Ch 5

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Ch 5 Focuses mainly on inequalities in societies. It starts off talking about China, and how the government consisted 100% of men. It also detailed how peasants were seen as the backbone of society and of the utmost importance. Merchants, however, were looked down upon as they were known only to make money off of other peoples hard work. It also discussed Landlords and how profitable land was at this time.

 Next, the book talked about India. India had an original caste system that we know very little about, and a newer one which we do. It is likely that the lowest class of the caste system was formed by the darker skinned natives when an Aryan group took over, the top castes were the Aryans. The caste system contained outcastes, peasants, merchants, warriors, and priests. 

The book the discussed Slavery in the Roman Empire. Slaves in Rome did what they could do to survive, but were very miserable. There are even recorded mass suicides of Roman slaves who just could not bear it anymore. Slaves were also a third of the population. These slaves were not of any particular ethnic group and were referred to as barbarians.

 Inequalities in socities since pretty much the begining of humanity, however it really didnt take off until the Neolithic, Ancient, and Classical periods. Its so interesting to see the development of inequality, and how society changed because of it.

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