Augustine of Hippo : WHY THE SCRIPTURES PRAISE IN THE PATRIARCHS THEIR PROFESSION, SHEPHERDS OF HERDS. — When speaking of the patriarchs, it is made more explicit that they were shepherds from their youth, just as their fathers had been. And rightly so, because no doubt is given the just servitude and the right rule when the cattle serve man and man dominates the cattle. Indeed, in the creation of man, Scripture says: Let us make man in our image and likeness, and have power over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over all the cattle that are upon the earth (Gen. 1:26). Here it is hinted that reason must rule over irrational life. And iniquity or adversity made man a servant of man. Iniquity, no doubt, according to the words of the Scripture: Cursed be Canaan; will be a servant of his brothers (Gen. 9:25). Adversity also, as happened to Joseph, sold by his brothers as a servant to a foreigner. The wars gave rise to the first to whom this name of slaves was given in the Latin language. For the man overcome by another man, who by right of war could have been killed, by pardoning his life, became a servant. They are also called mancipia (slave), because they have been captured by hand. There is also a natural order in men, so that women serve their husbands and children to their fathers. For in this too there is a justification, which is that the weakest reason serves the strongest. There is, therefore, a clear justification and legal right in names, so that those who excel in reason, also excel in the domain. But as in the present world this is disturbed by the iniquity of men or by the diversity of fleshly natures, the righteous endure temporal perversity, since on the day of death they are to obtain the most ordained and everlasting happiness. [ — QUESTIONS ON GENESIS, Q. 152 (tr. J. Litteral, draft)