Caste System

 The five High Castes in John Norman's Gor series are:

1. Initiates (White Robes)

2. Scribes (Blue Robes)

3. Builders (Yellow Robes)

4. Physicians (Green Robes)

5. Warriors (Scarlet Robes)

In John Norman's Gor series, the five High Castes (Initiates, Scribes, Builders, Physicians, and Warriors) are the pillars of Gorean civilization. While they each have distinct roles and areas of authority, they are interdependent and their relationship is characterized by a complex dynamic of cooperation, respect, rivalry, and sometimes tension, all ultimately serving the stability and power of their respective cities.

Here's how they generally relate to each other:

1. Interdependence:

   • No single High Caste can sustain a city alone. They rely on each other for specialized functions.

   • Warriors protect the city, but Builders construct the walls, Scribes manage the logistics and laws, Physicians heal the sick and wounded, and Initiates provide spiritual guidance and sometimes essential calendar/astronomical knowledge.

   • This mutual reliance often necessitates cooperation in daily city administration, especially through the High Council (often composed of representatives from these castes).

2. Hierarchy and Precedence (General):

   • While all are "High," there's a perceived hierarchy, usually with Initiates at the top due to their perceived connection to the Priest-Kings and their role in spiritual/cosmic matters.

   • Warriors often hold immense practical power due to their control of force, making them highly influential.

   • The ranking can shift subtly depending on the specific city's traditions, its Ubar's favored caste, or even during times of peace versus war (e.g., Warriors' influence might rise during war).

3. Areas of Authority and Overlap:

   • Initiates: Primarily spiritual and philosophical authority. They maintain calendars, astronomical knowledge, and sometimes oversee major rituals. They have their own laws and courts, which can create jurisdictional tension with civil authorities. Other castes generally avoid direct conflict with them.

   • Scribes: Hold intellectual, legal, and administrative authority. They are record-keepers, lawmakers (through magistrates), accountants, and teachers. They manage the city's internal organization. They interact heavily with all castes through legal disputes, record-keeping, and general administration.

   • Builders: Hold architectural and engineering authority. They interact with the ruling caste (Ubar/Council) for commissions and with other castes for labor (e.g., peasants, slaves). Their work creates the physical spaces for all other castes.

   • Physicians: Hold authority in matters of health and healing. They are considered neutral parties in war, and their healers are often respected across warring factions. They interact with all castes for medical care.

   • Warriors: Hold military and enforcement authority. They protect the city, enforce the Ubar's will, and maintain order. They are the ultimate physical power and interact with all castes through defense, policing, and conquest.

4. Rivalry and Tension:

   • Despite cooperation, rivalries can exist between castes, particularly for influence over the Ubar or on the High Council.

   • Initiates vs. Civil Authority: A common source of tension is the Initiates' claim of supreme authority in all matters versus the civil government's (often led by a Ubar, supported by Scribes and Warriors) desire for secular control.

   • Wealth vs. Status: Merchants, though usually a Low Caste, wield significant economic power ("Gold has no caste"), which can create tension with High Castes who prioritize traditional status over wealth.

   • Inter-caste marriages (though rare and often within the same caste) and personal loyalties can sometimes bridge or complicate these caste relationships.

5. Political Representation:

   • Representatives from the High Castes almost invariably form the High Council of a city, which advises or directly governs (depending on whether the city has an Ubar or Administrator). This is where their inter-caste dynamics play out in the political arena.

In essence, the five High Castes form a complex, organic system. While each occupies a specialized and vital niche, their relationships are a constant negotiation of power, influence, and mutual necessity, all contributing to the unique and stratified civilization of Gor.

- Kati Evans