Quotes on High Council

"How is leadership determined in these cities?" I asked. "Rulers," he said, "are chosen from any High Caste."
"High Caste?" I asked.
"Yes, of course," was his answer. "In fact, in the First Knowledge, there is a story told to the young in their public nurseries, that if a man from Lower Caste should come to rule in a city, the city would come to ruin."
. . .
"The High Castes in a given city," said my father, "elect an administrator and council for stated terms. In times of crisis, a war chief, or Ubar, is named, who rules without check and by decree until, in his judgment, the crisis is passed."
Tarnsman of Gor Book 1 Page 42

The Chamber of the Council is the room in which the elected representatives of the High Castes of Ko-ro-ba hold their meetings. Each city has such a chamber. It was in the widest of cylinders, and the ceiling was at least six times the height of the normal living level. The ceiling was lit as if by stars, and the walls were of five colors, applied laterally, beginning from the bottom - white, blue, yellow, green, and red, caste colors. Benches of stone, on which the members of the Council sat, rose in five monumental tiers about the walls, one tier for each of the High Castes. These tiers shared the color of that portion of the wall behind them, the caste colors.
The tier nearest the floor, which denoted some preferential status, the white tier, was occupied by Initiates, Interpreters of the Will of the Priest-Kings. In order, the ascending tiers, blue, yellow, green, and red, were occupied by representatives of the Scribes, Builders, Physicians, and Warriors.
Tarnsman of Gor Book 1 Pages 61 - 62


On the broad steps leading to the throne, there were curule chairs, on which sat, I supposed, members of the High Council of Tharna.
Outlaw of Gor Book 2 Page 90

"I had never been in the arms of a man before," she said, "for the men of Tharna may not touch women."
I must have looked puzzled.
"The Caste of Physicians," she said, "under the direction of the High Council of Tharna, arranges these matters."
Outlaw of Gor Book 2 Page 106
. . .
"When he was safe," she said, "I did my duty, giving myself to the High Council of Tharna and confessing all. It was decreed that I must lose my silver mask, don the camisk and be collared, and be sent to the Great Farms to carry water to Field Slaves."
She began to weep.
"You should not have given yourself to the High Council," I said.
"Why?" she asked. "Was I not guilty?"
"You were not guilty," I said.
Outlaw of Gor Book 2 Page 106

I knew that Gorean caste lines, though largely following birth, were not inflexible, and that a man who did not care for his caste might be allowed to change caste, if approved by the High Council of his city, an approval usually contingent on his qualifications for the work of another caste and the willingness of the members of the new caste to accept him as a Caste Brother.
Priest-Kings of Gor Book 3 Page 71

It might be mentioned, for those unaware of the fact, that the Caste of Merchants is not considered one of the traditional five High Castes of Gor the Initiates, Scribes, Physicians, Builders and Warriors. Most commonly, and doubtless unfortunately, it is only members of the five high castes who occupy positions on the High Councils of the cities. Nonetheless, as might be expected, the gold of merchants, in most cities, exercises its not imponderable influence, not always in so vulgar a form as bribery and gratuities, but more often in the delicate matters of extending or refusing to extend credit in connection with the projects, desires or needs of the High Councils.
Nomads of Gor Book 4 Page 84

Much of Turia was in flames. Certain of the Hundreds, delegated the task, had immediately, almost before the alarm bars could sound, seized many of the wells, granaries and public buildings, including the very palace of Phanius Turmus itself. The Ubar, and Kamras, his highest officer, had fallen captive almost immediately, each to a Hundred set that purpose. Most of the High Council of Turia, too, now reposed in Tuchuk chains. The city was largely without leadership, though here and there brave Turians had gathered guardsmen and men-at-arms and determined civilians and sealed off streets, forming fortresses within the City against the invaders.
Nomads of Gor Book 4 Page 248

"Welcome, Commanders," said Kamchak, turning and regarding us, inviting us to sit down.
"I did not expect to see you in Turia, I said.
"Neither did the Turians," remarked Harold, reaching over the shoulder of one of the high council of Turia and taking a candied verr chop.
Nomads of Gor Book 4 Page 253

Portus laughed bitterly. "Without the gold of this house, how could the Administrator and the High Initiate have sponsored the races and the games that won them the favor of the lower castes?"
"But the lower castes do not elect the Administrator or the High Initiate," said Kuurus. "The Administrator is appointed by the High Council of the City and the High initiate by the High Council of the Initiates of the City."
Assassin of Gor Book 5 Page 18

In Ar, the high bridge near the Central Cylinder, housing the palace of the Ubar and the meeting place of the city's High Council, was held, and had been for four years, by the young and brilliant, fiery Scormus of Ar.
Assassin of Gor Book 5 Page 29

I do not know whether or not Elizabeth's continued presence in Ko-ro-ba would have initiated a revolution among the city's free women or not. Surely there had been scandalized mention of her in circles even as august as that of the High Council of the City. My own father, Administrator of the City, seemed unnerved by her.
Assassin of Gor Book 5 Pages 76 - 77

Everyone in the crowd seemed to be on their feet, even those who sat in the marbled tiers beneath the awnings of purple silk. I rose also that I might see. Near the finishing perches, nine of which were standing for this race, were the areas reserved for the Administrator, the High Initiate, and members of the High Council. These areas were almost porches, extending beyond the regular stands, covered with awnings, on which were mounted sets of curule chairs, at different levels.
Assassin of Gor Book 5 Page 139

Further, because of his services to the state, including the sponsorship of games and races, Cernus was, upon the petition of Saphronicus, Captain of the Taurentians, invested in the scarlet of the Warrior, thus honoring him with High Caste. He did not, of course, give up the House of Cernus nor any other of his widely ranging interests in Ar and beyond it. I do not suppose the Hinrabian Administrator much cared to approve this raising of caste in the case of Cernus, but he lacked the courage to go against the wishes of the Taurentians, and of the city generally. The High Council, with scarcely a murmur, agreed to the investiture.
Assassin of Gor Book 5 Page 210

It perhaps need only be added that now being a Warrior, and thus of High Caste, he was now eligible for a seat on the High Council of the city, and even for the throne itself, whether it be that of Administrator or Ubar.
Assassin of Gor Book 5 Page 211

(On the first day of En'Kara) It was also the day that, before the High Council and the Administrator, Cernus, of the House of Cernus, accepted the red of the Warrior from the hands of Saphronicus, Captain of the Taurentians.
Assassin of Gor Book 5 Page 212

Two members of the High Council, who had spoken out against the influence of Merchants in the politics of Ar, presumably a veiled reference to Cernus, were found slain, one cut down by killing knife and another throttled and found dangling from a bridge near his home.
. . .
Then, as I would have expected, within the month, there were rumors of peculation, and an accounting and investigation, theoretically to clear the name of the Hinrabian, was demanded by one of the High Council, a Physician whom I had seen upon occasion in the house.
Assassin of Gor Book 5 Page 233

The High Council receiving the promise of Minus Tentius Hinrabius to depart from the city, did not inflict officially the penalty of exile.
Assassin of Gor Book 5 Page 235

The Cylinder of Initiates demanded that the High Council of the Caste of Physicians put an end to our work, not only that it be discontinued but that our results to that date be destroyed.
Assassin of Gor Book 5 Page 266

I think I knew the shipping, the cargos and the schedules of those two island Ubarates, and several of their allies, as well or better than many of the members of their own high councils.
Raiders of Gor Book 6 Page 191

Then, with music and ceremony, he would be presented before the High Council of Tyros. He would be presented before them as he had marched, naked and in the chains of a slave. Sarus, leader of the men of Tyros in the forest, his captor, would then give him to the council. He would then be pronounced, by the council, slave of Tyros. He might then be given a name more fitting a slave than Marlenus.
Hunters of Gor Book 8 Page 200

it is my understanding, there might have been decided, however, a generation ago, by one of the rare meetings of the high council of rune-priests, attended by the high rune-priests of each district, that thralls should no longer be sacrificed;
Marauders of Gor Book 9 Page 152

In many cities only members of the high castes may belong to the city's high council. Most Gorean cities are governed by an executive, the Administrator, in conjunction with the high council. Some cities are governed by a Ubar, who is in effect a military sovereign, sometimes a tyrant, whose word is law.
Slave Girl of Gor Book 11 Page 114

