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'''Slavery''' is a legal economic system with involuntary servitude, such that the people held in bondage must work for their owner, and can be bought and sold (see [[slave trade]]).

'''Slavery''' was a legal economic system with involuntary servitude, such that the people held in bondage must work for their owner, and can be bought and sold (see [[slave trade]]).

Legally, the slave has limited rights. For example, it was a crime in the American South to kill or maim a slave, except in self-defense.

Legally, the slave has limited rights. For example, it was a crime in the American South to kill or maim a slave, except in self-defense.

Slavery has its roots deep in humanity's pagan past, in humanity's fallen, self-centered nature.  According to the Bible, God created humankind free, giving them the dignity of choice.  Yet slavery is found earlier than the time of Abraham (about 2,000 B.C.)  In the Garden of Eden, according to the Bible, God gave Adam the blessing of work even before the Fall.  That work became harder after our first parents rebelled against their Creator.<ref>The Holy Bible, Genesis 3:17-19</ref></ref> Heathen nations despised manual labor, and consigned it to slaves<ref>Lorella Rouster, The History of Slavery, ECM Publ, 2011, 1</ref>

Slavery has its roots deep in humanity's pagan past, in humanity's fallen, self-centered nature.  According to the Bible, God created humankind free, giving them the dignity of choice.  Yet slavery is found earlier than the time of Abraham (about 2,000 B.C.)  In the Garden of Eden, according to the Bible, God gave Adam the blessing of work even before the Fall.  That work became harder after our first parents rebelled against their Creator.<ref>The Holy Bible, Genesis 3:17-19</ref></ref> Heathen nations despised manual labor, and consigned it to slaves<ref>Lorella Rouster, The History of Slavery, ECM Publ, 2011, 1</ref>

All early civilizations were built on slave labor—Mesopotamia, Babylon, Eqypt, Greece, Rome, and the big civilizations of Central America.<ref>Rouster, p. 2</ref> Milton Meltzer's book, Slavery, A World History, is filled with pictures of ancient carvings, paintings and other artifacts cleally picturing slavery.<ref>Milton Meltzer, Slavery, a World History</ref> Historian Kenneth Scott LaTourette said, "Slavery was a characteristic feature of the social and economic organization of the ancient world."<ref>LaTourette, A History of the Expansion of Christianity, Vol. I, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI, 1939, 1967, p. 26</ref>

All early civilizations were built on slave labor—Mesopotamia, Babylon, Eqypt, Greece, Rome, and the big civilizations of Central America.<ref>Rouster, p. 2</ref> Milton Meltzer's book, Slavery, A World History, is filled with pictures of ancient carvings, paintings and other artifacts clearly picturing slavery.<ref>Milton Meltzer, Slavery, a World History</ref> Historian Kenneth Scott LaTourette said, "Slavery was a characteristic feature of the social and economic organization of the ancient world."<ref>LaTourette, A History of the Expansion of Christianity, Vol. I, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI, 1939, 1967, p. 26</ref>

In [[Egypt]], the Hebrews were slaves for a time.  "All the slaves were considered the property of the gods and the pharaoh."<ref>Meltzer, p. 32</ref> Technically, slaves in Egypt were prisoners of war and foreigners.  However, the peasant class which did all the manual labor were tied to the land belonging to pharaoh and had a standard of living difficult to distinguish from slavery.<ref>Meltzer, p. 30</ref>  

In [[Egypt]], the Hebrews were slaves for a time.  "All the slaves were considered the property of the gods and the pharaoh."<ref>Meltzer, p. 32</ref> Technically, slaves in Egypt were prisoners of war and foreigners.  However, the peasant class which did all the manual labor were tied to the land belonging to pharaoh and had a standard of living difficult to distinguish from slavery.<ref>Meltzer, p. 30</ref>  

The primary slave market in ancient Greece was on an island in the Aegean sea known as "Delos."  From there slaves were traded and used throughout the Greek city-states. In [[Ancient Greece|ancient Athens]] about 30% of the population consisted of slaves.<ref>[http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_1741501460_4/Ancient_Greece.html Ancient Greece]</ref> "Sumerian society knew two classes: free men and slaves."  Over time, slaves grew in number and provided cheap and abundant labor.<ref>Milton Meltzer, Slavery, a World History, p. 11-12</ref>

The primary slave market in ancient Greece was on the island of Delos in the [[Aegean Sea]].   From there slaves were traded and used throughout the Greek city-states. In [[Ancient Greece|ancient Athens]] about 30% of the population consisted of slaves.<ref>[http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_1741501460_4/Ancient_Greece.html Ancient Greece]</ref> "Sumerian society knew two classes: free men and slaves."  Over time, slaves grew in number and provided cheap and abundant labor.<ref>Milton Meltzer, Slavery, a World History, p. 11-12</ref>

Greek civilization was utterly dependent on slave labor.  Three-fourths of Athens were slaves.  (Athens was the city the Apostle Paul described as "given to idolatry" in Acts 17:16.)

