caste-divided

Updated: July 6, 2025

In a caste-divided community they were scavengers and untouchables, living a life close to that of domestic animals. Most civilizations have permitted gifted individuals to move vertically, from the bottom toward the top levels of the social pyramid. Vertical movement was severely restricted, however. Generally people lived, served and died on the class or caste level into which they were born.

Scott Nearing - Civilization and Beyond: Learning from History