Most Gorean cities now, at least in the south, had accepted a standard tournament Kaissa, agreed upon by the high council of the caste of players.
Beasts of Gor Book 12 Page 43

In the last year heavy import duties had been levied by the high council of Vonda against the wines of certain other cities, in particular against the Ka-la-nas of Ar.
Fighting Slave of Gor Book 14 Page 306

Ti was the largest and most populous city of the Salerian Confederation. It had, to date, refused to involve itself in the machinations of Vonda and Cos.
"Surely it will be only a matter of time," I said.
"I suspect so," said the man. "Even now Ebullius Gaius Cassius, of the Warriors, Administrator of Ti, meets with the high council of Ti."
Rouge of Gor Book 15 Page 24

"The appointment was made earlier this afternoon, in a secret session of the High Council of the Vosk League," said Tasdron, "that body sovereign in the league, composed of representatives drawn from all the member towns."
Guardsman of Gor Book 16 Page 271

I straightened myself on the great throne of Corcyrus, on the high dais, in the great hall of the palace. Men of high councils were about me. Guards, too, were plentiful. My own guard, Drusus Rencius, now in resplendent regalia, fitting for the guard of a Tatrix, was nearby.
Kajira of Gor Book 19 Page 88

"Your scrolls have been examined," said Ligurious. "I, the Tatrix, and those of the high councils, have scrutinized them with more care than they deserved. Their evidences are false, their arguments specious, their claims fraudulent."
Kajira of Gor Book 19 Page 89

The sack was to be opened, and she was to be presented to Claudius Ubar of Argentum, and the high council, and high citizens of Argentum, at the climax of a great feast, to be celebrated two days from now.
Kajira of Gor Book 19 Page 345

"Tomorrow night, at the great victory feast," he said, "you will be turned over to Claudius, my Ubar, and the high council."
Kajira of Gor Book 19 Page 351

Similarly I have had clothing smuggled out of Corcyrus, clothing which you wore. This will be presented to Claudius, the Ubar, and the high council, as the clothing of the Tatrix of Corcyrus. You will be identified as the former wearer of the clothing, course, by sleen. The work of Claudius and the high council of course, will be made somewhat easier by the fact the when the golden sack is opened at the banquet it will be occupied not by the true Sheila, but by you, her dupe and double.
Kajira of Gor Book 19 Page 354

"The other Sheila, too, is very pretty," he said. "It will interesting, tonight, to compare you, when you are naked and in chains, side by side, presented to Claudius and the high council."
Kajira of Gor Book 19 Page 360

The feast slaves had drawn back, behind the tables. At these tables were Claudius, the Ubar of Argentum, and members of the high council.
Kajira of Gor Book 19 Page 362

Two soldiers, from a side room, dragged the golden sack across the floor and put it before the center table, that table where sat Claudius, the members of he high council and other significant guests.
Kajira of Gor Book 19 Pages 362 - 363

"Is that the woman whom you served?" asked Miles.
"It is, Master," she said.
The members of the high council and many of the guests looked about at one another, nodding.
Kajira of Gor Book 19 Page 369

"He, too," said Drusus Rencius, "could have been mistaken in this matter!"
There was some laughter from some of the members of the high council, and from some of the others about the tables.
Kajira of Gor Book 19 Page 373

"The evidence is clear," said Miles of Argentum to the Ubar, Claudius, to the members of the high council, to the others in the room. "I rest my case."
Kajira of Gor Book 19 Page 376

"I am not touchy on such matters," said Hassan. "I am not a warrior. I am a businessman. I recognize the right of Claudius and the high council to assurances in these matters. Indeed, it is their duty, in so far as they can, to protect Argentum against deception and fraud.
Kajira of Gor Book 19 Page 377

"As you will note," said Hassan to Claudius and the high council, "the seal on this bundle has not been broken. Here, too, is the letter from Menicius."
The letter was examined.
Kajira of Gor Book 19 Page 378

"Examine the seals," said Ligurious, triumphantly. "See which bears the true seal of Corcyrus!"
The broken seals were brought to Claudius. He put them on the table before him. Members of the high council crowded about him.
. . .
The seal was examined.
"It is the seal of. Corcyrus," said Claudius.
The letter was opened and examined.
"The descriptions tally with the garments brought to us by Ligurious," said one of the members of the high council.
"Who has signed the letter?" inquired Ligurious.
"Menicius," said one of the members of the high council, looking up.
Kajira of Gor Book 19 Pages 381 - 382

I am prepared now to be turned over, as a slave, to Claudius, the Ubar of Argentum, and the high council of Argentum, to face their justice."
Kajira of Gor Book 19 Page 387

"Are you prepared, now," asked Hassan, "to be turned over to Claudius and the high council?"
"Yes, Master," she said. "I ask only, first, to be permitted one last time to kiss your feet in respect and reverence, and, in doing so, to express, too, my gratitude for the joy you have given me in these few days you have owned me. They have been the most precious of my life." She then, tenderly, kissed his feet, extending obeisance and love to the man who had made her a slave.
There were tears in my eyes.
Hassan laughed, a roar of a laugh. She looked up, startled.
"Do you truly think I brought you here," he laughed, "to turn you over to Claudius and the high council?"
"Of course, Master," she said.
"No!" he laughed.
. . .
"It was never your intention, then, to deliver her to us?" asked a member of the high council.
"No," said Hassan.
Kajira of Gor Book 19 Pages 393 - 394

"Your motivations were more complex," I said, "and deeper, and more painful and more cruel. It was not within your province to determine my innocence or guilt. That responsibility was that of Claudius, the Ubar of Argentum, and the high council. In no way was it incumbent on you to risk your commission, your future, your honor, your life, on what must at best have been little more than a remote possibility."
Kajira of Gor Book 19 Page 396

Yet, too, he had, with Menicius, risked his life in the camp of Miles to free me, and he had sought desperately to protect and defend me in the inquiry with Claudius and the high council.
Kajira of Gor Book 19 Page 425

Incidentally, there are many versions of Kaissa played on Gor. In some of these versions, the names of the pieces differ, and, in some, even more alarmingly, their nature and power. The caste of Players, to its credit, has been attempting to standardize Kaissa for years.
A major victory in this matter was secured a few years ago when the caste of Merchants, which organizes and manages the Sardar Fairs, agreed to a standardized version, proposed by, and provisionally approved by, the high council of the caste of Players, for the Sardar tournaments, one of the attractions of the Sardar Fairs.
Players of Gor Book 20 Page 8

Such troupes, incidentally, must petition for the right to perform within a city. Usually a sample performance, or a part of a performance, is required, staged before the high council, or a committee delegated by such a council. Sometimes the actresses are expected to perform privately, being "tested," so to speak, for selected officials. If the troupe is approved it may, for a fee, be licensed.
Players of Gor Book 20 Page 10

There was some message, it seemed, come from Belnar, for her ears alone, something having to do with some emergency, something perhaps requiring immediate consultation, perhaps even a conference of the high council.
Players of Gor Book 20 Pages 339 - 340

"Belnar, and other members of the high council," he said, "have been conducting negotiations with individuals in various states, in particular, Cos and Ar. I do not fully understand all that is transpiring, but I have some idea. These negotiations, I gather, are generally in cipher. I would like to guarantee the security of those ciphers. One set of cipher keys, at least, is doubtless somewhere here. If you have found them, turn them over to me. Too, surrender yourself to me, to be bound as a prisoner."
Players of Gor Book 20 Page 372

Flaminius hurried to the door and opened it. A tall, broad-shouldered, imposing, caped figure stood them. "I am Saphronicus, general of Ar, envoy from the state of Ar," it said. "I have entered the city only within the Ahn, immediately ordering the city captain to report to me. Here I find slaughtered ubars, chaos and fire! I have assumed command in the city until the high council appoints a new Ubar.
Players of Gor Book 20 Page 373

