Note 128 — Chapter I · HOMER—THE POSITION OF FISHERMEN

“With the division of the people of the Empire into four distinct classes—scholars, agriculturists, artisans, and merchants—the men and women who followed the trade of fishing for a livelihood were placed in an anomalous position from not being included in any of the four classes. Thus socially ostracised to a certain extent, they clung to themselves, forming groups or colonies of their own along the coasts or on isolated islands. They lived in a world of their own, knowing nothing of the affairs of their country and caring less. To this day they do not come into direct contact with their countrymen on the mainland.” Wei-Chung W. Yen: Fourth International Fishing Congress at Washington, 1908. Bulletin of Bureau of Fisheries, No. 664, p. 376.