There were many slaves in Rome. 1 in 3 people of Rome were slaves and at one point there were more slaves than free men who worked for pay. Slave labor competed with paid labor to determine wages and living conditions of free workmen. Many free laborers became poor due to the lack of work for free laborers. (Burks, 2008) Slave buyers would follow the army during war so they could purchase slaves cheaply, then take them back to Rome and sell them for large profits. (Burks, 2008) The slaves that labored on the farms provided Rome with the food required to live their lavish lifestyles. The slaves worked in factories that products and economy. The slaves brought in the grain and luxury items from all over the world, and “ran the shops that kept
