While it’s not impossible that they’re slaves, slaves were a relatively small proportion of laborers in the Roman economy. And even then, most slaves were employed in agriculture, mining, and domestic servitude, not productive urban labor. It’s generally pretty accepted anymore that the Roman economy was a market economy in which wage labor was normal and widespread.
“Day laborer.” Nice euphemism for “slave.”
While it’s not impossible that they’re slaves, slaves were a relatively small proportion of laborers in the Roman economy. And even then, most slaves were employed in agriculture, mining, and domestic servitude, not productive urban labor. It’s generally pretty accepted anymore that the Roman economy was a market economy in which wage labor was normal and widespread.
The entire Roman economy ran on slavery. 1/3 of the population of Rome were slaves. That is a fact. Take off your Romanophile glasses.
Oh, Jesus. Where to begin?
Wait, first, let me ask - is there any evidence at all that would change your mind, or would providing sources be lost on you?