Biswasabhyatar Adiparba

The history of human civilization is, fundamentally, a history of struggle. At times, humans have battled against the forces of a hostile nature; at others, against wild beasts. Humans are the only species to have fundamentally altered their dietary habits in the very quest for survival. By engaging in collective combat against animals—and progressively refining their tools in the process—they have unveiled new horizons of civilization. The journey from a nomadic existence to an agrarian one, and subsequently to urban civilization, stands as a testament to this history of progress. Yet, as the adage goes, darkness often lurks beneath the lamp! The institution of slavery in ancient Greece and Rome represents just such a dark chapter. The inevitable question arises: "Imperial Rome is replete with triumphal arches—but who, precisely, built them?" This narrative offers an account that seeks to answer precisely that question. This book has been authored in strict accordance with the undergraduate curriculum on the early phases of world civilization prescribed by the universities of West Bengal. Divided into eight chapters, the text is written in a lucid and engaging style. The inclusion of maps, illustrations, and appendices further enriches the volume.