Ok, this is a reformulation of a previous post, that I had to delete because I couldn't change the title.
The main question here is, did the slaves have a minimal law status that protected them against the most vicious practices?
For example, were the slaves owners allowed to organise spectacles where two of their slaves fought to death? In case of being allowed, was it common? And more examples like that could be considered.
And going a bit further, is there any documented case of a slave owner that treated in a more "humanely" way to their slaves (fed them well, worried about their health, etc.)? Even with a selfish goal (making them more productive, for example).
Edit: u/AncientHistory sorry about the previous mistake, I would like if you consider this post better that the previous one. Anyways, thank you for your advices!
Enslaved persons had some theoretical protections under the law, but they were at best minimal, and in practice barely even those were enforced in a way that could be considered 'protecting'. I have a few previous answers which touch on aspects of this, including here, and especially this one which is part of a larger answer. I'd also point to this one which is more about the concept of "nice" enslavers and how it is an oxymoron.