What is the term for property managed by a slave?

The term for property managed by a slave is peculium. In ancient Roman culture, peculium referred to a sum of money or other property that was granted by a master to a slave, allowing them to manage it as their own. The significance of peculium lies in how it represented a degree of autonomy for the slave, enabling them to engage in trade or accumulate wealth separately from their master.

This concept also illustrates the complexities of slavery in Roman society, where some slaves could potentially save enough from their managed property to buy their own freedom. The distinction of peculium is vital in understanding the legal and social dynamics in Rome, as it highlighted the varying degrees of control and independence that slaves could experience under different circumstances.