In the last times of Roman empirewhen the society was going through his final crisis, the slave system – production mode characteristic of Roman empire- went into crisis. Gradually a new type of production ratio: the Colonate. It is interesting to learn about this particular form of production, which shows characteristics that are linked to the feudal system which would begin a few centuries later.
In the Bass Roman empire the crisis of the Roman slave system It was already beginning to manifest itself quite clearly. Within the framework of a complex network of relationships, the economic crisis prompted the development of new forms of work and production.
The slave system it was unprofitable for the owners of slavesand the maintenance of the workers was a heavy burden, which motivated the owner to release many of them, passing them to the status of colonistsunder the link colonate.
The colonato took place inside a large estate, a large agricultural property. It consisted in the owner delivered to settler A portion of Earth, and those elements necessary for agricultural work. The owner allowed a part of the harvest to remain for the subsistence of the rural worker and his family.
In return, the settler was forced to pay heavily tributes to the owner of the lands. Thus, the landowner (the owner of the land) increased his profits, without having major expenses.
to the system of colonate were also incorporated farmers free . Overwhelmed by the terrible weight of imperial taxes, they preferred to become dependent on a latifundist owner. What he would take from them would be less than the tax that the roman state demanded.
within these landthere were also other workers who were artisans who produced what was necessary for all the inhabitants of the large estate. The large properties then had the capacity to be self-sufficient, separating themselves from commercial circuits.
These owners they gradually acquired greater independence from state control, a kind of sovereign who ruled within their lands, over their colonists and its slaves. They thus managed to prevent the imperial officials from collecting taxes on those estates.
Sources:
Study Notebooks. Social Sciences 1. at http://www.encuentro.gov.ar/nota-1156-Area-de-Ciencias-Sociales-.html
WICKHAM, Chris “The transition in the West” in AA.VV. Transitions from antiquity to feudalism. FIM Madrid.1998.
Image:
mosaic of roman settlers in hunting job, in Google