CHW 3M – Slavery in Ancient Rome

First, let us set the scene for where we are so far…

• The Roman Republic lasted for 500 years. Expansion was fueled by a dedicated army of legionaries. Conquered territories were often treated well and allowed to maintain their own government or were made citizens. However, many were enslaved and by 100 BC, slaves comprised 30% of the population. Slaves worked the latifundia, or large estates producing olives, grain, fruit and sheep for the cities. Displaced laborers crowded Roman cities and the gap between the wealthy and poor grew.
• Rome’s citizen army was manned by small farmers, a decreasing segment of the population due to the latifundia. Generals began to pay the cities’ unemployed laborers, and professional armies grew with loyalty to their generals. Generals used their armies to gain political power. These stresses along with the Punic Wars, expansion in the Mediterranean, and slave revolts weakened the Republic and strained its resources.
• Now we will watch a video clip looking at one important figure who led a slave revolt against Rome – Spartacus. While watching, it is important to think about the consequences that occured from this rebellion and how it affected both the wealthy and the lower classes.

Now I want you to take a look at the handout I have provided. You will examine some of the evidence that class struggle was a constant in Rome and led to internal conflict. Please do the following:

• Think back to Roman for a Day – you experienced what it was like to be a citizen of Rome. It is evident that not everyone is equal in society, and even those who try to stand up for the poor like the Gracchus brothers are brutally murdered (for further reference read the paragraphs on them in your textbooks – p. 176). As well, there are a growing number of slaves who are treated poorly in the Republic and could one day revolt.
• Read the snippets from Resisting Slavery in Rome.
• Write a one page response looking at the consequences that class differences/struggles and fear of the lower classes had on Rome, ultimately playing a role in the fall of the Republic. We will spend the rest of the class working on this.