On being frank about rank

.. we aim to clear the mist and set the ball rolling ..

Setting Sun and Fog, by Camille Pissarro (Date: 1891)

In medieval society ‘ranking’ moves to 1st place

Ranking is hierarchy for governance, and it began with type 1 and type 2. The strongest, wisest, cleverest, bravest and charismatic individuals in the wandering prehistoric human bands of Eurasia were persons who held highest ‘rank’. These role players wielded authority. If they spoke ‘publicly’ they were listened to with reverence. When they barked an order while out hunting or skirmishing they were obeyed.

Nor did the type 3 chief require an elaborate or formal designated ranking hierarchy. He relied in ad hoc ways on family, friends, and customary ‘advisers’ among whom the ‘specialists’ and ‘shamans’ were the most prominent. Formal hierarchies of rank began only with type 4 administration for obvious reasons we need not repeat here. As I have previously noted, administered rankings began in Mesopotamian households and then evolved in skill, scope and complexity within core templat…