In a letter written by Seneca, he argues the reasons why slaves should receive humane treatment from their masters. First, Seneca communicates that slaves are people, the same as the masters who purchase them, except the slaves receives a different lot in life than their masters. No slave is an animal and they are not an enemy so they should not be treated as such. Seneca also tells Lucilius in his letter, along with the fact that slaves do not utter a sound in the presence of their masters, not to mention speaking directly to him because of fear can be considered inhumane treatment as well. This treatment by the master leads his slaves to speak behind his masters’ back. Seneca also tells Lucilius, masters allow the slaves to handle their
