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> The wealthiest [Romans] were land owners taking in the profits of slave labor Not exactly. Crassus amassed his fortune first through conquest, and then thro
by donw 6y ago
> The wealthiest [Romans] were land owners taking in the profits of slave labor
Not exactly.
Crassus amassed his fortune first through conquest, and then through real estate speculation. Caesar and Pompey's fortunes were a mixture of family wealth and the spoils of war.
There was certainly a class of wealthy Romans that derived their wealth -- and Rome's food supply! -- from land worked by slaves (mostly captured in war and brought in from all over Europe). But the wealthiest were, by far, the political-military ruling class, who accrued their wealth through bribes and conquest.
- indigo945 6y agoI mean, you are right, but this is nitpicking and doesn't really relate to my argument. Exploiting slaves and robbing Gallia aren't that far apart, as far as technological sophistication goes.
- TheCoelacanth 6y agoHow do you think conquest made someone wealthy? It was through gaining ownership of land and by capturing slaves.