his courtiers (in effect slaves)
Courtiers were not slaves. A courtier was anyone in attendance at the court of a king or other royal personage. A courier could be a nobleman or woman or anyone with a trade. Secretaries, carpenters, dressmakers, etc. Being a courtier, one had the potential of having a very lucrative stepping stone to better things. Courtiers were quickly promoted and, really, the sky was the limit for someone of ambition. The court was frequently the center of government, as well as being the royal residence, so opportunities were in abundance.