The priestly guilds were highly mobile, with the result that cultic practices crossed ethnic lines over wide areas. - Cyrus Herzl Gordon

Aristocrats (among Hebrews and Greeks) often had harems that included women of common or even servile origin, as well as well-born aristocratic ladies. Normally, the successors would be chosen from the sons born by ladies; but on occasion those born by servile or common wives achieved the ascendency. In the latter case, tradition could dwell on the phenomenon as "worthy of saga."

The text of Homer about the Mycenaen Age with its memories of the Trojan War, and the Hebrew text covering from the Conquest through David's reign, cover ground with much in common geographically, chronologically and ethnically.

The Sabbath, perhaps the most important labour legislation next to the abolition of slavery, is a Hebrew institution.