EconomicsGreeceRome

Many Greeks and Romans were farmers and depended on the fertile Mediterranean soil. They would often pray and make homage to the gods of fertility and celebrate spring festivals. The most popular crops were grapes and olives in much of Italy. While the majority of farmers were free, and owned their own land, others were not so fortunate and lived under the tight fist of a landlord, who might force them to become tenants or laborers. As Rome and Greece developed the capital for commercial farming they also developed the capability for trade. Another class emerged from this: merchants. Merchants imported and exported luxury products for the upper classes. Typically, they exported animal skins, precious metals and exotic African animals in exchange for spices and art. Slavery was another important aspect of Roman and Greek economy. Slaves were often used for household work whoever they were also vital in silver mines where the fueled much of Athenian economy. Slaves were acquired in Rome from new territorial acquisitions. However, the institution of slavery placed a fierce threat on free farmers who could not compete with the prices of free slave labor.