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| *2. 121:3.3 ''The [[business]] groups''. The merchant princes and the [[bankers]], the traders—the big importers and exporters—the [[international]] merchants. | | *2. 121:3.3 ''The [[business]] groups''. The merchant princes and the [[bankers]], the traders—the big importers and exporters—the [[international]] merchants. |
| *3. 121:3.4 ''The small [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_class middle class]''. Although this [[group]] was indeed small, it was very [[influential]] and provided the [[moral]] backbone of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Christian_Church early Christian church], which encouraged these groups to continue in their various [[crafts]] and trades. Among the [[Jews]] many of the [[Pharisees]] belonged to this class of tradesmen. | | *3. 121:3.4 ''The small [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_class middle class]''. Although this [[group]] was indeed small, it was very [[influential]] and provided the [[moral]] backbone of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Christian_Church early Christian church], which encouraged these groups to continue in their various [[crafts]] and trades. Among the [[Jews]] many of the [[Pharisees]] belonged to this class of tradesmen. |
− | *4. 121:3.5 ''The free proletariat''. This [[group]] had little or no [[social]] standing. Though proud of their [[freedom]], they were placed at great disadvantage because they were forced to compete with [[slave]] [[labor]]. The upper classes regarded them disdainfully, allowing that they were useless except for "breeding [[purposes]]." | + | *4. 121:3.5 ''The free [[proletariat]]''. This [[group]] had little or no [[social]] standing. Though proud of their [[freedom]], they were placed at great disadvantage because they were forced to compete with [[slave]] [[labor]]. The upper classes regarded them disdainfully, allowing that they were useless except for "breeding [[purposes]]." |
− | *5. 121:3.6 ''The slaves''. Half the [[population]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Rome#Republic Roman state] were [[slaves]]; many were superior [[individuals]] and quickly made their way up among the free [[proletariat]] and even among the tradesmen. The [[majority]] were either mediocre or very inferior. | + | *5. 121:3.6 ''The [[slaves]]''. Half the [[population]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Rome#Republic Roman state] were [[slaves]]; many were superior [[individuals]] and quickly made their way up among the free [[proletariat]] and even among the tradesmen. The [[majority]] were either mediocre or very inferior. |
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| 121:3.7 [[Slavery]], even of superior peoples, was a feature of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Rome Roman] [[military]] [[conquest]]. The [[power]] of the master over his [[slave]] was unqualified. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Christian_Church early Christian church] was largely [[composed]] of the lower classes and these [[slaves]]. | | 121:3.7 [[Slavery]], even of superior peoples, was a feature of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Rome Roman] [[military]] [[conquest]]. The [[power]] of the master over his [[slave]] was unqualified. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Christian_Church early Christian church] was largely [[composed]] of the lower classes and these [[slaves]]. |