Abstract
Slavery was part of Roman society. Not only were slaves plentiful, but slavery was an essential component of Rome's economic success in the last few centuries B.C. and the first two centuries A.D. Willem Jongman aims to demonstrate that the reason for this was precisely the prosperity of the Roman economy during this period, and not its less advanced development. In social terms, slavery was mainly practiced in the most advanced sectors of the economy, where labor costs were highest. Despite its reprehensible nature, slavery was a sign of development rather than stagnation.
Willem M. Jongman
Willem M. Jongman is Honorary Professor of Ancient History and Economic and Social History at the University of Groningen (Netherlands). His book The Economy and Society of Pompeii (Amsterdam, 1988) is considered one of the most important on the ancient economy. In his work, he often combines an explicit use of modern social science theory with a critical and sophisticated use of vast empirical (often archaeological) data sets. His current research focuses on the Romans' biological standard of living, on social relations in rural areas using archaeological field surveys, and on Roman labor, including slavery.
