CLA233H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Roman Economy
Document Summary
Most people were poor, nobody was thinking of investment but rather live through winter. Rich are hoping for enough money so that they don"t look bad in senate. Roman society is intensely hierarchical, what people do with their small surplus is what they want to achieve in their competeitive society. Olfer men would herd larger animals, smaller ones for younger boys, even girls would help tend the animals: cattle require protection, chickens don"t. Animals who pasture far away from the farm require protection from armed bands of robbers, a cow is extremely valuable in a dirt poor community. Also would require protection from certain predators like wolves and bears (used to be lions) No problem with exploiting child labor, as soon as they can eat they start working: assumed that whole community is in production of farming, it is difficult back in the day witouth machinery or fertilizer.