It was from indignation at this state of things, consequent upon the possession of immense landed estates and many slaves, by a few proprietors, that Tiberius Gracchus was stimulated to propose the Agrarian law.t It may be assumed with confidence, that the slave population of Rome, was from an early period, at least equal to that of the freemen ; and as wealth and luxury increased, and it became a mark of rank and condition to have a numerous retinue of slaves, this class much preponderated.
Hence we state, without hesitation, that the Roman aqueducts were built by slaves.
Concerning the manner of applying this labor, it may be conjectured that it was through contractors, for Frontinus, in a passage which refers to the vigilance he was obliged to exercise, in order that the works should be always in order, says he insisted with the contractors as we translate redemtoribus upon the necessity of always having a number of slave-artificers, (servorum opificum,) near the fountains, both within and without the city.J
In a modern English Compend of the History of Rome, published anonymously, but
purporting to be derived from Niebuhr, Wachsmuth, Heeren, and especially Professor Schlosser, of Heidelberg, we find the distinct statement, without reference, however, to any authorities, both that public works were built by contract, and that the laborers were slaves.
" The " undertook no Romans," says this writer, buildings on account of the State, but had them performed by contract with private speculators, in the same way as they farmed out the collection, or rather the proceeds of the public revenues. These contracts