Too, I suspected that the city captain had now assumed authority in the city, now that Belnar had been killed. Flaminius's power, I suspected, had largely been a matter of his closeness to the Ubar, and his control of special projects, under the direction of the Ubar. He was not, as far as I knew, a member of the city administration nor did he hold, as far as I could tell, any official position or rank in the army, or the civic or merchant guard, of Brundisium. He did have, presumably, through Belnar, connections with members of the high council of the city. Members of that council had doubtless been closely associated with Belnar in his various projects. No new Ubar, as far as I could tell, had yet been appointed by the council. There had been, at least, no general ringing of bars such as might be expected to announce such an appointment.
Players of Gor Book 20 Pages 378 - 379

"Were there names in the papers?" I asked.
"Yes," he said. "Members of the high council of Brundisium, other than Belnar, are involved. His removal will not affect the business."
Players of Gor Book 20 Page 393

How is it, I wondered, that each time I put my food down, my head hurts. That was interesting. Could it be normal? There was nothing in the codes of the warriors, as I recalled, that explicitly demanded resistance to brigands, though perhaps it was presupposed. It was an interesting interpretative question, probably one calling for the attention of high councils.
Mercenaries of Gor Book 21 Page 90

The ropes on the necks had been tarred to protect them from the weather, an indication that it had been intended they should remain in place for some time. These inert, suspended, desiccated weights, now little more than skulls and the bones of men, with some bits of cloth, fluttering in the air's stirrings, and threads and patches of dried flesh clinging about them, had been arranged in a line along the Avenue of Adminius, the main thoroughfare of Torcadino, near the Semnium, the hall of the high council, doubtless as some sort of mnemonic and admonitory display.
Mercenaries of Gor Book 21 Page 108

I nodded. Clearly it had been intended that those coming and going in Torcadino would take this route.
"Who are they?" I asked.
"Members of the high council, and lesser councils, and certain of their supporters," he said, "who favored the cause of Ar."
Mercenaries of Gor Book 21 Page 109

We were at the foot of the low, broad steps of the Semnium, the hall of the high council, which building, it seemed, might now serve as the headquarters of the new masters of Torcadino. These steps extended before the building, for the entire length of its portico.
Mercenaries of Gor Book 21 Page 140

"Gnieus Lelius," said he, "high councilor, first minister to Ar, is regent in the absence of Marlenus.
Mercenaries of Gor Book 21 Page 166

"Rumors are rampant," he said. "One does not know what to think."
"I trust the regent, your high councils, your military leaders, the general staff, and such, are well informed."
Mercenaries of Gor Book 21 Page 262

"Yes, Citizen?" said the regent. I looked up. He was a regal looking fellow, tall and gaunt. He seemed fair, and kindly. I thought he would probably be a conscientious and dedicated public servant, perhaps even a gifted statesman. Certainly he had been high councilor in Ar. Indeed, he was now regent.
Mercenaries of Gor Book 21 Page 289

In the intrigues of the time, and to divert suspicion, Gnieus Lelius, high councilor, and first minister of Ar, he who was acting as regent in the absence of Marlenus, Ubar of the city, had even had me brought to the Central Cylinder under guard, as though I might have been arrested, and was to be examined on some charge.
Renegades of Gor Book 23 Page 35

"How is my old friend Callimachus, commander of the forces of the Vosk League?" asked Aemilianus of Calliodorus. The body sovereign in the Vosk League, incidentally, at least as I understand it, is its High Council, which is composed of representatives from the member towns. This Callimachus, I gathered, then, whoever he was, would be the appointee of that council.
"Hard at work at his desk, attending to numerous administrative duties," said Calliodorus.
"Doubtless he will also be certain to be publicly visible in Victoria," smiled Aemilianus.
"As would you in his situation," smiled Calliodorus.
"Doubtless he will be astonished to learn of yesterday's action at Ar's Station."
"Doubtless," agreed Calliodorus. "We may rest assured, of course, that he will conduct a careful investigation."
Renegades of Gor Book 23 Pages 359 - 360

At this point the young high-caste women of Harfax had approached the high council of the city with a bold plan.
Vagabonds of Gor Book 24 Page 273

Gnieus Lelius, it seems, had been deposed, and Seremides, in a military coup he himself characterized as regrettable, had seized temporary power, a power to be wielded until the High Council, now the highest civilian authority in Ar, could elect a new leader, be it Administrator, Regent, Ubar or Ubara.
Magicians of Gor Book 25 Page 83

"It is Seremides, and members of the High Council!" said a fellow.
Seremides, whom I had not seen this clearly since long ago in Ar, in the days of Minus Tentius Hinrabius, and Cernus, of Ar, with others, members of the High Council, I gathered, now, from the side of the Central Cylinder, ascended the platform.
"He is not in the robes of a penitent or suppliant!" shouted a fellow, joyfully.
"No!" cried others.
"He is in uniform?" cried a man.
"Yes!" said others.
"Look," cried a man. "He has his sword!"
"Seremides retains his sword!" cried a man, calling back to those less near the platform.
There was much cheering greeting this announcement.
Then the High Council stood to one side, and Seremides himself returned to the point on the platform where the rear ramp, that near the Central Cylinder, ascended to its surface.
Magicians of Gor Book 25 Pages 85 - 86

One of the members of the High Council, presumably its executive officer, who would have had been directly subordinate to Gnieus Lelius, the regent, in a civilian capacity, as Seremides would have been in a military capacity, stepped forth to respond to Myron, but he was warned back by Seremides.
Magicians of Gor Book 25 Page 94

I noted that while Myron and his fellows scattered these coins about, Seremides, waving to the crowd, and Talena, lifting her hand, too, and the High Council, withdrew from the surface of the platform.
Magicians of Gor Book 25 Page 95

The crown of Tur leaves was placed upon her head by Myron, but on behalf of the people and councils of Ar. Seremides and most members of the High Council were in attendance. Certain other members of the High Council were asserted to be indisposed. Some rumors had it that they were under house arrest.
Magicians of Gor Book 25 Page 105

We returned our attention to the wall.
"They work cheerfully, and with a will," said Marcus, in disgust.
"It is said that even numbers of the High Council, as a token, have come to the wall, loosened a stone, and tumbled it down."
"Thus do they demonstrate their loyalty to the state," he said.
Magicians of Gor Book 25 Page 119

The most interesting lists, however, seemed to be lists referred to as the various names were called. There were at least five such lists. Three of them, I think, are worth mentioning. One of these was held by a member of the High Council. Another was held by a Cosian counselor. Another was held by one of Talena's aides, at her side.
Magicians of Gor Book 25 Page 140

Talena was then ready to dismiss another woman, but something was called to her attention from the list held by the representative of the High Council, and that woman, too, was consigned to the chain. I gathered that she, or perhaps some relative of hers, had offended some member of the current council.
Magicians of Gor Book 25 Page 153

"I am weary," said Talena.
"Such work is trying," said the representative of the High Council, solicitously.
Magicians of Gor Book 25 Page 155

At last, in view of the distinct unrest in the city, and the possible danger of riots and demonstrations, a communication was received from the Central Cylinder, jointly presented by Talena, Ubara of Ar; Seremides, captain of the guard; Antonius, executive officer of the High Council; Tulbinius, Chief Initiate; and Myron, Polemarkos of Temos, to the effect that Ar might now rejoice, as in these unsettled times Lurius of Jad, in his generosity and wisdom, at the request of the governance of Ar, and in the best interests of the people and councils of Ar, had permitted the Home Stone to be brought to Telnus for safekeeping.
Magicians of Gor Book 25 Pages 162 - 163

"There must be many in Ar who will have scores to settle with the Ubara," he said.
"I suspect," I said, "that these arrests are more the work of Seremides, and Antonius, of the High Council."
"You would defend Talena of Ar?" he asked.
"I would not blame her for more than that for which she is responsible," I said.
"Surely her complicity is clear," he said.
I was silent.
"She is an arch conspirator in the downfall of Ar," he said.
"Perhaps," I said.
"What does she mean to you?" he asked.
"Nothing," I said.
The men were now filing past, with their guards. Their hands, indeed, were manacled behind their backs.
"Some of those men may have been high in the city," said Marcus.
"Undoubtedly," I said.
"Some even have signs about their necks," said Marcus.
"I am not familiar with the politics of Ar," I said, "so I do not recognize the names."
"I know the name of the last fellow," said Marcus, "Mirus Torus."
The sign about his neck had that name on it, and also the word, "Traitor."
"Who is he?" I asked.
"I assume," said Marcus, "that he is the Mirus Torus who was the executive officer of the High Council before Gnieus Lelius, and later held the same office under the regency of Gnieus Lelius."
Magicians of Gor Book 25 Pages 165 - 166

