Enslavement and Writing in Ancient Rome

This chapter explores the history of enslavement in ancient Rome, highlighting the brutal conditions faced by enslaved individuals and challenging misconceptions about the nature of ancient slavery. It transitions into a detailed discussion about writing practices in the ancient world, dispelling the idea of comfortable settings and emphasizing the physical challenges faced by writers. The chapter also sheds light on the collaborative nature of writing in antiquity and the education of enslaved workers, contrasting it with more recent examples like in the American South.