18 17 slavery elite systems in which some people are held a group of people considered to be the as property by others and forced to do best in a particular society or category, different types of work usually because of their power, talent, or wealth Example: Slavery existed in Ancient Egypt, Example: Priests were often included in the and the great pyramids of Egypt were built in elite classes of ancient civilizations because it part by slaves. was believed they could gain favor from the (SS070404) gods. (SS070404) 19 20 aristocrats merchants members of a ruling class or of the people who buy and sell goods for profit; nobility and were usually wealthy business people landowners Example: Merchants often had connections to people in other places because they bought and Example: In ancient empires, the family sold goods through large trade networks. members of the emperor were aristocrats and enjoyed wealth with little work. (SS070404) (SS070404) 21 22 artisan scholar a worker in a skilled trade or craft; one a person dedicated to the pursuit of who makes things by hand learning and the building of knowledge; valued for their thinking rather than their Example: There were many artisans in labor ancient Greece, some of which were skilled sculptors and stone workers. They were Example: Scholars in ancient Greece were higher in the social hierarchy than unskilled well-respected and studied topics related to laborers. mathematics, philosophy, and history. (SS070404) (SS070404) Student Handout 1 Social Hierarchy and Slavery in the Ancient World – Between 1000 BCE and 500 CE, the vast majority of the were farmers, herders, world’s population or foragers. They produced their own food, and they lived short lives compared to today. However,
17 slavery systems in which some people are held as property by others and forced to do different types of work Example: Slavery existed in Ancient Egypt, and the great pyramids of Egypt were built in part by slaves. (SS070404) 18 elite a group of people considered to be the best in a particular society or category, usually because of their power, talent, or wealth Example: Priests were often included in the elite classes of ancient civilizations because it was believed they could gain favor from the gods. (SS070404) 19 aristocrats members of a ruling class or of the nobility and were usually wealthy landowners Example: In ancient empires, the family members of the emperor were aristocrats and enjoyed wealth with little work. (SS070404) 20 merchants people who buy and sell goods for profit; business people Example: Merchants often had connections to people in other places because they bought and sold goods through large trade networks. (SS070404) 21 artisan a worker in a skilled trade or craft; one who makes things by hand Example: There were many artisans in ancient Greece, some of which were skilled sculptors and stone workers. They were higher in the social hierarchy than unskilled laborers. (SS070404) 22 scholar a person dedicated to the pursuit of learning and the building of knowledge; valued for their thinking rather than their labor Example: Scholars in ancient Greece were well-respected and studied topics related to mathematics, philosophy, and history. (SS070404) Student Handout 1 – Social Hierarchy and Slavery in the Ancient World Between 1000 BCE and 500 CE, the vast majority of the world’s population were farmers, herders, or foragers. They produced their own food, and they lived short lives compared to today. However,