But, after weighing with attention every circumstance which could influence the balance, it seems probable that there existed, in the time of Claudius, about twice as many provincials as there were citizens, of either sex, and of every age; and that the slaves were at least equal in number to the free inhabitants of the Roman world.

[611] The total amount of this imperfect calculation would rise to about one hundred and twenty millions of persons; a degree of population which possibly exceeds that of modern Europe, [62] and forms the most numerous society that has ever been united under the same system of government.
[Footnote 611]: According to Robertson, there were twice as many slaves as free citizens .-- G.

Mr.Blair (p.

15) estimates three slaves to one freeman, between the conquest of Greece, B.C.146, and the reign of Alexander Severus, A.D.222, 235.

The proportion was probably larger in Italy than in the provinces .-- M.