"You will obey me in all things, and not merely because you are a slave," she said, "but because of this." She tapped the tiny cylinder twice. "I now hold all power over you, my dear Milo, even though I do not own you. It is given to me by this note. Should it come to the attention of Seremides, or Myron, or the high council, or an archon of slaves, or perhaps even a guardsman, you may well conjecture what might be your fate."
Magicians of Gor Book 25 Page 447

He was, as I understood it, an officer in the business court, that under the jurisdiction of the commercial praetor, subject, ultimately, to the high council.
Witness of Gor Book 26 Page 507

"Why do you insist upon obstructing us in the line of our duty?" inquired the leader of the strangers. "Do you think no report will be made of this to the administration, to the administrator, to the high council?"
Witness of Gor Book 26 Page 552

"I, and others, have done what we can," he said. "I think that, by now, the councils of a hundred cities have at least been contacted. To be sure, I suspect that the faction-ridden councils of most will ignore the matter, regarding it as ludicrous, dismissing it as the unimportant, irrelevant product of farce, hoax, or hysteria, perhaps, at best, as unwarranted alarms broadcast by madmen."
Conspirators of Gor Book 31 Page 661

If the Merchants are not a high caste, it is clear they are an important caste. It is said they own councils and sway law, that their gold hides and whispers behind thrones, that cities heed their words, that Ubars are often in their debt.
Smugglers of Gor Book 32 Page 64

http://www.thegoreancave.com/civil/highcouncil.php

Administrators and Councils

In times of relative peace and stability, the administration of the Gorean city-state is the responsibility of a council of administrators elected by the high castes of the city. What we understand of this type of government is that the administrator or leader of the council does not retain sole power and that decisions in matters of the state are subject to vote by council.

"...In many cities only members of the high castes may belong to the city's high council. Most Gorean cites are governed by an executive, the Administrator, in conjunction with the high council." Slave Girl of Gor

It remains a matter of perspective what constitutes a state of peace on Gor and more often than not the reader will find that council government is more prevalent in trade centers, peasant villages and cities where a relative neutrality is important to maintain open markets and ensure the city's survival.

There are few examples of councilled cities which are not governed by merchant councils but the actual type of council which Matthew Cabot describes in Tarnsman of Gor, Ko-Ro-Ba being first in our memory. The City of Port Kar's council of captains government would also fall into this category though membership to the council is adapted to the Port Kar reality. Indeed in a city where shipping feeds the majority of the population, it is fairly easy to see why the rulers would be those with the largest fleets.

As is the case for Port Kar, council governments seem to shape themselves after the individual character of the city, placing the power in the hands of those more likely to influence growth and stability.

High Council

In times of relative peace and stability, the administration of the Gorean city-state is the responsibility of a High Council presided over by an Administrator. What we understand of this type of government is that the administrator or leader of the council does not retain sole power and that decisions in matters of the state are subject to vote by council.

"...In many cities only members of the high castes may belong to the city's high council. Most Gorean cites are governed by an executive, the Administrator, in conjunction with the high council. Some cities are governed by a Ubar, who is in effect a military sovereign, sometimes a tyrant, whose word is law." Slave Girl of Gor

High Council are composed and elected by any of the High Castes. The Council is elected for stated terms. In times of crisis whether war or instability, a war chief or Ubar is elected who holds supreme power.

"How is leadership determined in these cities?" I asked. "Rulers," he said, "are chosen from any High Caste."
"High Caste?" I asked.
"Yes, of course," was his answer. "In fact, in the First Knowledge, there is a story told to the young in their public nurseries, that if a man from Lower Caste should come to rule in a city, the city would come to ruin."
. . .
"The High Castes in a given city," said my father, "elect an administrator and council for stated terms. In times of crisis, a war chief, or Ubar, is named, who rules without check and by decree until, in his judgment, the crisis is passed." Tarnsman of Gor

The Chamber of the Council is the room in which the elected representatives of the High Castes of Ko-ro-ba hold their meetings. Each city has such a chamber. It was in the widest of cylinders, and the ceiling was at least six times the height of the normal living level. The ceiling was lit as if by stars, and the walls were of five colors, applied laterally, beginning from the bottom - white, blue, yellow, green, and red, caste colors. Benches of stone, on which the members of the Council sat, rose in five monumental tiers about the walls, one tier for each of the High Castes. These tiers shared the color of that portion of the wall behind them, the caste colors.
The tier nearest the floor, which denoted some preferential status, the white tier, was occupied by Initiates, Interpreters of the Will of the Priest-Kings. In order, the ascending tiers, blue, yellow, green, and red, were occupied by representatives of the Scribes, Builders, Physicians, and Warriors. Tarnsman of Gor

It perhaps need only be added that now being a Warrior, and thus of High Caste, he was now eligible for a seat on the High Council of the city, and even for the throne itself, whether it be that of Administrator or Ubar. Assassin of Gor

High Council can approve a change in caste

I knew that Gorean caste lines, though largely following birth, were not inflexible, and that a man who did not care for his caste might be allowed to change caste, if approved by the High Council of his city, an approval usually contingent on his qualifications for the work of another caste and the willingness of the members of the new caste to accept him as a Caste Brother. Priest-Kings of Gor

Further, because of his services to the state, including the sponsorship of games and races, Cernus was, upon the petition of Saphronicus, Captain of the Taurentians, invested in the scarlet of the Warrior, thus honoring him with High Caste. He did not, of course, give up the House of Cernus nor any other of his widely ranging interests in Ar and beyond it. I do not suppose the Hinrabian Administrator much cared to approve this raising of caste in the case of Cernus, but he lacked the courage to go against the wishes of the Taurentians, and of the city generally. The High Council, with scarcely a murmur, agreed to the investiture. Assassin of Gor

In rare cases, one might have been permitted by the Council of High Caste to raise caste. None of course would accept a lower caste, there were lower caste, the caste of Peasants for example, the most basic Caste of all Gor. Outlaws of Gor

Merchants are not usually permitted a seat on the High Council. That is not to say that Merchants don’t have considerable influence on Council and do not hesitate to exert their influence. Gold, even on Gor, talks. There are some cities, however, particularly close to the barrens whose High Council may be headed by a member of the Merchant caste or formed almost entirely by Merchants.

It might be mentioned, for those unaware of the fact, that the Caste of Merchants is not considered one of the traditional five High Castes of Gor the Initiates, Scribes, Physicians, Builders and Warriors. Most commonly, and doubtless unfortunately, it is only members of the five high castes who occupy positions on the High Councils of the cities. Nonetheless, as might be expected, the gold of merchants, in most cities, exercises its not imponderable influence, not always in so vulgar a form as bribery and gratuities, but more often in the delicate matters of extending or refusing to extend credit in connection with the projects, desires or needs of the High Councils. Nomads of Gor

Portus laughed bitterly. "Without the gold of this house, how could the Administrator and the High Initiate have sponsored the races and the games that won them the favor of the lower castes?"
"But the lower castes do not elect the Administrator or the High Initiate," said Kuurus. "The Administrator is appointed by the High Council of the City and the High initiate by the High Council of the Initiates of the City." Assassin of Gor

Two members of the High Council, who had spoken out against the influence of Merchants in the politics of Ar, presumably a veiled reference to Cernus, were found slain, one cut down by killing knife and another throttled and found dangling from a bridge near his home.
. . .
Then, as I would have expected, within the month, there were rumors of peculation, and an accounting and investigation, theoretically to clear the name of the Hinrabian, was demanded by one of the High Council, a Physician whom I had seen upon occasion in the house. Assassin of Gor

I had spent a night on the road and had arrived in Kailiauk, hungry and muddy, yesterday, shortly after the tenth Ahn, the Gorean noon. Indeed, I had heard the striking of the time bar, mounted on the roof of the Administrator's store, as I had approached the town's outskirts. In Kailiauk, as is not unusual in the towns of the perimeter, the Administrator is of the Merchants.Savages of Gor

Brundisium has no Administrator and no Ubar. It is ruled by a Merchant Council, with its day to day affairs managed by an executive committee, chief of which is the harbor master. Mariners of Gor

High Councils often decide legal matters and enforce the associated penalties.

