Most of human history contains education on the idea of prisoners, and prisoners of war. Moving Forward, depending on the culture of the victors, or the capture's culture, the losing side's combatants, who surrendered, where taken as prisoners and would expect to be slaughtered or enslaved. Homer's ancient Greek poem of battle describes that sometimes soldiers, who were going to be help captive, would offer major rewards of wealth in exchange for mercy. Yet, most of the time those offers were not accepted. Typically, during this era, minimal distinction was made between enemy combatants, and enemy civilians, so usually both were taken as prisoners except for the women and children because they would not participate in battle. If women and children were taken this practice was called raptio; basically, it is the Rape of the Sabines, where women and children would be beaten and raped to prove power.
Event:
Later in the fourth century AD, the bishop Acacius, was the bishop of Amida. Persian prisoners were being held captive in his town under severe conditions with a lifetime of slavery ahead of them. The bishop could not bare to see it as the right thing to do, so in exchange for his church's silver and gold, the prisoners would be freed to go back to their country. The town allowed it and the act of the Bishop was viewed as exceptionally great, for he took a stand against his people to save the enemy.
Event:
Later in the fourth century AD, the bishop Acacius, was the bishop of Amida. Persian prisoners were being held captive in his town under severe conditions with a lifetime of slavery ahead of them. The bishop could not bare to see it as the right thing to do, so in exchange for his church's silver and gold, the prisoners would be freed to go back to their country. The town allowed it and the act of the Bishop was viewed as exceptionally great, for he took a stand against his people to save the enemy.