Gor Society Hierarchy

Gorean society, as extensively detailed in John Norman's Gor series, is built upon a rigid, deeply entrenched, and highly stratified hierarchy. This structure dictates nearly every aspect of an individual's life, from their birth and profession to their social standing, rights, and even their perceived value. It's a system designed for order, specialization, and the absolute maintenance of power.

Here's a breakdown of the typical Gorean societal hierarchy from top to bottom:

---

I. Supreme Authority (Beyond Human Caste)

1. Priest-Kings:

   • Description: The ultimate, mysterious, and unseen rulers of Gor. They are an ancient, alien, insectoid species possessing advanced technology.

   • Role: They enforce universal laws (primarily technological restrictions) across the planet using devastating means (like the Flame Death). They rarely intervene directly in human affairs unless their laws are violated or the balance of the planet is threatened. They essentially act as planetary custodians.

   • Position: Exist entirely outside and above all human caste structures.

II. Free Human Society (The Caste System)

Free human society on Gor is meticulously organized into a hierarchical caste system. Membership is primarily hereditary, passed down from the father, and each caste corresponds to a specific profession.

A. The High Castes: These five castes are at the pinnacle of human society, holding the most power, influence, and respect. They form the core of a city's governance, military, and intellectual life.

1. Initiates (White Robes):

   • Role: The highest human caste. Concerned with spiritual matters, purification, prophecy, mathematics, and astronomical research. They have their own laws and courts.

   • Influence: Possess significant spiritual authority and often political sway, though they may delegate civil administration.

2. Scribes (Blue Robes):

   • Role: The intellectual and legal backbone. They are scholars, record-keepers, historians, lawyers (Litigators), accountants, mapmakers, teachers, and judges (Magistrates).

   • Influence: Essential for maintaining civil law, city records, and all administrative functions.

3. Builders (Yellow Robes):

   • Role: Architects, engineers, stonemasons, responsible for all construction and infrastructure.

   • Influence: Indispensable for a city's growth, defense, and daily functioning.

4. Physicians (Green Robes):

   • Role: Healers, surgeons, apothecaries. Often considered neutral in conflicts.

   • Influence: Crucial for the health and well-being of the populace.

5. Warriors (Scarlet Robes):

   • Role: The military arm. Responsible for defense, maintaining order, and conquest.

   • Influence: The ultimate enforcers of power and law, forming the foundation of a city's strength.

B. City Rulers: Within the High Castes, specific individuals hold supreme governing authority over a city.

• Ubar / Ubara / Tatrix:

  • Description: The military sovereign of a city (Ubar for male, Ubara/Tatrix for female).

  • Power: Their word is law, holding ultimate authority to decree and change laws, and command the city's military forces. Their power is limited only by their capacity to inspire and control those who wield steel for them.

• Administrator:

  • Description: A civilian statesman who governs the city.

  • Power: Works with the High Council to pass laws, as they do not possess the absolute decree power of an Ubar.

C. High Council:

• Description: A body typically composed of representatives from the High Castes.

• Role: Advises the city's ruler, participates in law-making (especially for Administrators), and sometimes acts as an executive body or plays a role in selecting new leaders.

D. Low Castes: These comprise the majority of the free human population, encompassing all other essential professions.

• Examples: Peasants (the most numerous and lowest free caste), Merchants (traditionally a Low Caste, though their wealth gives them influence), Artisans (craftsmen), Animal Handlers, Sailors, Barbers, etc.

• Privileges: Possess more rights than slaves (e.g., can own property, have a name, are not chattels), but significantly fewer political and social privileges than the High Castes.

III. Outside the Caste System (Subhuman Status)

• Outlaws:

  • Description: Individuals who have rejected or been cast out of the caste system, living outside city laws in the wilderness.

  • Status: Have no caste, no Home Stone, and no legal protection. They are considered fair game.

• Slaves (Kajirae):

  • Description: Enslaved individuals, predominantly women, but also men.

  • Status: Not considered persons before Gorean law, but rather property or "animals." They have no rights, no name of their own, no caste, and no citizenship. They are entirely at the disposition of their masters, who have absolute power over them. Their status is marked by brands and collars.

---

This hierarchy is maintained through strict codes, social conditioning, physical power, and the pervasive threat of legal sanction, ensuring a brutal but stable order on Gor.

- Kati Evans