Chinese History

The Hidden Lives of Slaves in Ancient Qi State

The Hidden Lives of Slaves in Ancient Qi State In the grand narratives of ancient China’s Spring and Autumn and ... Read more

The Hidden Lives of Slaves in Ancient Qi State

In the grand narratives of ancient China’s Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the stories of slaves—those nameless, voiceless figures—are often overlooked. While scholars debate the nature of society back then, few have paused to examine the lives of those at the very bottom. Today, we delve into the shadows of Qi State to uncover the forgotten world of its enslaved people.

Where Did Qi’s Slaves Come From?

Slaves in Qi, like elsewhere in ancient China, came from four main sources:

1. War Captives – The spoils of war.
When Qi’s armies conquered neighboring states like Lai, the defeated were dragged back in chains. The Zhouli (Rites of Zhou) mentions “barbarian slaves”—captives from the south, east, and beyond. These prisoners were put to work as laborers, stable hands, or even household servants.

2. Criminals and Their Families
Break the law? You—and your family—could be enslaved. The Zhouli records how thieves and rebels were forced into servitude, with men sent to hard labor and women to grinding grain or brewing wine.

3. The Slave Market
Slaves were bought and sold like livestock. The Zhouli lists “people” alongside horses and weapons as tradable goods. Some sold themselves into bondage to escape starvation, like the scholar Yue Shifu, who was later freed by the statesman Yanzi.

4. Fallen Nobles
Even aristocrats weren’t safe. When political tides turned, entire noble families could be stripped of status and enslaved. The once-mighty Cui clan, for example, met this fate after a power struggle.

What Work Did Slaves Do?

Slaves in Qi toiled in every corner of society:

– Farming the Fields – Tied to the land, they labored under the sun, their harvests enriching their masters.
– Tending Livestock – “Horse grooms” and “cattle herders” were common slave roles.
– Crafting Weapons and Tools – The state’s iron workshops relied on enslaved blacksmiths.
– Guarding Palaces – Foreign captives, deemed more loyal, were often stationed as royal guards.
– Entertaining the Elite – Musicians, dancers, and jesters—many were slaves forced to amuse their masters.

A Life of Brutality

Slaves were property, not people. They could be:
– Gifted – Like fine silks or jade, they were handed out as rewards.
– Tortured or Killed – A Qi duke once ordered a stable boy dismembered for a horse’s death.
– Buried Alive – Some were sacrificed to accompany their masters into the afterlife.

Resistance and Rare Freedom

Some slaves fought back. They fled, sabotaged work, or even revolted—though few succeeded. A lucky handful gained freedom through:
– Military Service – Winning battles could earn a slave their liberty.
– Ransom – Wealthy patrons sometimes bought their freedom.
– Exceptional Service – A daring act might break their chains.

The Forgotten Voices

The slaves of Qi left no written records—only scattered mentions in texts like the Zhouli and Zuo Zhuan. Yet their labor built the state’s wealth, their suffering hidden beneath the grandeur of dukes and diplomats.

History remembers kings and battles, but it is these silent figures who truly shaped the world they lived in. Their stories, though faint, remind us that even in the shadows of empire, humanity endures.

This exploration relies on classical texts and modern research. If you have insights or corrections, share them—history is a conversation, not a monologue.