The High Council receiving the promise of Minus Tentius Hinrabius to depart from the city, did not inflict officially the penalty of exile. Assassin of Gor

Then, with music and ceremony, he would be presented before the High Council of Tyros. He would be presented before them as he had marched, naked and in the chains of a slave. Sarus, leader of the men of Tyros in the forest, his captor, would then give him to the council. He would then be pronounced, by the council, slave of Tyros. He might then be given a name more fitting a slave than Marlenus. Hunters of Gor

"Your scrolls have been examined," said Ligurious. "I, the Tatrix, and those of the high councils, have scrutinized them with more care than they deserved. Their evidences are false, their arguments specious, their claims fraudulent." Kajira of Gor

"The evidence is clear," said Miles of Argentum to the Ubar, Claudius, to the members of the high council, to the others in the room. "I rest my case." Kajira of Gor

"I am not touchy on such matters," said Hassan. "I am not a warrior. I am a businessman. I recognize the right of Claudius and the high council to assurances in these matters. Indeed, it is their duty, in so far as they can, to protect Argentum against deception and fraud. Kajira of Gor

"Examine the seals," said Ligurious, triumphantly. "See which bears the true seal of Corcyrus!"
The broken seals were brought to Claudius. He put them on the table before him. Members of the high council crowded about him.
. . .
The seal was examined.
"It is the seal of. Corcyrus," said Claudius.
The letter was opened and examined.
"The descriptions tally with the garments brought to us by Ligurious," said one of the members of the high council.
"Who has signed the letter?" inquired Ligurious.
"Menicius," said one of the members of the high council, looking up. Kajira of Gor

"Your motivations were more complex," I said, "and deeper, and more painful and more cruel. It was not within your province to determine my innocence or guilt. That responsibility was that of Claudius, the Ubar of Argentum, and the high council. In no way was it incumbent on you to risk your commission, your future, your honor, your life, on what must at best have been little more than a remote possibility." Kajira of Gor

High Councils rule over many facets of daily life on Gor including graineries, import duties, grant approve for troupes of players to perform within the city, negotiate treaties with other cities and states

In the last year heavy import duties had been levied by the high council of Vonda against the wines of certain other cities, in particular against the Ka-la-nas of Ar. Fighting Slave of Gor

Such troupes, incidentally, must petition for the right to perform within a city. Usually a sample performance, or a part of a performance, is required, staged before the high council, or a committee delegated by such a council. Sometimes the actresses are expected to perform privately, being "tested," so to speak, for selected officials. If the troupe is approved it may, for a fee, be licensed. Players of Gor

Everyone in the crowd seemed to be on their feet, even those who sat in the marbled tiers beneath the awnings of purple silk. I rose also that I might see. Near the finishing perches, nine of which were standing for this race, were the areas reserved for the Administrator, the High Initiate, and members of the High Council. These areas were almost porches, extending beyond the regular stands, covered with awnings, on which were mounted sets of curule chairs, at different levels. Assassin of Gor

"Belnar, and other members of the high council," he said, "have been conducting negotiations with individuals in various states, in particular, Cos and Ar. I do not fully understand all that is transpiring, but I have some idea. These negotiations, I gather, are generally in cipher. I would like to guarantee the security of those ciphers. One set of cipher keys, at least, is doubtless somewhere here. If you have found them, turn them over to me. Too, surrender yourself to me, to be bound as a prisoner." Players of Gor

High Councils are not restricted to City government. Indeed many Castes have their own High Councils which governs Caste behavior and one would surmise, administers the Caste Code. Individual High Councils of various castes include rune-priests, players, physicians, warriors and assassins

it is my understanding, there might have been decided, however, a generation ago, by one of the rare meetings of the high council of rune-priests, attended by the high rune-priests of each district, that thralls should no longer be sacrificed; Marauders of Gor

Most Gorean cities now, at least in the south, had accepted a standard tournament Kaissa, agreed upon by the high council of the caste of players. Beasts of Gor

The Cylinder of Initiates demanded that the High Council of the Caste of Physicians put an end to our work, not only that it be discontinued but that our results to that date be destroyed. Assassin of Gor

Incidentally, there are many versions of Kaissa played on Gor. In some of these versions, the names of the pieces differ, and, in some, even more alarmingly, their nature and power. The caste of Players, to its credit, has been attempting to standardize Kaissa for years.
A major victory in this matter was secured a few years ago when the caste of Merchants, which organizes and manages the Sardar Fairs, agreed to a standardized version, proposed by, and provisionally approved by, the high council of the caste of Players, for the Sardar tournaments, one of the attractions of the Sardar Fairs. Players of Gor

How is it, I wondered, that each time I put my food down, my head hurts. That was interesting. Could it be normal? There was nothing in the codes of the warriors, as I recalled, that explicitly demanded resistance to brigands, though perhaps it was presupposed. It was an interesting interpretative question, probably one calling for the attention of high councils. Mercenaries of Gor

"If there is a concern here," said a man, "it is to be taken up as a matter between you and the Black Court."
I saw that this did not much please Demetrion. The business of the Black Court was not one in which men lightly dabbled. In many cases one was not even sure who was, and who was not, a member of the black caste. I recalled, from the tale of the stranger, that some evidence had suggested that Tyrtaios, who may have had much to do with the attempted desertion, and who had disappeared from the castle of Lord Temmu, might be of the Assassins. Mariners of Gor

High Councils can also rule over affiliations, confederations and leagues. These would involve perhaps many different individual cities that have banded together for a common purpose. Examples of this are the High Council of the Salerian Confederation and the High Council of the Vosk League.


Ti was the largest and most populous city of the Salerian Confederation. It had, to date, refused to involve itself in the machinations of Vonda and Cos.
"Surely it will be only a matter of time," I said.
"I suspect so," said the man. "Even now Ebullius Gaius Cassius, of the Warriors, Administrator of Ti, meets with the high council of Ti." Rouge of Gor

"The appointment was made earlier this afternoon, in a secret session of the High Council of the Vosk League," said Tasdron, "that body sovereign in the league, composed of representatives drawn from all the member towns." Guardsman of Gor

"How is my old friend Callimachus, commander of the forces of the Vosk League?" asked Aemilianus of Calliodorus. The body sovereign in the Vosk League, incidentally, at least as I understand it, is its High Council, which is composed of representatives from the member towns. This Callimachus, I gathered, then, whoever he was, would be the appointee of that council.
"Hard at work at his desk, attending to numerous administrative duties," said Calliodorus.
"Doubtless he will also be certain to be publicly visible in Victoria," smiled Aemilianus.
"As would you in his situation," smiled Calliodorus.
"Doubtless he will be astonished to learn of yesterday's action at Ar's Station."
"Doubtless," agreed Calliodorus. "We may rest assured, of course, that he will conduct a careful investigation." Renegades of Gor

Administration of the Laws of Gor

Goreans don’t really have a concept of nation or country as those on Earth do. Whereas men on Earth think of Cities as belonging to country, the crucial political entity on Gor is the City or Village itself. To the Gorean way of thinking all things converge on the City, or the center of the Hub. On Earth it is more outward look towards the imaginary boundaries of their countries.

"There is no Gorean expression for `country' in the precise sense of a nation. Men of Earth think of cities as being within countries. Men of Gor tend to think of cities and the lands controlled by them. The crucial political entity for Goreans tends to be the city or village, the place where people and power are. There can be, of course, leagues among cities and tangential territories. Men of Earth tend to think of territory in a manner that might be considered circumferential, whereas Goreans tend to think of it as a more radial sort of thing. Consider a circle with a point at its center. The man of Earth might conceive of the territory as bounded by the circumference; the man of Gor would be more likely to think of the territory as a function of the sweep of the radius which emanates from the central point. Geometrically, of course, these two conceptions are equivalent. Psychologically, however, they are not. The man of Earth looks to the periphery; the man of Gor looks to the center. The man of Earth thinks of territory as static, regardless of the waxing and wanings of the power that maintains it; the Gorean tends to think of territory as more dynamic, a realistic consequence of the geopolitical realities of power centers. Perhaps it would be better to say that the Gorean tends to think more in teens of sphere of influence than he does in terms of imaginary lines on maps which may not reflect current historical realities." Fighting Slave of Gor

Generally speaking, Gorean civil law is made by whatever ruling body holds power at one given time and applied mainly in primitive fashion, by various magistrates. Laws are generally particular to the City/area in which the Gorean resides. Laws in Port Kar, for instance can be very different from laws in Ko-ro-ba. A concept on Gor known as the “City State”.

'The city-state,' said my father, speaking to me late one afternoon, 'is the basic political division on Gor - hostile cities controlling what territory they can in their environs, surrounded by a no-man's land of open ground on every side.' 'How is leadership decided in these cities?' I asked. 'Rulers,' he said, 'are chosen from any High Caste.' " Tarnman of Gor

There does not seem very much room for doubt in this system as essentially, those trials the reader finds in the books are mostly a matter of sentencing since the accused has most often been caught in the act. There will, however, be mention of the law which was broken as well as what is known for that city/area to be the common penalty for this type of offense.

An advantage of this system is that wars tend to be very local. Only a few cities and their associated villages tend to be involved rather than the concept of World Wars that plagued Earth in the 20th century. Gorean warfare also tends to be conducted by trained men of their Castes (Warriors) rather than the arming of millions of “citizens” with slaughter of hundreds or thousands of people is not a concept Goreans are familiar with.

"One result of this attitude is that most wars, most armed altercations, tend to be very local. They tend to involve, usually, only a few cities and their associated villages and territories, rather than gigantic political entities such as nations. One result of this is that the number of people affected by warfare on Gor usually tends, statistically, to be quite limited. Also, it might be noted that most Gorean warfare is carried out largely by relatively small groups of professional soldiers, seldom more than a few thousand in the field at a given time, trained men, who have their own caste. Total warfare, with its arming of millions of men, and its broadcast slaughter of hundreds of populations, is Gorean neither in concept nor in practice. Goreans, often castigated for their cruelty, would find such monstrosities unthinkable." Fighting Slave of Gor

Of course, within the Gorean reality, the slave is not a citizen and hence not entitled to trial or defense per se. A great number of laws do pertain to what slaves may or may not do and failure to abide by the rules can be cause for punishment at the discretion of the free persons involved; these things do not require legal proceedings. It is also of note that a slave who participates in criminal activity by obeying the command of their master or another free person is almost invariably found to have done no wrong. Indeed, since the slave is to obey without question, she would be considered to have done the right thing no matter what the command is.

If the events found along Tarl Cabot's journey are a reflection of what is most common, one would have to conclude that criminals end up in collars and chains, be it the collar of a work chain or a pleasure garden. Men will more often be executed by whatever means is popular in the area or sent to work chains temporarily for more minor crimes, whereas women are more likely to be enslaved, especially if they are beautiful.

So how were Cities run, who ran them and therefore who would carry out the laws of those cities? John Norman seems to take many of his titles from Ancient Cultures, particularly Roman and Greek, of Earth. City rules, mostly magistrates of one type or another included: (Also see Rulers)

Aediles

An Aedile is usually part of a board of Magistrates that most often in charge of public buildings, streets, games and markets

"Two days ago, aediles had come to the camp to inspect the chains. They found none which contained illicit prisoners. No mention was made of the fact that a third of the chains was absent. The next day the auspices had been taken, and, seemingly, all had gone well. The chains in camp were already back at work. Preceding the time of taking the auspices, of course, and until they have been taken, things are very quiet." Dancer of Gor

Archon of Records

A Magistrate and an authoritative figure, the Archon of Records would be the keeper of records for the City

One of the two magistrates, he who was senior, Tolnar, of the second Octavii, an important gens but one independent of the well-known Octavii, sometimes spoken of simply as the Octavii, or sometimes as the first Octavii, deputy commissioner in the records office, much of which had been destroyed in a recent fire, was at the other portal. His colleague, Venlisius, a bright young man who was now, by adoption, a scion of the Toratti, was with him. Venlisius was in the same office. He was records officer, or archon of records, for the Metellan district, in which we were located. Both magistrates wore their robes, and fillets, of office." Magicians of Gor

City Council:

Most Gorean Cities have a City Council elected by members of the High Castes made up from members of the High Castes only. While City Council’s may be only comprised of High Castes, the Caste of Merchants supported by its often vast wealth have their influence as well.

The High Castes in a given city elect an administrator and council for stated terms …Tarnsman of Gor

"Whereas it is only the men of high caste who elect members to the Council of the City, the gold of merchants and the will of the general populace is seldom disregarded in their choices." Assassin of Gor

"In many cities only members of the high castes may belong to the city's high council. Most Gorean cites are governed by an executive, the Administrator, in conjunction with the high council." Slave Girl of Gor

"The Chamber of the Council is the room in which the elected representatives of the High Castes of Ko-ro-ba hold their meetings. Each city has such a chamber. It was in the widest of cylinders, and the ceiling was at least six times the height of the normal living level. The ceiling was lit as if by stars, and the walls were of five colors, applied laterally, beginning from the bottom - white, blue, yellow, green, and red, caste colors. Benches of stone, on which the members of the Council sat, rose in five monumental tiers about the walls, one tier for each of the High Castes. These tiers shared the color of that portion of the wall behind them, the caste colors. The tier nearest the floor, which denoted some preferential status, the white tier, was occupied by Initiates, Interpreters of the Will of Priest-Kings. In order, representatives of the Scribes, Builders, Physicians, and Warriors occupied the ascending tiers, blue, yellow, green, and red." Tarnman of Gor

Village Council

Villages are usually associated with a nearby City. Most often villages are populated by peasants and have their own Councils. Cities protect their villages as products and foods are produced their on which the Cities depend.

"There were the northern islands, of course, and they were numerous, but small, extending in an archipelago like a scimitar northeastward from Cos, which lay some four hundred pasangs west of Port Kar. But these islands were not united, and, indeed, the government of them was usually no more than a village council. They usually possessed no vessels more noteworthy than clinker-built skiffs and coasters." Raiders of Gor

City Administrator

From the elected City Council, an executive, the Administrator rules the City in conjunction with the High Council. While Council is made up of the High Castes, it is interesting to note that while the Warrior Caste may be considered to be the lowest of the High Castes, most often the Administrators and Ubars for a City are selected for this task.

"In the center of the amphitheater was a throne of office, and on this throne, in his robe of state - a plain brown garment, the humblest cloth in the hall - sat my father, Administrator of Ko-ro-ba, once Ubar, War Chieftain of the city. At his feet lay a helmet, shield, spear, and sword." "Tarnsman of Gor

"In many cities only members of the high castes may belong to the city's high council. Most Gorean cites are governed by an executive, the Administrator, in conjunction with the high council." Slave Girl of Gor

"The high castes are normally accounted five in number--the Warriors, the Builders, the Physicians, the Scribes, and the Initiates. The Initiates are sometimes thought of as the highest of the five high castes, and the Warriors as the least of the five high castes. In actual fact, the Warriors commonly produce the administrators and ubars for a city. It is not easy in a world such as this to deprive those who are skilled with weapons their share of authority. If it is not given to them, they will take it." Witness of Gor

Judges

Judges, as on Earth would be the ones to prescribe punishment. These are magistrates as well. On Gor, most often when a person is in a “trial” they have been caught “in the act” so the job of the judge is made easier than perhaps those of Earth.

"I saw first the girl, stumbling. She was already stripped. Her hands were tied behind her back. Something, pushing her from behind, had been fastened on her neck. Behind her came a flat-topped wagon, of some four feet in height. It was moved by eight tunicked, collared slave girls, two to each wheel, pushing at the wheels. It was guided by a man walking behind it, by means of a lever extending back, under the wagon, from the front axle. Flanking the wagon, on both sides, were the musicians, with their drums and flutes. Behind the wagon, in the white robes trimmed with gold and purple of merchant magistrates, came five men. I recognized them as judges." Hunters of Gor

Magistrates

Magistrates are the rulers in a typical City on Gor occupy most of the administrative positions. They are the Aediles, Archons, Judges, even Executioners.

"Both magistrates wore their robes, and fillets, of office. They also carried their wands of office, which, I suspect, from the look of them, and despite the weapons laws ofCos, contained concealed blades. I was pleased to hope that these fellows were such as to put the laws of Ar before the ordinances of Cos." Magicians of Gor

"Lying on the ground, bound hand and foot, still clad in the white robe, was Talena. The point of the sharpened impaling post lay near her. As the tarn had landed, her executioners, two burly, hooded magistrates, had scrambled to their feet and fled to safety. The Initiates themselves do not execute their victims, as the shedding of blood is forbidden by those beliefs they regard as sacred." Tarnsman of Gor

"One of the two magistrates, he who was senior, Tolnar, of the second Octavii, an important gens but one independent of the well-known Octavii, sometimes spoken of simply as the Octavii, or sometimes as the first Octavii, deputy commissioner in the records office, much of which had been destroyed in a recent fire, was at the other portal. His colleague, Venlisius, a bright young man who was now, by adoption, a scion of the Toratti, was with him. Venlisius was in the same office. He was records officer, or archon of records, for the Metellan district, in which we were located. Both magistrates wore their robes, and fillets, of office." Magicians of Gor

Merchants Administration

Although most ports and islands on Gor and ruled in a similar fashion to Cities, the Exchange islands are administered by the Caste of Merchants. Port Kar, is different again and is run by a board of four magistrates, known as the Port Consortium and they report directly to the Council of Captains.

"Also known as exchange islands, they are administered as Free Ports by the Merchants. Included are Teletus, Tabor, and Scagnar. Others were Farnacium, Hulneth and Asperiche. In the south are Anango and Landa, and in the far north, Hunger and Skjern, west of Torvaldsland. These islands, and free ports on the coast such as Lydius and Helmutsport, Schendi and Bazi make possible the commerce between Cos and Tyros and cities of the mainland." Raiders of Gor

"Most ports and islands on Thassa, of course, are not managed by the Merchants, but, commonly, by magistrates appointed by the city councils. In Port Kar, my city, the utilization of the facilities of the port is regulated by a board of four magistrates, the Port Consortium, which reports directly to the Council of Captains, which, since the downfall of the warring Ubars, is sovereign in the city." Hunters of Gor

Polemarkos

A Military Govenor put into place when one City has conquered another and in effect rules on behalf of the Ruler of the Conquering City. Temos had a Polemarkos in Prize of Gor when it was ruled by Cos. Myron ruled on behalf of Lurius of Jad, Ubar of Cos.

There is some pretense that the city is free, but in fact it is not. The true ruler is, I suppose, the military governor, Myron, polemarkos of Temos, commander of the occupational forces, or perhaps actually distant Lurius of Jad, Ubar of Cos. Prize of Gor

Praetors

The Praetor is a magistrate who is in charge of Prefects. He is indentified with nine strips on His sleeve, Prefects have five and lesser officials have three. Praetors, traditionally will be second on the City Council Hierarchy to the Administrator.

"In a moment or two, I stopped a few yards from a registration desk. There one of Ina's pursuers, I recognized him from earlier, was making inquiries of one of the five camp prefects, fellows under the camp praetor. The perfects are identified by five slash marks, alternately blue and yellow, the slavers' colors, on their left sleeve, the praetor himself by nine such stripes, and lesser officials by three. Turning about, apparently alerted by the prefect's notice, the fellow with one hand suddenly turned the prefect's desk to its side so that it stood wall-like between us, and hurried behind it." Vagabonds of Gor

Prefects

Prefects, as most City officials, are Magistrates. The would be in charge of very specific areas of the City, for example Public Games and would report to Praetors. Prefects tend to have five slashes or stripes on Their robes where Praetors will have nine. Lessor officials often have only three.

"I looked about, through the curtain, at the guests of the Lady Florence, other than the Lady Melpomene. The fellow from Venna, clad In white and gold, was Philebus, a bounty creditor. He was known to the merchants of several cities. Such men buy bills at discount and then set themselves to collect, as they can, their face value. They are tenacious in their trade. I did not know the business of the two men from Ar. They were Tenalion, and his man, Ronald. The fourth man was Brandon. He was from Vonda. He was a prefect in that city. His certifications on certain documents would be important. The two ladies, both of Vonda, were Leta and Perimene, both friends of the Ladies Florence and Melpomene. As free citizens of Vonda they could witness legal transactions." Fighting Slave of Gor

Quaestor

Quaestors are high ranking magistrates on Gor. Most often they are in charge of financial matters, banking for instance or other areas of Administration. The would rank higher than the Praetors.

"Some may have been as innocent as those I had lured; others might have been murderers and brigands, suitably enchained for the expiation of sentences, their custody having been legally transferred to Ionicus, my master, at the payment of a prisoner's fee, by the writ of a praetor or, in more desperate cases, by the order of a quaestor." Dancer of Gor

Tatrix

A Tatrix is a female ruler and as such is a rarity on Gor. Tharna being the City most famous for having a Tatrix.

“What is a Tatrix?” I asked. “A female ruler,” she said." Kajira of Gor

"In a Gorean city it was not difficult for a woman to travel in-cognito. By the robes of concealment this is made easy. I wore the robes of a woman of high, caste, today the yellow of the Builders. Drusus Rencius wore a nondescript tunic and a swirling maroon cape. The only weaponry he carried, that I could detect, was his sword. He might have been any mercenary or armed servant, in attendance on a lady. I was pleased to travel incognito in the city, in this fashion. Other- wise, had I gone abroad in the robes of the Tatrix, we would have been encumbered by guards and crowds; we would have had to travel in a palanquin; we would have been forced to tolerate the annunciatory drums and trumpets, and put up with all the noisy, ostentatious, dreary panoply of office. To be sure I sometimes found such accouterments stimulating and gratifying but I certainly did not want them every time I wished to put my foot outside the palace gate." Kajira of Gor

"The balance of mutual regard is always delicate and, statistically, it is improbable that it can long be maintained throughout an entire population. Accordingly, gradually exploiting, perhaps unconsciously, the opportunities afforded by the training of children and the affections of their men, the women of Tharna improved their position considerably over the generations, also adding to their social power the economic largesse of various funds and inheritances. Eventually, largely via the conditioning of the young and the control of education, those superiorities which the female naturally possesses came to be enlarged on at the expense of those possessed by the male. And just as in our own world it is possible to condition entire populations to believe what is, from the standpoint of another population, incomprehensible and absurd, so in Tharna both the men and the women came eventually to believe the myths or the distortions advantageous to female dominance. Thus it was, gradually and unnoticed, that the gynocracy of Tharna came to be established, and honored with the full weight of tradition and custom, those invisible bonds heavier than chains because they are not understood to exist." Outlaw of Gor

"In a city such as Tharna the men, taught to regard themselves as beasts, as inferior beings, seldom develop the full respect for themselves essential to true manhood. But even more strangely, the women of Tharna do not seem content under the gynocracy. Although they despise men and congratulate themselves on their more lofty status it seems to me that they, too, fail to respect themselves. Hating their men, they hate themselves." Outlaw of Gor

Ubar

In times of crisis, the City Council elects as War Chief, known as an Ubar. He rules without check and by His decree alone until, in His judgment, the crisis has passed.

