Ancient Rome: From Slaveholder to Supreme Emperor - Chapter 13

Ye Tian estimated that a Talentum in Rome, during this period, weighed about 30 kilograms. The two talentum of gold were equivalent to sixty kilograms of gold coins which was equal to 7500 gold coins. For Ye Tian, it really was a great amount of wealth.

He could buy either a bigger estate or a large number of slaves. Slaves were very expensive, especially for powerful and robust warrior slaves  and beautiful female sex slaves.

“Thank you for your hard work, and please convey my thanks to Lady Aurelia for her generosity.”

Ye Tian was pleased, the bright shine of gold reflected in his eyes; he smiled at the middle-aged guard and grabbed a large number of gold coins, putting them in the guard’s hands and said, “I’m glad to see you. This is yours, for your hard work. I’ll take you out for a drink later.”

Ye Tian gave another handful to the guard while talking. Anyway, he was rich and it was necessary to have a better relationship with these officers.

“Lord Satan is really polite. Since your excellency said so, thank you for your generosity. I will look for you to have a drink when I have time.”

A hint of joy flashed in the eyes of the middle-aged officer, and his favor for Ye Tian skyrocketed. Although slaveholders were rich, most of them were very selfish. Today, he encountered such a generous slave owner, and he even wanted to make friends with him. However, he did not hide his desire. He accepted what Ye Tian gave him while the soldiers behind him grew excited.

“By the way, Lord Satan, the slaves behind us are all powerful warriors from Sparta. Although brave, they are difficult to tame and some of the most expensive slaves. They can be trained to become gladiators if you are interested. However, you have to be careful. Although these slaves look like they have been tamed, no one knows what they are thinking. If you open their handcuffs, do not approach them …”

After receiving Ye Tian’s gold, the guard was particularly enthusiastic and even began to warn him.

“Thank you for your reminder!” Ye Tian said with a smile. Sure enough, if he hadn’t given the man some benefits, he would not bother to caution him about his new slaves.

“You’re welcome. By the way, my name is William Nick. I’ll come by for a drink another day. We’re going back.” After chatting a little more, William Nick passed the keys to Ye Tian.

“By the way, the child Crassus of the Brutus family plans to host a gladiatorial event tomorrow. Young Master Caesar wants to invite you to watch, will you come?” William Nick asked as he was leaving.

“I would be honored to!” Ye Tian smiled. He would not miss such a grand feast.

“Okay, I will inform him!” The guard was relieved to hear that and then left.

Brutus’s Crassus?

Ye Tian was slightly lost in thought.

Crassus is one of the three giants of ancient Rome, and the alliance of the three giants was completed by him.

In the three-headed alliance, Pompeii’s military achievements were unparalleled, Caesar’s wisdom was exceptional, and Crassus’s wealth was unmatched! Crassus was well known for his flexible mind and creative ideas.

Roman society regarded merchants as humble villains. Nobles were ashamed to have dealings with businessmen, but Crassus followed the merchants’ behaviors in order to make a fortune. He totally disregarded integrity to engage in slave trade, mineral management, and speculative real estate trading. As a result, he quickly accumulated a large amount of wealth that was rare even among the nobles. He became the first noble who did not rely on corruption or suppression of the people, but became rich by his own hands, which made him stigmatized among the nobles but praised by the commoners.

The scum of the aristocracy, the great man to the poor, Crassus.

What’s more, his method of negotiation was extremely effective. Within a few years, the tyrant Sura, who trusted Crassus deeply, would come to power. If it wasn’t for Crassus’s eagerness for success which consequently led to his death in war, Caesar might be nothing.

Soon, Ye Tian set his sights on the ten Spartan warrior slaves. He found that their attributes were really high, all reaching eighty, even if they only had poor food and clothing.

However, their loyalty towards Ye Tian was a bit horrible; it was below zero, in the negatives! Of course, their hatred was not directed at Ye Tian, but at all Roman slaveholders.

The Spartan’s strength was unquestionable. From young, they were instilled with the mindset that Spartans were noble and the Hilos were lowly creatures. Instructors often insulted and whipped Hilos in front of the children, and even took them to “Kripti” activities to directly kill the Hilo. When a boy reaches twelve years old, he has to join the army. After joining, their lives become even harsher. They slept on straw, were not allowed to wear shoes and could wear only one coat, no matter the season.

Spartans usually had very little food, with the adults encouraging them to steal food outside. If anyone was discovered, he would be beaten because he was not good at stealing. It was said that a teenager had stolen a fox and hid it against his chest and the fox bit him under his clothes. In order not to be found, he remained calm until he was bitten to death without even uttering a word.

After reaching the age of 20, young Spartan men officially became soldiers. They were married at the age of 30, but also have to participate in military training every day. Then they were discharged at the age of 60, though they still serve as reserve soldiers.

Spartan women stayed at home when they were young, but instead of weaving and doing housework all day, they engaged in physical exercise, learning to run, walk, throw discus, and fight.

Spartans believed that only a strong mother can give birth to a strong warrior. Spartan women were brave and strong, and they were not afraid to see their sons get injured or be killed on the battlefield. When a Spartan mother is sending her son to battle, instead of wishing him a safe return, she would give him a shield and say, “Either hold it or lie on it.”

You could imagine how strong and powerful this race was when they had the characteristics of wild beasts.