Answer: Slavery was one of the factors that contributed to the decline of the Roman Empire. Here are some ways that slavery affected the empire negatively:
Slavery undermined the economy of the empire. Rome’s economy depended on slaves to till its fields and work as craftsmen, and its military might had traditionally provided a fresh influx of conquered peoples to put to work. But when expansion ground to a halt in the second century, Rome’s supply of slaves and other war treasures began to dry up. As a result, Rome faced a shortage of labour and a decrease in economic growth. The empire also had to deal with inflation, taxation, corruption, and trade disruptions caused by external invasions.
Slavery eroded the social fabric of the empire. Slavery created a huge gap between the rich and the poor in Roman society. The wealthy elite owned large estates and hundreds or thousands of slaves, while the majority of the population lived in poverty and unemployment. The poor were often dependent on the state for bread and circuses, which drained the public treasury and increased discontent. Slavery also reduced the sense of civic duty and patriotism among the free citizens, who felt alienated from the political system and the military service.
Slavery provoked rebellions and revolts among the enslaved people. Slaves were not passive victims of their condition, but often resisted and fought back against their oppressors. There were several slave revolts throughout Roman history, such as the famous uprising led by Spartacus in 73-71 BC, which involved tens of thousands of slaves and threatened Rome itself. Although these revolts were eventually suppressed, they caused significant damage and instability to the empire. They also exposed the vulnerability and cruelty of the slave system.