British museum Quote by George Orwell
““When I think of antiquity, the detail that frightens me is that those hundreds of millions of slaves on whose backs civilization rested generation after generation have left behind them no record whatever. We do not even know their names. In the whole of Greek and Roman history, how many slaves' names are known to you? I can think of two, or possibly three. One is Spartacus and the other is Epictetus. Also, in the Roman room at the British Museum there is a glass jar with the maker's name inscribed on the bottom, 'FELIX FECIT'. I have a mental picture of poor Felix (a Gaul with red hair and a metal collar round his neck), but in fact he may not have been a slave; so there are only two slaves whose names I definitely know, and probably few people can remember more. The rest have gone down into utter silence.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview, 1945, The Observer
The quote highlights how history silences the vast majority of enslaved people, leaving only a few names known, which underscores the erasure of their lives and contributions.
In simple terms: Most enslaved people are forgotten; only a few names survive.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and research the hidden histories of the oppressed.
Themes
history
memory
injustice
recognition
Mood
somber
reflective
thoughtful
Type
historical
critical
educational
When to use this quote
- education curricula
- museum exhibits
- academic research
- public memorials
Key Concepts
slavery
historical erasure
archaeology
social justice
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we uncover the stories of unnamed slaves?
- What responsibilities do we have to remember them?
A Different Perspective
The focus on a few famous slaves may overlook broader systemic oppression.
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