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Thread: I Was A Slave - One man's tale set in the mists of antiquity [Updated: 18/01/2014]

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    McScottish's Avatar The Scribbling Scotsman
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    Default I Was A Slave - One man's tale set in the mists of antiquity [Updated: 18/01/2014]

    Proto-Introduction and Disclaimer






    Well, well, well. Here I am again it seems, back in the old Creative Writing section, back with another tale of antiquity. This, however, shall be a tale with a difference, perhaps many more than a single difference, and I shall tell you for why. Allow me to explain.

    Last night I sat through the phenomenal film 12 Years A Slave, if you haven't watched it then I cannot recommend it enough. Having always been both British and a supporter of black rights and equality, I was thrilled that this particular film included both British actors and a British director in Steven Rodney “Steve” McQueen. This got me thinking, obviously, about the plight of the ancients own slaves and their lot in life when it came to..well...their lives. It got me thinking that I would certainly like to see, or in this case, write a tale of my own based around the existence of a slave within the confines and society of the ancient world.

    Now, here comes the disclaimer (and also my opinion that there should be a 'mature' section in the Creative Writing sub-forum), for this specific tale.

    It will be gritty, it will be gory, it will be as close to reality as I can possibly make it. There will be blood, there will be sexual (but not erotic or pornographic) material included within the lines of what I am going to write. There will be cursing and there will be material that I am saying now will likely not be suitable for a younger audience, but that I believe is important if a correct story is to be written here.

    Read here now – I do none of this for shock and awe, I am not that sort of writer, nor do I condone any sort of slavery, exploitation or persecution of anyone. No matter their race, religion, gender, or station in life all of the Gods' children are equal and that is a fact. It is an unfortunate by-product of our current society and modern condition that some people happen to be more 'equal' than others.

    Again, to strongly reiterate, I am not going to write things and post them up to offend any one, any nation, any anything. What I will write is an impression, from my mind, of what I believe to have been true thousands of years ago – but parts of which sadly continue to this very day.

    As a second disclaimer, more for the moderators than anyone, I assure you all that there will be nothing too graphic in any sense of the word – sexual, gory, and so forth – or at least nothing that I am led to believe has not been seen by at least the majority of younger people these days with the internet, violent games and a generally hyper-sexual society on their doorstep.

    Everything I will write I shall think about, and self-censor if needs be. This is my final word, and that is that if you are in any way easily offended then, please, do not read what I have to write and in fact remain away from it. For those of you that like stories with a non-deliberate 'edge' that is set in a cruel and almost inhuman period that most of us adore, read on.

    S'all I have to say before I start writing the actual introduction for the story,

    You have been reading (and hopefully will continue to do so),

    McScottish

  2. #2

    Default Re: I Was A Slave - One man's tale set in the mists of antiquity [Updated: 18/01/2014]

    Wow, I know already this is gonna be a really interesting story. You'll get lots of inspiration from New Zealand, they still keep slaves!

    On a more serious note, I love that you're not going to pretty up the story. Dark matters shouldn't be dressed up for what they're not. If there is gory and sexual matter than likely believe that you have put it there for a reason. So many of us forget about the slaves when it comes to antiquity it's all about the Roman army, phalanxes, Greek city states, satrapies, but not really about the people who in all reality created the various empires with their years of toil and such.

    Cant wait for this to start. I am sure you will do a great job.

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    Magister Militum Flavius Aetius's Avatar δούξ θρᾳκήσιου
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    Default Re: I Was A Slave - One man's tale set in the mists of antiquity [Updated: 18/01/2014]

    This looks pretty good. Although slavery in Ancient Rome actually wasn't that bad... well, compared to other societies at least.

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    McScottish's Avatar The Scribbling Scotsman
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    Default Re: I Was A Slave - One man's tale set in the mists of antiquity [Updated: 18/01/2014]

    Quote Originally Posted by Magister Militum Flavius Aetius View Post
    This looks pretty good. Although slavery in Ancient Rome actually wasn't that bad... well, compared to other societies at least.

    Not sure I ever mentioned Roman slavery Don't think I've actually mentioned a period/era...yet.

    As for not being 'that bad', believe me, it was just as bad as any other society with the only upside being that a slave could possibly earn their freedom in differing ways and even become freedmen with quite a lot of power. Nevertheless they were still used in everything from prostitution to agricultural labour to gladiatorial combatants, none of which are exceptionally nice paths in life.

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    Default Re: I Was A Slave - One man's tale set in the mists of antiquity [Updated: 18/01/2014]

    I thought the title "One man's tale set in the mists of antiquity is give away to what period you are in. Or maybe I am missing something

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    McScottish's Avatar The Scribbling Scotsman
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    Default Re: I Was A Slave - One man's tale set in the mists of antiquity [Updated: 18/01/2014]

    Quote Originally Posted by Merchant of Venice View Post
    I thought the title "One man's tale set in the mists of antiquity is give away to what period you are in. Or maybe I am missing something

    My dear Merchant, 'antiquity' is a large area to cover, personally speaking. It could, in my mind, cover from the Greek Bronze Age to the very end of the Late Roman Empire. I also just chose the picture because I liked the look of it, nothing more.

  7. #7

    Default Re: I Was A Slave - One man's tale set in the mists of antiquity [Updated: 18/01/2014]

    I guess we shall only find out the the premise in time. Interesting subject to write, however.

    12 Years A Slave was a superb film.

    Good luck!

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    Rex Anglorvm's Avatar Wrinkly Wordsmith
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    Default Re: I Was A Slave - One man's tale set in the mists of antiquity [Updated: 18/01/2014]

    As always McScottish you are breaking brave ground here. As you know the lead character in Tale of Rome starts as a slave; but mine was never a gritty story of enslavement, more a tilt of my imaginary hat to the boys own stories of yester-year. Yours I'm sure wil be gritty, dangerous and ever so good to read.

    Anyway get typing!

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