While the origin and advancement of civilisation is seen as a blessing by some; it is a curse for others because it divides the society into two classes; the rich and the poor or the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’. Being rich and powerful, the rich enjoy all benefits of culture while the deprived spend their lives in misery and poverty.

Ancient Roman society was divided into two classes, the patricians and the plebeians who had vastly different lifestyles. The Roman aristocracy built great houses with courtyards and fountains, reception and dining halls. There were couches for guests to lounge and rest; floors were decorated with mosaics and the walls had paintings that depicted beautiful scenery. During winter, the floor was kept warm through a heating system. Attached to the house was a garden, where the owners could stroll with their guests.

At elaborate dinner parties, the best food was served while jugglers, musicians and dancers entertained the guests. Occasionally, there would be discussions on philosophy and literature. The Roman nobility built villas in the countryside which they would visit from time to time for respite from the strenuous city life. A large number of domestic slaves served the Roman aristocrats to provide leisure and comfort to their masters. The presence of slaves changed the outlook of the nobility who looked down upon them as subhuman, treating them with contempt.

On the other hand, the majority of poor people lived in congested and overcrowded buildings situated in narrow streets with no sanitation or garbage disposal system. Mostly, the poor lived in a small, windowless room without a kitchen and a toilet; the only furniture being a bed, a cupboard and a small table on which was placed the figurine of a deity. During winter, the room was kept warm by burning charcoal which would fill it with smoke.

The poor would eat at noisy and crowded taverns and often get into brawls. If there was no money, they would look in the garbage for something to eat.

Those who lived on the top floor climbed no less than 200 steps to reach their home. In case of fire, which occasionally erupted, they would easily be burnt alive as there was no escape route. In old age, there was no source of income or pension and in case of death, when no one claimed their body, it would either be thrown into the river Tiber or buried in a pit which served as a grave for common people. Every year, some 1,500 poor people who died in this way were buried in this common grave.

As a result of living in these conditions, there was disease and pestilence which mercilessly killed scores of people. When the river flooded the streets, garbage and human waste would be scattered everywhere.

With this huge difference in the lifestyles of the two classes, there was no close relationship or understanding in between but instead a strong divide. When the Roman Empire declined and the German tribes invaded the city of Rome, the nobility escaped to take refuge in their countryside villas while the invaders looted and plundered, and ravaged the city. In all probability, the underprivileged Romans who had absolutely nothing to lose must also have taken advantage of this situation and retrieved their share from the pillage.

In Pakistan, those who have become rich seem to be following the pattern of the Romans by building palatial houses with a fleet of domestic servants. It has become a general practice to build farm houses where they can escape to spend time away from the noise and pollution of the cities. They display their wealth by holding great feasts, celebrations and travelling aboard for entertainment. Being rich and powerful, they dominate politics and form a part of the ruling classes.

On the other hand, the majority of people live in kachi abadis or shanty towns where the houses have only one or two rooms often accommodating the entire family consisting of six to 10 members. There are no facilities for running water, uninterrupted power or gas supply. Their homes are surrounded by garbage heaps causing pollution and disease. Deprived of their basic amenities of life, these people suffer negligence. Why would people who are denied their basic rights and needs be expected to sacrifice their lives and property for the country?