It is decades since I read Spartacus. I remember that a Roman was shown around a perfume factory where the work-force were free wage earners. These strange, silent, industrious and diligent men disturbed a slave-owner as well they might.
Slaves labouring at the time traveller Artorius' new blast furnaces are offered:
"Cash and the prospect of manumission..." (p. 88)
- on an unprecedented scale. A Roman general thinks:
"A bit disturbing. Though I couldn't say why, exactly." (ibid.)
We know why. A mass working class is about to enter history centuries ahead of schedule. The general dismisses "...his momentary unease..." (ibid.) because he is delighted at the prospect of increased productivity.
Workers no longer making iron by the old methods can grow more food or make other things. Artorius even envisages:
"'...many works bidding against each other for contracts.'" (p. 90)
A social revolution is under way with unpredictable consequences - although time travellers have some notion of some of the consequences.
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