Initiates/ White -
regarded by the lower Castes as representatives of the Priest-
Kings, primarily based on the support of the Low Castes. The Initiates regard
themselves as the Highest Caste. They have their own laws and courts. Their
education is wholly focused on mathematics and interpretations of revelations of the
Priest-Kings. The Priest -Kings themselves consider the Caste an example of the
aberrations of human kind. The Initiates believe only they can achieve eternal life.
Initiates do not eat meat or beans,or drink alcohol; they shave their faces and head
and are celibate,its members not being permitted to even touch women. Initiates are
also forbidden to carry weapons, shed blood or kill anyone.Their numbers are
replenished by recruiting young men to become novices.Their robes are long, severe,
and white.


"The religious conditioning of the men of Gor, based on superstition though it might
be, was as powerful as a set of chains-more powerful than chains because they did
not realize it existed. They feared the word, the curse, of this old man without
weapons more than they would have feared the massed swords of a thousand foemen."
Tarnsman of Gor


Scribes/Blue -
the Caste which includes the scholars, historians, and clerks of Gor,
keepers of the written knowledge of Gor. There are divisions and rankings within the
group, from simple copiers to the savants of the city. In their scrolls are almost
all of the accounting, records keeping, and writing on Gor. They tend to be
studious and serious, with an attention to detail and a passion for knowledge. Sub-
classes of this Caste include the caste of Historians,Cartographers, Magistrates,
Lawyers, and Teachers. The Scribes wear blue robes.


"Many castes, incidentally, have branches and divisions. Lawyers and Scholars, for
example, and Record Keepers, Teachers, Clerks, Historians and Accountants are all
Scribes." Assassin of Gor

Builders/ Gold -
the Caste which includes architects, draftsmen, stonemasons.
concern themselves with the creations of the physical and engineering marvels of
Gor. Also among the Caste of Builders are the inventors and technicians who develop
such works as the creation of the energy bulb and the glass of the Builders
(a telescope) Their Caste color is yellow and their symbol is a metal angle square.


Physicians/ Hunter Green -
the Caste which practices the healing arts. Surgeons,
apothecaries, medical researchers and health practitioners, are all member of this
Caste. Universally recognized as non-combatants during time of war.The Physician's
Caste is one of the Castes where many women actually engage in Caste work. The
Physicians wear green tunics.


"On the first day the physician, a quiet man in the green garments of his caste,
examined me, thoroughly. The instruments he used, the tests he performed, the
samples he required were not unlike those of Earth. Of special interest to me was
the fact that this room, primitive though it might be, was lit by what, in Gorean,
is called an energy bulb, an invention of the Builders. I could see neither cords
nor battery cases. Yet the room was filled with a soft, gentle white light, which
the physician could regulate by rotating the base of the bulb. Further, certain
pieces of his instrumentation were clearly far from primitive. For example, there
was a small machine with gauges and dials. In this he would place slides, containing
drops of blood and urine, flecks of tissue, a strand of hair. With a stylus he would
note readings on the machine, and, on the small screen at the top of the machine, I
saw, vastly enlarged, what reminded me of an image witnessed under a microscope."
Captive of Gor


Warriors/ dark red.marroon -
the caste which includes all who apply themselves to
the arts of battle - infantry, tharlarion, cavalry, and tarnsmen. One of the five
High Castes which make up Gorean government and as such the military branch of the
government. The Gorean term for a Warrior is "Rarius" and the plural form is
"Rarii."They are known to have the strictest set of Caste Codes on Gor. Honor is
their battle cry and steel is their method. They follow what is called the Code of
the Warriors. The Warriors wear red tunics.


"I opened the leather bundle. In it I found the scarlet tunic, sandals and cloak
which constitute the normal garb of a member of the Caste of Warriors. This was as
it should be, as I was of that caste, and had been since that morning, some seven
years ago, when in the Chamber of the Council of High Castes I had accepted weapons
from the hands of my father, Matthew Cabot, Administrator of Ko-ro-ba, and had taken
the Home Stone of that city as my own." Outlaw of Gor


"You may think that to be a warrior is to be large, or strong, and to be skilled
with weapons, to have a blade at your hip, to know the grasp of the spear, to wear
the scarlet, to know the fitting of the iron helm upon one's countenance, but these
things are not truly needful; they are not, truly what makes one man a warrior and
another not. Many men are strong, and large, and skilled with weapons. Any man might,
if he dared, don the scarlet and gird himself with weapons. Any man might place
upon his brow the helm of iron. But it is not the scarlet, not the helm of iron
which makes the warrior." She looked up at me. "It is the codes." I said." Tarl
Cabot & Arlene - Beasts of Gor




Low Castes and SubCastes


Note that some mentioned here are not truly a caste but rather identified as a
recognized group with a particular trade. It is also important to note that within
each caste, a number of sub-castes may exist.The lines between Caste and subcaste
is sometimes vague and the subcaste may consider itself to be a separate Caste
though legally it is not.




Animal Handlers - The books do not state such a general Caste exists. Specific
Castes do exist for certain animals , all concerned with the use and care of
domestic animals in use upon Gor.


