This is the most important chapter. The Vilicus was a slave set over other slaves. The guide advises:
Because Rome had "talking tools," they never invented the steam engine. Why mechanize when a slave costs less than a horse? the roman guide to slave management pdf
We must close by stating the obvious: Rome fell. While the fall was multi-causal (lead poisoning, inflation, barbarian invasions), the reliance on chattel slavery created a technological and social ceiling. This is the most important chapter