In ancient Rome, it was common for landowners to exploit prisoners for work in the fields.
As in the rest of Italy, in Sicily the slaves were also subjected to terrible living conditions and increasing harassment.
In 136 BC, Sicily took centre stage in the First Servile War: from Enna the revolt spread to Agrigento, Catania and Morgantina, where the bloodiest episodes occurred.
The clashes were appeased in 132 BC, to be followed by a new revolt only thirty years later.