Greek civilization was utterly dependent on slave labor.  Three-fourths of Athens were slaves.  (Athens was the city the Apostle Paul described as "given to idolatry" in Acts 17:16.)

Islam has always expanded primarily though making war (declaring jihad) on its neighbors and forcing people to convert, be executed, or live in slavery in a subservient status to Islam.  The demand for slaves was largely created by wealthy Islamic rulers who required salve women for the large harems to which they were accustomed, as well as soldiers and servants. The trade began in 652 A.D. when Abdallah Ben Said, King of Islamized Egypt, waged jihad on the Sudan, conquered it and imposed on the Sudanic King Khalidurat the treaty called Bakht.  The treaty required annual supply of hundreds of slaves to Said.<ref>http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20120413180645205 University World News, ''Scholars Focus on Arab Trans-Saharan Slave Trade''</ref>

Islam has always expanded primarily though making war (declaring jihad) on its neighbors and forcing people to convert, be executed, or live in slavery in a subservient status to Islam.  The demand for slaves was largely created by wealthy Islamic rulers who required salve women for the large harems to which they were accustomed, as well as soldiers and servants. The trade began in 652 A.D. when Abdallah Ben Said, King of Islamized Egypt, waged jihad on the Sudan, conquered it and imposed on the Sudanic King Khalidurat the treaty called Bakht.  The treaty required annual supply of hundreds of slaves to Said.<ref>http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20120413180645205 University World News, ''Scholars Focus on Arab Trans-Saharan Slave Trade''</ref>

Islam partnered with African kings who were already involved in enslaving captured populations.  Long trains of slaves were sent across the Saharan with slaves marching on foot.  Islam dominated the African slave trade from the 7th to the 15th centuries, and continued on a smaller basis long after that.  It has never stopped in some Muslim lands.   

Islam partnered with African kings who were already involved in enslaving captured populations.  Long trains of slaves were sent across the Saharan Desert with slaves marching on foot.  Islam dominated the African slave trade from the 7th to the 15th centuries, and continued on a smaller basis long after that.  It has never stopped in some Muslim lands.   

Islamic slavery had very high death rates.  It is estimated that 80% died on the long, harsh march through the Sahara.  

Islamic slavery had very high death rates.  It is estimated that 80% died on the long, harsh march through the Sahara.  

Castration of males was a very dominant feature of the Islamic slave trade.  Specific cities in the Sahara were given to this practice as the Islamic caravans passed through.  Such "eunuchs" brought the highest prices, purchased by rich Arab kings and princes as security agents for large harems.  It is estimated that 70 to 90% perished in the ordeal of castration.<ref>http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20120413180645205 University World News, ''Scholars Focus on Arab Trans-Saharan Slave Trade''</ref> Castration centers developed in the Mossi country; Damagaram in Niger; Borno in northeastern Nigeria; Kumasi in Ashantiland now Ghana; Kano, Nigeria (the largest—early British administrators wrote frequently about it); and Baguimi (also spelled Aaghirmi, in Chad Republic & along the Nigerian border—the best known).  Some African kings were already practicing castration of their enemies, but the Islamic slave trade institutionalized it.  This, along with the fact that any children born to slave women were usually killed at birth, is the reason there are few descendants of these slaves and little African diaspora in Arab Islamic lands.<ref>http://forums.eunuch.org/showthread.php?10192-Ottoman-Eunuchs</ref><ref>http://patachu.com/slavery-trans-Saharan-trade/</ref> Some early sources of direct evidence of the Islamic slave trade were al-Yakub, a 9th-century Arab writer; Ibn Battuta, a 12th-century eyewitness; Mansa Museh, 1324, and Leo Africanus, 1494-1554.

Castration was a very dominant feature of the Islamic slave trade.  Specific cities in the Sahara were given to this practice as the Islamic caravans passed through.  Such "eunuchs" brought the highest prices, purchased by rich Arab kings and princes as security agents for large harems.  It is estimated that 70 to 90% perished in the ordeal of castration.<ref>http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20120413180645205 University World News, ''Scholars Focus on Arab Trans-Saharan Slave Trade''</ref> Castration centers developed in the Mossi country; Damagaram in Niger; Borno in northeastern Nigeria; Kumasi in Ashantiland now Ghana; Kano, Nigeria (the largest—early British administrators wrote frequently about it); and Baguimi (also spelled Aaghirmi, in Chad Republic & along the Nigerian border—the best known).  Some African kings were already practicing castration of their enemies, but the Islamic slave trade institutionalized it.  This, along with the fact that any children born to slave women were usually killed at birth, is the reason there are few descendants of these slaves and little African diaspora in Arab Islamic lands.<ref>http://forums.eunuch.org/showthread.php?10192-Ottoman-Eunuchs</ref><ref>http://patachu.com/slavery-trans-Saharan-trade/</ref> Some early sources of direct evidence of the Islamic slave trade were al-Yakub, a 9thcentury Arab writer; Ibn Battuta, a 12th century eyewitness; Mansa Museh, 1324, and Leo Africanus, 1494-1554.

== The Transatlantic Slave Trade ==

== The Transatlantic Slave Trade ==