History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Volume 1 - Chapter II Part 2

In which the gradual extension of Roman citizenship and the diffusion of Latin language and institutions unite diverse peoples into a cohesive empire, while distinct cultural divisions persist, notably between the Latin West and the Greek East. The harsh realities of slavery, tempered by evolving legal protections and the prospect of manumission, reflect both the rigours and mitigations of servitude underlying the vast and populous Roman society.