Question

in 301 ce, the emperor diocletian published the edict of maximum prices in an attempt to control inflation. it imposed severe penalties on those who charged more than the maximum prices, but the law could not be enforced and was revoked shortly afterwards. historians could use the chart to conclude...
type of slave | price
male slave between the ages of 16 and 40 | 30,000 denari
female of age above - specified | 25,000 denari
man between 40 and 60 | 25,000 denari
female of age above - specified | 20,000 denari
boy between 6 and 16, the girl of age above - specified | 20,000 denari
man over 60 or under 6 | 15,000 denari
female of age above - specified | 15,000 denari

\\(\circ\\) rome reintroduced slavery
\\(\circ\\) its slave were old, a slave owner may have been able to do less work
\\(\circ\\) male slaves between 16 and 40 did the best work
\\(\circ\\) child slavery was illegal

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option using the price chart (which reflects the value of slaves, likely related to their work capacity):

• Option 1: The chart is about slave prices, not if slavery was reintroduced. Eliminate.
• Option 2: Male slaves (16 - 40) have the highest price (30,000 denari), suggesting they were most valuable for work, so a slave owner would sell one who couldn't work. This fits.
• Option 3: The price shows male 16 - 40 are expensive (maybe more work), but the option says "did the least work"—contradicts. Eliminate.
• Option 4: The chart has prices for child slaves (e.g., boy 6 - 16, man under 6), so child slavery wasn't illegal. Eliminate.

Answer:

B. Its slave owner sold a slave he may have been able to do less work