Slaves Wore Plaques as Punishment
In ancient Rome, slaves who attempted to escape or displayed misconduct were often punished by being forced to wear a “furca” or a plaque around their necks. This plaque, called a “titulus,” would typically bear inscriptions detailing the slave’s name, offense, and contact information for their owner, effectively serving as a form of public humiliation and deterrence against further disobedience.
These plaques not only signified the slave’s status but also made their capture and return easier if they attempted to escape again, reinforcing the control exerted by slave owners.
