The slave could purchase his liberty with his peculium by agreement with his master.
He allowed the contubernium of male and female slaves at the price of a money payment from their peculium.
This of course presupposes the recognition of the right of the slave to his peculium; and the same is implied in Cicero's statement that a diligent slave could in six years purchase his freedom.
The law also favoured in special cases the security of the peculium, though in general principle it still remained the property of the master.
He was, however, in practice permitted to enjoy and accumulate chance earnings or savings, or a share of what he produced, under the name of peculium.