Drovers - May not be a Caste - concerns itself with the care and feeding of the
various draft animals in use upon Gor, as well as the task of using wagons drawn by
such creatures to ship goods from city to city.

Goatkeepers - This is a Low Caste that concerns itself with the care and maintenance
of herds of goats and other animals such as the woolly Gorean hurt. Goat Keepers
are mentioned as a caste in Priest-Kings of Gor.

Sleen Trainers/brown and black - This Low Caste concerns itself with the care,
feeding and training of the Gorean Sleen. Sleen Trainers wear brown and black and
are mentioned in Beasts of Gor.

TarnKeepers - This Low Caste concerns itself with the care, feeding, and training
of the Gorean tarn, the fierce winged saddle-bird of Gor.Tarn Keepers are mentioned
as caste in Tarnsman of Gor.

Vart Trainers - The books do not specifically state that this is a Caste or
subcaste. - This "Caste" is exclusive to the island Ubarate of Tyros. Members of
this caste concern themselves with the care, feeding and training of the Gorean
vart, a bat-like creature in use upon Tyros, often trained and used as a weapon.



Artisans - The books do not specifically state that this is a Caste. Any production
of hand-made goods, no matter its use, is considered by the typical Gorean to be a
work of art. An artisan is simply a manually skilled worker.

Cloth Makers - This Low Caste produces articles of Gorean clothing.

"The carders and the dyers, incidentally, are subcastes separate from the weavers.
All are subcastes of the rug makers, which itself, interestingly, perhaps surprisingly,
is accounted generally as a subcaste of the cloth workers. Rug makers themselves,
however usually regard themselves in their various subcastes, as being independent
of the cloth workers. A rug maker would not care to be confused with a maker of
kaftans, turbans or djellabas." Tribesmen of Gor

Leather Workers - This Low Caste is concerned with the fabrication of various
leather goods from animal hides of all types. Leather workers also responsible for
the piercing of the ears and noses of slave girls. Leather Workers are mentioned as
a caste in Captive of Gor.

Harness Makers - They provide not just harnesses but saddles, reins, tethers,
hobblings and bridles.

Metal Workers - Low Caste concerned with the production of most metal items
fabricated upon Gor. They include simple blacksmiths up to craftsmen who work in
gold and silver.

"My opponent was not Andreas, but a squat, powerful man with short-clipped yellow
hair, Kron of Tharna, of the Caste of Metal Workers" Outlaw of Gor

Poets - Members of this Caste concern themselves with the creation of the poems of
Gor. Low Caste very similar to the Singer's Caste. This caste is outlawed in Tharna.

"It could have been worse, I thought. After all, though the Caste of Singers, or
Poets, was not a high caste, it had more prestige than, for example, the Caste of
Pot-Makers or Saddle-Makers, with which it was sometimes compared." Outlaw of Gor

Pot Makers - Low Caste responsible for making pottery .

"Hup's rag might once have been of the Caste of potters" Assassin of Gor


Rope Makers - Rope-Makers and Sail-Makers are considered more of a union than a
caste.Mentioned in Raiders of Gor.They produce rope, binding fiber, thread and
cordage of all types.


Torturers -Not a Gorean caste but a Clan found only among the Wagon People of the
far south.They only perform their work on prisoners and captives

Weavers - Low Caste concerned with the professional production of textiles .

Assassin - They are comprised of those who kill strictly for pay. Their existence
has long been suppressed, though they still appear occasionally. They refuse to use
poison to dispatch their enemies (they consider it the mark of an amateur) and are
required by their Caste codes to renounce all ties of friendship and family.
Assassins are the most hated caste on Gor though it is not considered the lowest of
Castes.The caste of Assassins wears black. They, like the Warriors, commonly wear
short, loose tunics, freeing the limbs for attack, defense, war, etc.


"The sword of the warrior, commonly, is pledged to a Home Stone, that of the
assassin to gold and the knife." Beasts of Gor


"The training of the assassin is thorough and cruel. He who wears the black of the
caste has not won it easily." Beasts of Gor


Bakers - Another very broad Low Caste responsible for making the varied baked goods
of Gor. Bakers wore robes of yellow and brown.


"I stayed for four days in the rooms above the shop of Dina of Turia, there I dyed
my hair black and exchanged the robes of the merchant for the yellow and brown
tunic of the Bakers; to which caste her father and two brothers had belonged."
Nomads of Gor


Bleachers - This is a Low Caste responsible for bleaching fabrics to make them
white.


Brewers - This Low Caste concerns itself with the production of most grain based
Gorean alcohol.


Butchers - This Caste is responsible for the preparation and cutting of varied
meats for the consumption of Goreans.


Charcoal Makers - Low Caste that concerns itself with the production of charcoal
for use in Gorean forges and ovens.


