Question

How was the Roman empire dependent on slavery

Answer 1

Besides manual labor, slaves performed many domestic services, and might be employed at highly skilled jobs and professions.  Accountants and physicians were often slaves.  Slaves of Greek origin particular might be highly educated.

Answer 2

Slavery in ancient Rome played an important role in society and the economy. Besides manual labour, slaves performed many domestic services, and might be employed at highly skilled jobs and professions. Accountants and physicians were often slaves. Slaves of Greek origin in particular might be highly educated. Unskilled slaves, or those sentenced to slavery as punishment, worked on farms, in mines, and at mills: their living conditions were brutal, and their lives short.