Slavery and Rebellion in Second Century Bc Sicily: From Bellum Servile to Sicilia Capta

The book explores the two Sicilian Slave Wars of the second century BC as collective responses to socio-economic and political difficulties, using evidence from coins and slingshots, slave owner stories, and comparisons with other slave revolts.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 31 December 2023
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

This is the first book dedicated to the events known as the two Sicilian Slave Wars, which took place in the second century BC. These revolts are widely considered to be among the largest slave revolts in world history and hold significant importance in the history of Roman slavery. In this book, the author argues that these events should be viewed as collective responses to the socio-economic and political challenges posed by the Roman-backed status quo on Sicily rather than mere slave revolts. The book is structured around three pillars:
1. A close examination of the evidence left behind by the rebels, consisting primarily of a small collection of coins and slingshots, to gain insight into their perspective on the conflict.
2. An analysis of the stories told by ancient slave owners about the wars, focusing on how they utilized and developed pre-existing narratives.
3. A comparison of the Sicilian Slave Wars with better-documented slave revolts in the USA, Brazil, and the Caribbean, to draw broader conclusions about slave resistance and its historical context.

Through these three approaches, the book aims to provide a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the two Sicilian Slave Wars and their place in the broader history of slavery and resistance. It sheds light on the complex factors that contributed to these revolts and offers valuable insights into the experiences and perspectives of the enslaved individuals who took part in them.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399515733