Could Rome have risen to power without slavery.

The slaves in the Roman Empire were needed for farming. They were treated well at first but when the farms grew then their master became crueler. The slaves were not given much food and they were given only a few articles of clothing (Cato the Elder, Agriculture, chs. 56-59: Internet Source Book). Even though the slaves were treated poorly the Roman Empire couldn't have functioned without them. Rome rose to power because of the help of slaves.

A slave who is good would help out his master. He should help with his masters business. Slaves who don’t obey their masters would be flogged. Slaves that do a good job will be rewarded by their masters Slaves were often hungry and not well taken care of (Plautus, Menaechmi, Act V, Sc. 4: Internet Source Book). The slaves were need for the development of the empire. They helped to harvest crops that the land owners couldn’t have harvested on their own. They were also house keepers and shepherds. The food that the slaves were given wasn’t the best but they survived Cato the Elder, Agriculture, chs. 56-59: Internet Source Book). The slaved were the backbone of the Roman agricultural system and were much need to develop the empire.

The slaves often revolted because of the constant oppression. The last large slave revolt occurred when 200 slaves tried to escape. Spartacus led these slaves through Italy. They were trained gladiators and stool many weapons to protect themselves. Many of his men were killed in their battles. Spartacus himself was finally killed. This rebellion showed how dangerous the slaves where. This was especially true for those who were trained to be gladiators. The Roman Empire would not let go of slavery despite the danger ( Plutarch, Life of Crassus, viii-xi: Internet Source Book). They were an important part of the economy and Rome couldn’t function without them.

The slaves revolted many more times and in the Roman empire. The slaves were “treated them with a heavy hand in their service, and granted them the most meager care, the bare minimum for food and clothing. As a result most of them made their livelihood by brigandage, and there was bloodshed everywhere, since the brigands were like scattered bands of soldiers” (Diodorus Siculus, Books 34/35. 2. 1-48: Internet Source Book). The slaves revolted after the Carthaginian collapse and this quote describes part of what happened there. The slaves were tired of being used to work so they revolted against their owners. The government of sacred of punishing these slaves because of the power held by their owners (Diodorus Siculus, Books 34/35. 2. 1-48: Internet Source Book). This shows that the slaves were not always helpful for the empire and often hindered its progress.

Slaves were often punished for revolting. They were beaten and battered by their owners. There were sometimes beaten beyond recognition. They were thought to deserve this for their frequent results. The slaves had to endure many hardships to serve the empire and often paid a great price to do so (Diodorus Siculus, Books 34/35. 2. 1-48: Internet Source Book). At one time the slaves revolted and “they brought together four hundred of their fellow slaves and, having armed themselves in such ways as opportunity permitted, they fell upon the city of Enna, with Eunus at their head and working his miracle of the flames of fire for their benefit. When they found their way into the houses they shed much blood, sparing not even suckling babes” (Diodorus Siculus, Books 34/35. 2. 1-48: Internet Source Book).The slaves were very destructive when they revolted.

The use of slavery helped to develop the Roman Empire. They raised crops, herded animals and helped out their owners. They were often mistreated and rebelled. Their rebellions cost many lives and often through towns into chaos. Without slaves the empire could have developed to be as prosperous as it was. This development cost the freedom of many people. Slavery was both helpful and harmful to Rome. The helpfulness out ways the cost of slavery and helped the empire to rise to power.

Sources:

Ancient History Sourcebook:Slavery in the Roman Republic. Plutarch, Life of Crassus, Viii-xi. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/slavery-romrep1.html.

Ancient History Sourcebook:Slavery in the Roman Republic. Cato the Elder, Agriculture, chs. 56-59. 25 Mar. 2010. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/slavery-romrep1.html.

Ancient History Sourcebook:Slavery in the Roman Republic. Plautus, Menaechmi, Act V, Sc. 4.
25 Mar. 2010. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/slavery-romrep1.html.

Sources for the Three Slave Revolts. Diodorus Siculus, Library. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/3slaverevolttexts.htm.