What are some crimes in classical era civilization (ie, ancient Rome, Greece, etc) that would result in a death penalty for a slave but a lesser punishment, such as a fine, for someone of status?

by bobthereddituser

I'm a writer who recently stumbled across an idea for an opening to book I've been working on for a while. I would like to use a slave being executed for a crime to evoke the culture and was hoping to get some ideas from history.

Can anyone point out some good examples or places where a relative beginner to history could learn about this?

Thanks in advance!

chargabar

I have one example! In Roman society it was thought that corporal punishment was considered more appropriate for the lower classes.

One source that shows the differences in punishments is Paulus (Opinions 5.22.1-2) 'People who plot sedition and riot or who stir up the masses are, according to the nature of their social rank, either crucified, or thrown to wild animals, or exiled to an island. Those who dig up or plough up boundary markers, or who cut boundary trees: (1) if they are slaves acting on their own they are condemned to the mines; (2) if they are humiliores, they are sentenced to work on public construction projects; (3) if they are honestiores, they are fined one-third of their property and expelled to an island or driven into exile. honestiores = members of the senatorial and equestrian orders, local official and army officers. humiliores = free citizens