In the ancient world, as in the modern world, the primary means of generating revenue was slavery. In premodern times, this was largely abetted by an economic system that made debt, and therefore slavery, an ever-present threat for the lower strata of the population. It could not be otherwise in economies that combined resource scarcity with extreme concentration of wealth. This was certainly the case in the Roman world up to and into the time of the feudal system.
Glad to see you've found time to write again- this is good. Crusades against worldly evils are often needed and called for, but the fallen nature of this world too often gives us a "monkey's paw" sort of outcome. Which in turn create a whole host of other issues, which also in turn require another movement or crusade to fix. Ultimately, it is a conversion of the heart that will win out in the end, from person to person and ultimately to the world.
Glad to see you've found time to write again- this is good. Crusades against worldly evils are often needed and called for, but the fallen nature of this world too often gives us a "monkey's paw" sort of outcome. Which in turn create a whole host of other issues, which also in turn require another movement or crusade to fix. Ultimately, it is a conversion of the heart that will win out in the end, from person to person and ultimately to the world.