They wrote many chapters, often with their own blood, of Ancient Roman history. Meanwhile it should be said that the lives of these people themselves remained unknown. Based on what we know today, Rome had the greatest number of slaves ever, constituting at least 10% of the total population of the Empire and probably more.

In large cities slaves accounted for some 30% of residents, thanks to their presence in all the key sectors of the economy and state administration. These women and men are the key players of the exhibition “Spartacus. Slaves and masters in Rome,” through Sept.17 at the Ara Pacis Museum.