answersLogoWhite

0

This is a very complex question, and one that Hittitologists have yet to settle. Clearly, there were slaves and freemen, rulers and subjects, soldiers and artisans, priests and "old women" (who were a cross between midwives and sorceresses). But there were also many ethnic groups. The short answer is that the nobles were at the top, and that nobles and priests were often one in the same (but not always). Priests and priestesses were highly regarded. Merchants were also highly regarded, and there were special laws with harsh sanctions for harming them. Slaves were at the bottom of society, but still had certain rights granted by law. The very lowest class was something called "hapiru," who seemed to have been stateless wanderers who were often violent, causing trouble along wilderness frontiers.

User Avatar

Wiki User

16y ago

What else can I help you with?