Citizen or Slave?

Roma! We are a beacon of civilization, a shining city-state on seven hills, and a marvel of the ancient world. Our aqueducts are not just for water; they symbolize the flow of progress and human thought. And yet, in the midst of our grandeur, we find ourselves at the crossroads of a deeply disturbing question: "Citizen or Slave?"

This weekend, the Senate has convened to discuss this very topic, to dissect and decide the fate of thousands, perhaps millions, within our Empire. And isn't it just heartwarming that a room full of wealthy men, comfortably perched on their ivory benches, are determining the identities of the marginalized? Give me a moment while I fetch a handkerchief. My eyes are welling up with democratic tears.

Let's get real, folks. It's time for us Romans to step down from our lustrous marble pedestals and face the not-so-pretty mosaic of reality. The profound dichotomy between citizens and slaves is a searing truth we must confront. We proudly speak of panem et circenses, yet we overlook the hands that bake our bread and stage the spectacles.

Did not Jupiter, our mightiest god, create all men equal? Then why does our society insist on segregating people based on circumstances of birth or unfortunate turns of fate? Our laws, supposedly a reflection of divine will, ironically perpetuate this inequality. It's almost as though some folks have been reading the scrolls upside down.

Honorable Romans, the brilliance of our empire is not in our grand Colosseum or flamboyant chariot races. It lies in the diversity of our people - the Gauls, Greeks, Jews, and many others who interweave their own vibrant threads into the rich tapestry of our Roman culture.

We cannot truly call ourselves a Republic until every individual, regardless of their origin or status, is recognized as a citizen. It's time we lived up to our own hype.

So, in the spirit of the Forum and free speech, let's break the silence, shatter the chains, and give a voice to the voiceless. It's time to replace the question "Citizen or Slave?" with a more progressive proclamation: "All are Citizens!"

For Roma is not just for Romans, it's for us all.

---

Gossipia Gladiatrix is a progressive journalist based in Rome. She advocates for change, inclusivity, and foreign influences. This piece is part of her ongoing series "Voices of the Underrepresented."