51. Servus: How Slavery Made the Roman Empire

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13:00 - 13:45

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Thu, 25 June

51. Servus: How Slavery Made the Roman Empire

Forum

Emma Southon

Becky Wragg Sykes

What did it really take to build the Roman Empire? In this sharply engaging conversation with Rebecca Wragg Sykes, Emma Southon turns the spotlight away from emperors and monuments to the millions of enslaved people who made Rome possible. Behind the grandeur of temples, roads, and arenas lay lives of hardship, resilience, and humanity. From farms and mines to households and theatres, enslaved people were everywhere; yet their voices have long been overlooked. Southon pieces together their stories: moments of suffering and survival, but also of connection, resistance, and hope. Challenging familiar narratives, this is a compelling and thought-provoking look at the hidden foundations of one of history’s greatest empires.