Capitalism and real open markets for capital and labour were essential requirements for industrial revolution to take off. Roman Empire had some capitalist feat

Capitalism and real open markets for capital and labour were essential requirements for industrial revolution to take off. Roman Empire had some capitalist features, but most of the economy was run either by the state or oligarchs, and a large proportion as emperor himself. So, even if some invention offered real productivity gains, the stakeholders who had the power were much interested in conserving and increasing their share of the pie instead of growing the pie for everybody.