There were burial clubs and all sorts of fraternal organizations, traveling craftsmen of various sorts. Then the race problem was acute. The Jews stood aloof from the Gentiles and were cordially disliked by them in return. The Greeks spoke of others as barbarians. The Romans who were citizens held themselves above those who were not, freedmen, slaves or what not, the motley crew of many lands ruled by Rome. There was no democracy, but a real caste system, based on money and power. 8. Business Activity