History: latifundia

The latifundia were enormous farms administered by wealthy landed aristocrats. The latifundia were known for their wide use of slaves. The latifundia resulted in agricultural intensification as the wealthy landowners bought poor peasant farms. The latifundia primarily produced olives, wine, and sheep. Since Rome primarily conscripted military service from landowners, the latifundia resulted in a diminished number of citizens available for military service. The latifundia also served to spawn a new class of landless poor in Rome.