Was slavery in classical societies in any way racially motivated? If so, to what extent was this the case?

by CommanderCherry
centurion44

Yes, but never (to my knowledge) to the extent of the slavery most westerners think of today.

For example the Ottomans preferred their janissaries to be white boys. As a result many young boys from the balkans were captured by groups like the Barbary pirates and sold.

Short answer; never like the African Slave trade but yes it wasn't completely foreign a concept.

Idovoodoo

Aristotle thought that certain people were naturally 'slavish' but i don't think he was talking about race. Unless your into etymological debates about the word Slavic.