Serfdom: Understanding the Origin and Definition

Understanding the Origin of Serfdom

Serfdom originated at the end of the Roman Empire with coloni, who can best be described as common people legally bound to remain on the land where their ancestors worked (option C). The coloni were part of the Roman Empire's agricultural system, where poor farmers increasingly found it difficult to maintain their lands due to competition with large estates and extortion from the wealthy landowners. As the social and legal status of these farmers deteriorated, they became serfs, tied to the land without the freedom to leave, and at the mercy of the landowners.

The Distinction of Serfdom from Other Labor Systems

While serfdom shares some aspects with sharecropping and the plight of lower-class plebeians, it is distinct in that serfs were not slaves who could be bought or sold, yet they were not entirely free as they were legally bound to the land they worked on. This system continued through different societies and periods until it was largely abolished in the 19th century.