Going on strike...labor, unions and resistance in the Roman Empire

Historian Sarah E. Bond tells the traditional story of ancient Rome, revealing how ancient labor groups united, communicated, and protested as they helped build the empire. One of the best books of the year according to The New Yorker magazine. Publishers Weekly described it as "a first-class book... a remarkable example of rewriting history." From the commoners who refused to join the Roman army to the bakers who abstained from baking, this book is the first of its kind to explore how Roman workers used strikes, boycotts, riots, and rebellion to make their voices heard and their work recognized. Sarah E. explores... Bond looks at ancient Rome from a new angle to show that the history of labor struggles and collective action goes back thousands of years, revealing a world that is more like our own than we imagine. Workers had long turned to their associations for solidarity and common identity in the Old World. Some of these groups even negotiated contracts, wages, and working conditions in a manner similar to modern labor unions. As the world begins to consider the value—even necessity—of union organizing to protect workers, this book shows that we can learn valuable lessons from ancient workers and from the Roman government's attempts to limit their freedom.