artisan-slaves

Updated: July 20, 2025

These bodies of craftsmen must have been of great importance in early times for the urban life of Rome and for its position towards the Latin land an importance not to be measured by the depressed condition of Roman handicraft in later times, when it was injuriously affected by the multitude of artisan-slaves working for their master or on his account, and by the increased import of articles of luxury.

Theodor Mommsen - The History of Rome, Book I : The Period Anterior to the Abolition of the Monarchy

These bodies of craftsmen must have been of great importance in early times for the urban life of Rome and for its position towards the Latin land an importance not to be measured by the depressed condition of Roman handicraft in later times, when it was injuriously affected by the multitude of artisan-slaves working for their master or on his account, and by the increased import of articles of luxury.

Theodor Mommsen - The History of Rome (Volumes 1-5)