I have always wonder why ancient civilizations like Egypt (which was around for about 3000 years), or the Roman Empire (1000 years ) did not develop a industrial revolution, and other modern conveniences that we enjoy. The Egyptians did build pyramids which is a testament to their civilization, but it seems to have halted there, the Romans developed concrete to build with, but there are no 80 floor skyscrapers in the Roman Empire. This has always puzzle me as to why did the ancient world technologically only develop to level not superior to ours. I think that I have a answer, in the book “Antiquity” by Norman F. Cantor it was stated by a German historian Franz Oertel, “A slave economy initially allowed an increase in productivity through augmenting the slave-labor supply, but eventually inhibited an industrial revolution , which would have increased productivity through the invention of new machinery. Roman products remain at a simple level and could be reproduced by handicraft.” In other words, creativity and innovation was stifled because of slave labor in the empire. I am sure that there are other factors to be considered as to why a civilization does not advanced technologically, but here is one answer