14/12/2025
This remarkable and poignant artifact from ancient Rome is a slave collar bearing a tag that states, “I have fled, capture me and return me to Zoninus for 1 gold coin.” Likely produced during the 4th or 5th century AD, this tag starkly illustrates the perception of slaves as mere possessions. Although the precise history of the collar is unclear due to its passage through various private collections, it remains one of the rare examples that have survived. Currently housed in a museum, this item conveys a compelling narrative of endurance and the harsh truths of slavery within the Roman Empire.
