4 ms·
I do think this is the actual answer. Brutally backbreaking work (literally breaking rocks with simple tools for 12+ hours per day every day), in poor condition
by CydeWeys 3y ago
I do think this is the actual answer. Brutally backbreaking work (literally breaking rocks with simple tools for 12+ hours per day every day), in poor conditions, and constantly inhaling dust that destroys your lungs to the point that you're constantly coughing up black mucus.
Being a rower on a ship was a terrible job too, but at least you had fresh air to breathe.
- tmtvl 3y agoDidn't Rome still use the "eat, shit, and sleep on your seat" system used by the Greeks before them? I don't think rowers had anything that could reasonably be described as "fresh" air.
- CydeWeys 3y agoHonestly don't know. I suspect it entirely hinges on whether we're talking about slaves or not.
- hutzlibu 3y agoI think compared to deep mining shafts, before proper ventilation and smokefree lighting was invented - it definitely can be described as fresh air in comparison, however disgusting the rows were - on the sea is always wind blowing most of it away. But of course it mattered, whether you were on the top row or the lower rows - and where you would sit was also used as further punishment/reward.