A CLOSER LOOK Slaves and Manumission The Roman Empire was not merely dependent on slave labor, it was largely built on the backs of slaves. Slavery was a burgeoning enterprise. Estimates suggest that up to half the population of Rome, the Eternal City, were slaves. This is not totally a surprise, for the more territory Rome took over, the more prisoners from all walks of life and social status they took, and the more people were turned into slaves. We must resist the temptation to equate ancient