Cosmetician - Free women rarely wear cosmetics, but, in Ar many free women do
commonly use them. Cosmetics are usually regarded as for slaves only. Many
cosmeticians treat their free women clients almost like slaves. There are one
hundred and eleven basic shades of slave lipstick and there are even flavored
lipsticks. Toenails and fingernails are rarely painted though slaves at night may
have painted nails. Cosmeticians are mentioned in Assassin of Gor


Dyers - A Low Caste that may be under the Weavers caste, they dye fabrics.


Fishermen - This is a Low Caste.They are concerned with harvesting the vast variety
of Gorean aquatic life for food.


Hairdresser - Low Caste - Upswept hairdos are reserved for free women or high slaves
as it is a mark of status.


Magicians - They wear long robes and plumed turbans, the most famous magicians come
from Anango. Magicians are mentioned in Magicians of Gor.


Merchants - Low Caste - They engage in the sale and trade of merchandise for a
profit. Their caste colors are white and gold.


"I wore a white robe, woven of the wool of the Hurt, imported from distant Ar,
trimmed with golden cloth, from Tor, the colors of the Merchant" Hunters of Gor


Musicians - Often working in conjunction with the caste of Singers, this caste
concerns itself with providing and performing instrumental musical works, as well
as accompaniment for those of the caste of Singers. Musicians may travel freely
across Gor and are welcomed into nearly any city.


"In most cities it is regarded, incidentally, as a criminal offense to enslave one
of the caste of players. A similar decree, in most cities, stands against the
enslavement of one who is of the caste of musicians" Beasts of Gor


Peasants - Lowest and most common on Gor, which is concerned with the maintenance,
planting and harvesting of the vast lands surrounding most cities which have been
divided into plots and set aside for agricultural use. These are the free farmers
of Gor; although a Low caste they refer to themselves as "the Ox on Which the Home
Stone Rests", due to their vital role in Gorean society.


"Economically, the base of the Gorean life was the free peasant, which was perhaps
the lowest but undoubtedly the most fundamental caste." Tarnsman of Gor


Perfumers - This Low Caste concerns itself with the production of various types of
scented perfumes, used for purposes of esthetic appeal. Their Caste colors are
white and yellow.


"My assistant, a large fellow, but obviously stupid, smooth-shaven as are the
perfumers, in white and yellow silk, and golden sandals, bent over, hurried forward.
He carried a tray of vials." Marauders of Gor


Players - Low Caste, they have dedicated their lives to the furtherance of the
Gorean game of Kaissa. Found and supported in almost any city. Members are granted
blanket immunity to prosecution and slavery, and are highly regarded based upon
there level of skill. Players wear robes of red and yellow.


"In most cities it is regarded, incidentally, as a criminal offense to enslave one
of the caste of players. A similar decree, in most cities, stands against the
enslavement of one who is of the caste of musicians." Beasts of Gor


Rence Growers - A slightly higher caste than the caste of Peasants, this is the
caste of those who dwell in the various marshes and swamps of Gor, and who harvest
Rence (a Gorean plant similar to Earth rice). They reside on great floating man-made
islands amidst the marshes and are highly territorialand secretive.


Sailors - The books do not state such a general Caste exists. May contain subcastes
with their own specialties like the Bargemen.


Singers - They concern themselves with the performance of verbal entertainment set
to music. Low Caste very similar to the Poets Caste.


Slavers - They deal with the buying and selling of human merchandise. Slavers wear
robes of blue and yellow. They also frequently shave their heads and are considered
a subcaste of the Merchants.


"The Slavers, incidentally, are of the Merchant caste, though, in virtue of their
merchandise and practices, their robes are different." Assassin of Gor


Thieves - This caste is comprised of those who make their living by stealing,
robbery, picking pockets, etc.; the Caste of Thieves is exclusive to the city of
Port Kar. They have no recognizable castecolors, but can be indentified by a tiny,
three-pronged black tattoo on their cheekbone, which is their caste marking.


"On his right cheek, over the cheekbone was the Thief brand of the Caste of Thieves
of Port Kar, who use the small brand to identify their members." Assassin of Gor


Vintners - Low Caste -They concern itself the professional production of most fruit
based Gorean alcohol.Vintners wear white, decorated with green leaf patterns.They
are mentioned in Assassin of Gor.


Woodsman - Low Caste concerned with protecting and managing the vast resources of
various Gorean forests claimed by a particular city or village. They are experts in
various forms of woodcrafts and are forest hunters, forest marshals, and forest
trackers of Gor.
Aka Wood Carriers - They concern themselves with the harvesting and transportation
of the trees of the Gorean forests and tree farms. They wear a short, tattered
sleeveless robe with a leather back and shoulders to protect their backs from their
loads .


"I saw a wide, hunched figure, bending under a gigantic bundle of sticks, strapped
to his back by two cords which he held twisted in his fists in front of his body.
His stature and burden proclaimed him as a member of the Caste of Carriers of Wood,
or Woodsmen, that Gorean caste which, with the Caste of Charcoal Makers, provides
most of the common fuel for the Gorean cities" Outlaw of Gor


"The Gorean woodsman, it might be mentioned, before he will strike a tree with his
axe, speaks to the tree, begs its forgiveness and explains the use to which the
wood will be put." Captive of Gor