I say Christianity, not ecclesiasticism; for the priests and bishops were themselves large proprietors, and as such often persecuted the villeins.

Without the Christianity of the middle ages, the existence of modern society could not be explained, and would not be possible.
The truth of this assertion is shown by the very facts which M.
Laboulaye quotes, although this author inclines to the opposite opinion.
[57] Now, we did not commence to love God and to think of our salvation until after the promulgation of the Gospel.
1.

Slavery among the Romans.--"The Roman slave was, in the eyes of the law, only a thing,--no more than an ox or a horse.

He had neither property, family, nor personality; he was defenceless against his master's cruelty, folly, or cupidity.

'Sell your oxen that are past use,' said Cato, 'sell your calves, your lambs, your wool, your hides, your old ploughs, your old iron, your old slave, and your sick slave, and all that is of no use to you.' When no market could be found for the slaves that were worn out by sickness or old age, they were abandoned to starvation.