In the context of slavery in the Roman Empire, the following statement is the most accurate:
On average, enslaved Romans died young.
Enslaved people in the Roman Empire often faced harsh living conditions and labor, which contributed to a lower life expectancy compared to free citizens. However, the other statements are not entirely accurate in the context of how slavery was practiced in ancient Rome.
- Laws pertaining to enslaved people were varied, and while some emperors did enact laws with the intent to improve their treatment, this was not a consistent trend throughout the Empire.
- Romans did not primarily enslave people based on skin color; instead, enslaved individuals were often captured in warfare, born into slavery, or sold into it due to debt.
- Enslaved Romans could potentially gain their freedom through various means, such as being granted liberty by their masters or through purchasing their freedom.
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