this post was submitted on 17 Feb 2026
11 points (86.7% liked)

AskHistorians

1262 readers
17 users here now

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
Patnou@lemmy.world
WHARRGARBL@lemmy.world
11
What were some slurs against other races, sexes etc like we do today in Roman times up until now? Like for ex what would be the equivelant of a Spartan calling a Athenian slur. Why type? (lemmy.world)
submitted 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) by Patnou@lemmy.world to c/askhistorians@lemmy.world
8 comments fedilink hide all child comments
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] GandalftheBlack@feddit.org 6 points 2 weeks ago

The Latin word furcifer literally means "yoke-bearer" as a pejorative/slur for slaves. Latin textbooks tend to translate it as scoundrel or something tame like that, so it was probably generalised as an insult.