: Often faced the harshest conditions, working in large agricultural estates ( latifundia ), mines, or quarries.

While many slaves sought to gain freedom through loyal service, others resisted through sabotage or flight. The most famous instance of large-scale resistance was the Third Servile War (73–71 BCE), led by the gladiator Spartacus, which posed a significant challenge to the Roman Republic.

The life of a slave varied greatly depending on their skills and their master's status: