Apart from the kings, the most powerful  people in society were the government officials, priests, and soldiers. After them were the merchants, teachers, laborers, farmers and craftsmen. Generally speaking, the "normal people." These people worked for pay, and were could do anything they wished as long as it was within the law.  At the bottom of the social scale were the slaves. The slaves worked for the others, and instead of getting paid, the slaves received a place of shelter for their work. These slaves were usually captured in battle.