4º By offering themselves as slaves, or selling themselves. In the former case it has always carefully to be inquired whether such persons become slaves or voluntary servants; the latter is quite possible, and the terminology of our informants not always reliable, as we have seen when speaking of Oceania. When they really become slaves, there are probably open resources. It is then worth inquiring what can be the reason why, while resources are open and so everybody is able to provide for himself, there are people who throw themselves upon the mercy of men of power.
5º Finally, orphans and other helpless persons are sometimes enslaved.
II. The different ways in which people cease to be slaves.
1º Redemption. Here the question presents itself, where slaves, or certain categories of slaves, have a right to be redeemed.[15]
2º Emancipation. Where, and under what social conditions does this custom prevail, and where is it of frequent occurrence? What are the motives that induce the master to set his slave free? Emancipation as a substitute for sacrifice[16]. [[431]]
3º Adoption. Connected with this is the fact, that in some countries slaves sometimes succeed to their masters’ goods[17]. Here we may ask whether or not such adoption and right of inheritance are only found in early stages and have to be regarded as survivals of adoption of aliens.
4º Marriage of a slave with a free person, especially of a female slave with her master.
5º Dedication to a god. Slaves can sometimes become free by devoting themselves to some deity[18]. Further details; power of the priesthood; compare the influence of the church in the Middle Ages.
In whatever way slaves become free, the position of the liberti deserves a separate consideration. Are they on a level with free-born men, or do they form a separate class? Do their descendants gradually become merged in the general population?