for outstanding service, but an ex-slave could almost never become a Greek citizen. One exception was a slave named Pasion. He spent many years as a trusted slave for a banking firm. Upon his owner's death, he acquired his freedom, his citizenship, and the right to run the bank.