Chapter 6

Hierarchies were a big part of these empires, and even though there were some rulers that tried to close the gaps between the higher and lower classes, it was impossible to do. Unfortunately the separation of the higher class and the lower class in the economic aspect caused a lot of discrimination among the lower class society pushing people (mainly poor) to survive by becoming robbers or bandits. But hierarchies were not just based on the economy, but also based on the birth order and social groups. But what bothered me the most was that women were always considered as lower ranked in society. Women had to be under the submission of their fathers, or husbands or sons, and were commonly kidnapped and used as slaves. In most cases women were secluded and the freedom or equality given to them was very structured and with limitations.

Slavery was seen in China as “status symbol” (WW pg. 166). The Greeks thought it was a good thing to have slaves. Even poor people had slaves. I don’t understand what the purpose of having slaves was. I wonder how these slaves were treated. In India being a slave was more of a punishment to criminals, which I find more understandable.