Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-01-13
NO. 57.-"THE WORLD FROM WHICH WE
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NO. 57.-"THE WORLD FROM WHICH WE
INHERIT"
WYE may summarize the discussion of the
wv last two chapters here by making
list Of the chief elements in this COM
plicated accumulation of human beings
which made up the later Babylonian and
Egyptian civilizations of from $500 to 5000
years ago. These elements grew up and be-
came distinct one from another in the great
river valleys of the world in the course of
five or six thousand years. They developed
mental dispositions and traditions and atti-
tudes of thought one to another.
The civilization in which we live today is
simply carrying on and still further develop
ing and working cut and rearranging these
relationships. This is the world from which
we inherit. 1t is only by the tentative study
Of their origins that we detach ourselves
from the prejudies and immediate idea
the particular class to which we NAV belong
and begin to understand the social and po-
litical questions of our own time.
The Great Social Divisions
l. First, then, came the priesthood the
temple system, which was the nucleus and
the guiding intelligence about which the
primitive civilizations grew. 1t was still in
these later days a great power in the world,
the chief repository of knowledge and tradi-
ton, an Influence over the lives of every one
and binding force to hold the community
together. But it was no longer all power
full, because its nature had made it conserva-
tive and inadaptable. 1t no longer monopo-
llzed knowledge nor initiated fresh ideas
Learning had already leaked out to other less
pledged and controlled people, who thought
for themselves About the temple system
were grouped its priests and priestesses it's
scrIbes, its physicians, it's magicians it's lay
brethren, treasurers, managers, directors
and the like. 1t owned great properties and
often boarded huge treasures.
2. Over against the priesthood and orig
inally arising out of it, was the court system
headed by a king or king of kings" who
was in later AsSyria and Babylonia sort Of
captain and lay controller of affairs, and in
Egypt a goldman, who had released himself
from the control of his priests. About the
monarch were accumulated his scribes coun-
seIors, record keepers, agents, captains and
guards Many of his officials particularly
his provincial officials, had great subordi-
nate establishments, and were constantly
tending to become Independent. The nobil-
ltY OF the old river valley civilizations arose
out of the court,system. 1t was, therefore,
a different thing in it's origins from the no.
bility Of the early Aryans, which was a re-
publican nobility of elders and leading men.
The Base of the Pyramid
3. AT the base of the social pyramid was
the large and most necessary class in the
community, the tillers of the soil Their
status varied from age to age and in differ
ent lands; they were free peasants paying
taxes, Or serfs of the god, or serfs or tenants
OF King or noble, or of private owner, pay
ing him a rent; in most cases tax or rent was
paid in produce. In the states of the river
valleys they were high8 cultivators. cultivat-
ing comparatively small holdings; they lived
together for safety in villages, and had a
common interest in maintaining their irriga-
ton channels and a sense of community in
the village life
The cultivation Of the soil is an exacting
occupation; the seasons and the harvest sun
sets will not wait for men, children can be
utilized at an early age, and so the cultivator
class is generally poorly educated, close
tolllng class, superstitious by reason of ig-
norance and the uncertainty of the seasons