The article shows, using iconographic examples, the methodological difficulties of identifying slaves in ancient works of Art, but also the possibilities for additional information on literary sources. Often are necessary additional inscriptions or written sources to define accurately the legal status of the persons represented. But the monuments offer, so subtle, other kind of information on the master-slave relationship and on the self-understanding of masters and slaves. Some of the works of Art offer the perspectives of slaves, that in the written sources are very rare.
iconography; slave trade; captivity; self-representation; Ancient slavery