"The High Castes in a given city elect an administrator and council for stated terms. In times of crisis, a war chief, or Ubar, is named, who rules without check and by decree until, in his judgment, the crisis is passed. "Normally the office is surrendered after the passing of the crisis. It is part of the Warrior’s Code." ...................Those who do not desire to surrender their power, are usually deserted by their men. The offending war chief is simply abandoned." Tarnsman of Gor

"To truly see a Ubar," I said, "to look into his heart can be a fearful thing." "Only one can sit upon the throne," said Msaliti. "That is a saying of the north," I said. "I know," said Msaliti. "But it is a saying that is also known east of Schendi." "Even east of Schendi," I smiled, "the throne is a lonely country." "He who sits upon the throne, it is said," said Msaliti, "is the most alone of men." I nodded. Perhaps it was just as well not to have looked too deeply into the eyes of Bila Huruma. It is not always desirable to look deeply into the eyes of a Ubar." Explorers of Gor

"I then, truly, for the first time looked into the eyes of Bila Huruma. He sat upon the high platform, above the others, solitary and isolated, the necklace of panther teeth about his neck, the lamps below him. I sensed, then, for a moment, what it must be to be a Ubar. It was then, in that instant, that I first truly saw him, as he was, and as he must be. I looked then on loneliness and decision, and power. The Ubar must contain within himself dark strengths. He must be capable of doing, as many men are not, what is necessary. Only one can sit upon the throne, as it is said. And, as it is said, he who sits upon the throne is the most alone of men. It is he who must be a stranger to all men, and to whom all men must be strangers. The throne indeed is a lonely country. Many men desire to live there but few, I think, could bear its burdens. Let us continue to think of our Ubars as men much like ourselves, only perhaps a bit wiser, or stronger, or more fortunate. That way we may continue to be comfortable with them, and, to some extent, feel ourselves their superior. But let us not look into their eyes too closely, for we might see there that which sets them apart from us. It is not always desirable to look deeply into the eyes of a Ubar." Explorers of Gor

Gorean Governance inc. Chart

This really applies mostly to the so called High Cities, or the civilized parts of Gor.

Priest Kings are the large golden insects like giant ants or praying mantis extra-terrestrial in orgin that rule Gor, having moved the planet from some other location and live in the Sadar Mountains. If you go to the Sadar Mountains without the Priest Kings permission your body parts rain down over the plains below for you get thrown off the mountains to your death. Carasses are found at the foot of the mountains in the desert. Animals refuse to go there and if you force a tarn to go he get disorientated and falls form the sky. The Priest Kings control Gor and make the laws. The main thing is they limit technology specifically weapons to a subset of rather primitive ones. They regard humans as primitive and violent. Weapons are things like swords, crossbows, and that sort of thing. The Priest Kings are rather neglectful, sort of benevolent dictators and are at war with the Kurii.

The Kurii are responsible for introducing advanced weapons. Sometimes Kurii provide transport and bring in weapons, sometimes their own and sometimes those of earth. If the Priest Kings notice they will destroy the person and weapon with the blue flame of death. Kurii look like abominable snowmen and eat slave girls or keep them as pets. There is always spies and tension between the Priest Kings and the Kur. Humans spy for both sides.

The Initiates are the Priesthood of Gor. Some of the Initiates are directly hooked to the Priest Kings via implants in their heads and spy for the Priest Kings, though you do not have to be an Initiate to have an impant. Thought the Priest Kings are amused and puzzled by the Initiates and people worshipping them as gods. Everyone in Gor is to go to the fairs at the foot of the Sadar Mountains once in their lives. These fairs are to be conducted by the Initiates but really are run by the merchants. At these fairs standardizing of weights and measures are set and the laws for that year are made called the Merchant Law. Merchant Law is the same from city to city but the laws in each city vary from city to city. So really the merchants have the real power of Gor, but they keep this to themselves. Merchants are of the low caste.

The low castes receive a limited form of education know as first knowledge. It includes only enough detail as is needed to function and some deliberately incorrect teaching designed to help keep them content with their lot. So they are taught Gor is a flat disk and if they travel to far, they might fall off the edge. They have superstitions about the power someone can get by knowing their "real" name and so often are addresses simply as by their profession or by nicknames. They are particularlysusceptible to the Priest Kings and at times where afraid to speak about them just incase something was said that would get you flamed. Note that the merchants interact so often with the high caste scribes so often that they do not seem to have the same restriction as the others of low castes. Some might say that the scribes and merchants control Gor together.

There are five High Castes. The Initiates spoke of already. Scribes are next and our color is blue. We are responsible for most things that involve the running of government. Scribes are the teachers, accountants, administrators, librarians. Most of the lower caste are illiterate and some of the high castes, though scribes are all able to read and write. Others in the high caste build (builder - yellow), heal (healers - green), or fight (warriors - scarlet) of the high caste. All high caste have Second Knowledge which includes an understanding of astronomy, knowledge of Earth, of history, geography, in short a basic good education. Most Gorean live in cities, towns, or villages. This is because Gor is a dangerous place and people need to band together to stay safe. Each cities is run by their own set of laws which are run by an Administrator except in times of war.

The Administrator is a single person who has basic charge of everything but who answers to the High Council who wears brown, the color of peasants so brown keeps the Administrator humble. Also all the crap hits the Administrators and stops with them.

The High Council consists of representatives of each High Caste. In many cities we have elected on representative of each High Caste as the "High" representative of each. Also some cities have a caste leader know as the "Chief" of which there is no such distinction in the writings of Gor where the "High" and "Chief" appear to be used interchangably. The fact that the decriptions of the High Council includes many people, benches full of each caste. Some cities may elect their representatives for each caste where others may appoint theirs. It is also said that cities are run by a few powerful families. Often these high caste representatives of the High Council are voted for only by male caste members, which seems to be a Gorean standard. Though this varies from city to city. There also is often tension between the High Castes members; Scribes and Physicians versus Warriors, Warriors and Scribes versus Builders, Builders and Physicians versus Scribes, and everyone against the Initiates thought tolerate them since the Priest Kings do. Some cities have a "High Merchant" who speaks for the lower castes as part of the High Council but he does not have a vote with in the Council. So if a slaver, or any other of the lower caste of the city wishes a voice, would speak to the High Merchant and the merchant would bring up the concerns to the High Council.

Then there are the Ubars of which there seems to be two types. There are the "nice" Ubars who are given absolute power in times of war, appointed by the High Council and chosen from among the warriors by the warriors. They give the power back after the crisis is over. Such a Ubar still answers to the High Council. Then there is the Ubars who declare themselves in charge and because the warriors back them they seize power and as such "bad" Ubars. These Ubars are rare in the writings of Gor and are not tolerated.

Depending on who is in power, either the Ubar of High Council makes the laws for the city and enforce them. Law is enforced by warriors but warriors are directed by and controlled by the Magistrates and Prefects. There are two types of Magistrates. They are the merchant magistrates whose job it is to enforce and to support merchant law. Then there are the city magistrates who are responsible for enforcing the city law. Magistrates are technically scribes. They are one of the subcastes of scribes. I would say Magistrates are more a combination of Lawyer and Judge, but people can appeal their ruling and so you get Praetors who are judges as well. Because magistrates are appointed in a particular city you may find someone who is a magistrate who is not a scribe. This goes for Ambassadors as well. There is one instance in the writing of Gor where an Ambassador was a warrior, which make sense because some warriors are highly literate and extremely well read. So in general Ambassadors and Magistrates are scribes but that is a matter of convenience and not an absolute rule. Others mentioned would include Archons who seem to be record keepers who judge from the records in the past. Ubara, who is like a queen with great power or who is one of the companions of an Ubar. There is no known case in the writings of Gor where an Ubara who was without an Ubar had power except for Talena who was called "Regent" or the "Tatrix" which is specific for the female leader of the city of Tharna.

"Gnieus Lelius, it seems, had been deposed, and Seremides, in a military coup he himself characterized as regrettable, had seized temporary power, a power to be wielded until the High Council, now the highest civilian authority in Ar, could elect a new leader, be it Administrator, Regent, Ubar or Ubara."

Magicians of Gor pg 83

"There are two systems of courts on Gor - those of the City, under the jurisdiction of an Administrator or Ubar, and those of the Initiates, under the jurisdiction of the High Initiate of the given city; the division corresponds roughly to that between civil and what, for lack of a better word, might be called ecclesiastical courts. The areas of jurisdiction of these two types of courts are not well defined; the Initiates claim ultimate jurisdiction in all matters, in virtue of their supposed relation to the Priest-Kings, but this claim is challenged by civil jurists. There would, of course, in these days be no challenging the justice of the Initiates. I noted with repulsion that on the roof of the Cylinder of Justice there shimmered a public impaling spear of polished silver, some fifty feet high, gleaming, looking like a needle in the distance."

Tarnsman of Gor pgs 193-194