Noble History
“It is also in the
interests of the tyrant to make his subjects poor... the people are so occupied
with their daily tasks that they have no time for plotting.”
― Aristotle
In ancient history, the highest
status, influence, and power were held by Royalty. Wealth was something handed down, not earned.
Only a very few could be wealthy and, in those days, they were considered
‘noble.’
Education was only for those
with money and so those who could afford education went on to be Professors, Lawyers, Authors, and Doctors.
The educated enjoyed superior
status. The educated noble class referred to themselves as ‘intellectuals.’
Most ‘common’ people were farmers,
even though they weren’t allowed to own the fields or the farm house they lived
in. Farm land/property belonged to the King and a few select wealthy families. People worked for the King, and in return, the
King kept the community safe from invasion by using a strong military. If you
lived under a King, your lot in life was pre-destined, pre-determined. You
couldn’t choose work like you can today and move into a nicer house, or take
vacations, or buy a pair of shoes in every color (though it seems in America we
are reversing and heading toward again working for someone other than
ourselves).
The King surrounded himself with
what we consider a “clique”, but in those days, it was called the Royal Court
or Kings Court.
The Court was made up of
Spiritual Guides (or priests) , Teachers (philosophers), Military Rulers,
Healers (doctors) and Advisors (how the public felt about the King, what moves
he should make to protect his power – in present day, this is known as Public
Relations). So, these type of
professions were highly respected by ‘commoners.’
Throughout history the poor
held the wealthy and the people in the Kings Court in high esteem because, they
reasoned, the King and his Court were chosen by God (either a mythological God
or religious God) to have money/power/influence. And since only the wealthy
went to school, especially college, the wealthy must know better than the majority of the people.
It’s totally understandable that
people created stories with the idea and hope that one day (unfortunately, that
‘day’ was when they died) they would be ‘rewarded’ and live as comfortably and
leisurely as people of wealth and status.
