where did slavery first originate from?

Answer 1

It's impossible to tell, in all probibility it has always been a facet of society from the dawn of man until even today. Most indian peoples in the America's practiced slavery, typically women slaves, which strongly suggests that other stone-age cultures did similar things. Another strong suggestion of the nearly perpetual existance of slavery is its prescense in nearly every culture in the world.

If you are specifically talking about the Africa slave trade, than the answer is a bit easier to find. African tribes typically captured and enslaved members of other tribes during wars. It took only a small leap for them to begin selling these slaves to Arab, and later Pourtugese traders.

Other European powers also bought slaves from african and arab dealers, and did occaisionally raid the countryside. On an interesting side note, sub-Saharan african slaves were not alone in being sold as chattel in the Arab world. Barbary raiders would kidnap Europeans and sell them in the slave markets of their home ports.

It is highly likely that European and African could have both been sold as chattel in some of the same markets by the same traders.

Answer 2

Where Did Slavery Originate

Answer 3

Slavery is noted as far as any type of written history that is found. The Christian Bible mentions slaves, as do the Pharaohs in Egyptian history. The people of conquered lands were considered spoils of war, and were taken into slavery. Even the primitive people that live in tribes in South America and Africa, practice this policy.

Knowing this, the condition of slavery probably started with the first battle.

Answer 4

The earliest times I have ever heard of slavery was when the Egyptians enslaved the Jews... Moses's time. I'm sure it also happened in wars when an army/village, etc. was taken captive and made to live as slaves.

Answer 5

As scientists find increasing evidence that human life began on the African continent, I'd say Africa.

Slavery is mentioned in the earliest historical documents, and surely existed long before those documents were written.

Answer 6

who knows? the earliest i recall were egyptians using slaves to build their pyramids. however, i use wikipedia to look stuff up like this and get a general idea about it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slave :
An example of slavery is thought to have existed in the walled town of Jericho which was established around 10,000 BCE.

Answer 7

There is no way to actually know which humans were first to enslave other humans.

It is more than likely a very early human concept though. Capture your enemies and make them work for you.

Answer 8

29 characters to work with...... has a great answer. As he stated, it is most likely that slavery existed since prehistory.

29 characters to work with...... has my vote for "Best Answer".

Answer 9

The Greeks were working slaves to death in mines over 5,000 years ago.