<P> There were many social groups that were excluded from the four broad categories in the social hierarchy . These included soldiers and guards , religious clergy and diviners , eunuchs and concubines , entertainers and courtiers , domestic servants and slaves , prostitutes , and low class laborers other than farmers and artisans . The emperor -- embodying a heavenly mandate to judicial and executive authority -- was on a social and legal tier above the gentry and the exam - drafted scholar - officials . Although his royal family and noble extended family were also highly respected , they did not command the same level of authority . </P>
<P> There were many social groups that were excluded from the four broad categories in the social hierarchy . These included soldiers and guards , religious clergy and diviners , eunuchs and concubines , entertainers and courtiers , domestic servants and slaves , prostitutes , and low class laborers other than farmers and artisans . The emperor -- embodying a heavenly mandate to judicial and executive authority -- was on a social and legal tier above the gentry and the exam - drafted scholar - officials . Although his royal family and noble extended family were also highly respected , they did not command the same level of authority . </P>
where does the emperor rank in ancient china 's social hierarchy
where does the emperor rank in ancient china 's social hierarchy
on a social and legal tier above the gentry and the exam - drafted scholar - officials
on a social and legal tier above the gentry and the exam - drafted scholar - officials