Latifundia

Latifundia refers to large agricultural estates typically found in ancient Rome and other historical contexts. These estates were often owned by wealthy individuals or elites and utilized slave or low-cost labor for production. The focus was usually on cash crops like olives and grapes, which were intended for trade rather than local consumption. As a result, latifundia contributed to social and economic inequalities, as small farmers struggled to compete, leading to land consolidation and a concentration of wealth. The term is still used today to describe similar large-scale landholding systems in various parts of the world.