What if there were an abolitionist movement in ancient Rome?
Consider, first, that, among the plebeians, slavery was fairly well frowned upon for the simple logic of 'they took our jobs.' Consider, also, that among the the patricians, manumission was so popular that Augustus had place strict regulations upon who might be freed (no more than 1/3 or 100 of one's slaves, whichever was smaller, and none under the age of 30). Finally, remember that any manumitted slave became a client of their former owner.
While it would certainly take a form very different than the Abolitionism of the Enlightenment, Roman abolitionism could be cast simply as a way to assist the plight of the plebs while expanding the political influence of various patricians.
Consider, first, that, among the plebeians, slavery was fairly well frowned upon for the simple logic of 'they took our jobs.' Consider, also, that among the the patricians, manumission was so popular that Augustus had place strict regulations upon who might be freed (no more than 1/3 or 100 of one's slaves, whichever was smaller, and none under the age of 30). Finally, remember that any manumitted slave became a client of their former owner.
While it would certainly take a form very different than the Abolitionism of the Enlightenment, Roman abolitionism could be cast simply as a way to assist the plight of the plebs while expanding the political influence of various patricians.