The History of Slavery in the Empire

Slavery is a practice that once drove the economic engine of the Amuran Empire. During the earliest days of conquest, especially vicious tribes and hostile foes were not accorded a reasonable peace once conquered. They were inevitably taken in shackles and transported to lands far and wide. This had the double effect of providing very cheap labour to major projects such as the initial Trade Way roads, mines, quarries, and harbours, and scattering particularly capable opponents to the winds. Numerous once proud peoples have been effectively destroyed, and while their bloodlines live on all recognition of their own culture or history is lost (though not to Imperial records).
Despite the major political and economic benefits of slavery, the Ordo Sancti struggled to justify it as the will of the Gods. While Junil might demand and expect order, Amatheone and Salvita often expressed displeasure through poor harvests and weak animal breeding. The high priests of the Ordo Sancti were the first to begin teaching about the place of all peoples as citizens in the Empire. Cynically this often pacified slaves as it gave them hope of a future where they or their children would be free, but in truth it sparked a slow revolution that eventually burned through every Province and land of the Amurans during the 4th and 5th centuries.
Over the following years the evils of slavery spurred several great rebellions. The fierce hill tribes of Cantiberia were the first to rise up, temporarily taking control of their lands and slaughtering numerous Amurans. Though crushed in a severe retribution, it heralded a new era in the Empire. From now on the opulent estates of slave owners became fortified and harsh places. Slaves were no longer trusted and major effort was made to ensure production and stability reigned. Ill treatment and a caged existence became the norm. Despite this several more slave uprisings broke out and while none were successful, every one earned back a measure of the blood taken from the slaves themselves over the years.
In the year 466 AE an especially influential high cleric of Sirona began to work with likeminded priests of Amatheone, Salvita, and Luxanar. This cleric, Jureon, also recruited a large number of wizards to his cause. He taught them how to create a new type of magical item, Sending Stones. Crafted in pairs, they allowed the holders to share short messages telepathically no matter the distance. Using his dispersed network of conspiratorial members of the Ordo, Sending Stones were distributed across the Empire. One stone would remain with Jureon and his cadre of confidants whereas its match was given to leaders among the slaves.
Eventually Jureon was able to communicate with every large group of slaves in the Empire. His plan was reaching its culmination, and in 472 AE he communicated a simple message to each of these dispersed groups: rise up, take your masters and their guards captive, and await for news from your brethren. Sure enough virtually every major group of slaves surged forth in the following days. Coordinated by Jureon and his followers, the slaves were acting in unison and came together to form coherent armies and credible threats to even the Legions.
After several major clashes, more than half of which the Empire lost, and the outright destruction of 5 whole Legions, the slaves laid siege to Amura herself. Due to the vast sprawling slums outside the main walls, the siege was an utter mess of atrocities and street fighting. Eventually a huge fire broke out that laid waste to the whole outer city, killing countless thousands. Jureon took this moment to unite the whole Ordo Sancti behind his calls for an immediate peace and an end to the warfare. He led a huge delegation of priests to the city gates and met with the leaders of the slave army.
It was at this time that he revealed himself to be their secret ally, the one who masterminded this great uprising. Now trusted by most of the slaves, Jureon turned back and demanded the Senate meet to hear his words. Sufficiently cowed by the existential threat to their lives, the Senators all showed to this incredible meeting. Jureon spoke at great lengths, showering all in attendance with his wisdom and philosophy and his foresight; to continue down this path of slavery would be the end of the Empire, far sooner than it ever must happen, as the hubris and greed of the rich exploited its population beyond all just degree. Articulating a new vision of the Empire, Jureon forced the Senate to ratify his great plan of renewal. The sitting Emperor Neposius, watching the proceedings from the private balcony reserved to him, demanded an end to this supposed farce and for Jureon to be arrested.
Much to Neposius' eternal chagrin the Praetorian Vigiles weighed their options and found his orders wanting. Not wanting to face a spurned and wrathful army of armed slaves, their Legate personally chained the Emperor. Under command of the Senate, Emperor Neposius was imprisoned and deposed, soon forgotten by all and exiled to a small villa in the hinterlands of Tungri. In his place the obvious choice was made and Jureon himself was raised to the purple, donning the mantle of authority over the Provinces.
Within the month all slaves had been officially emancipated and freed. The massive social upheaval of this act was felt for the next hundred years, causing major strife for a long time. Once the influx of new citizens had stabilized, the economy recovered, and the fabric of society repaired, none doubted the wisdom of Jureon. The potential of these once enslaved people was unleashed and a new torrent of growth, discovery, and empowerment drove the Empire forward into the 500s and their greatest military victory of all; the conquering of the mighty dwarf clans of the Ashlum Mountains.