What is Gor? What does it
mean to be Gorean?
by DeGrey (Adapted from Luther Gorean Essays)
There are many answers to these questions, some simple and some complex. The answers to these questions have been endlessly debated online and still there is confusion and disagreement. The answers are important to anyone who truly desires to understand Gor, live according to the Gorean philosophies, or role-play by the books. The answers will also vary based on your own perceptions and viewpoints. In different contexts, your definition may also vary. We are not going to try to provide definitive answers in this essay. We are only going to provide an overview and some guidance to the relevant issues surrounding the answers to these questions.
SIMPLE ANSWERS
The simple answer is that Gor, also known as the Counter-Earth, is a fictitious planet that is supposed to be in the same orbit as Earth, but on the opposite side of the Sun. Thus, a Gorean is simply a person born on the world of Gor. Gor is a barbaric world, ruled by steel and concerned with honor. It is primarily a male dominated world where slavery is an ancient and universally accepted institution. The overseers of Gor, the Priest-Kings, are technologically advanced aliens who monitor and protect Gor. The Priest-Kings have transported numerous people from Earth to Gor over a period of thousands of years. They have also restricted Goreans from using many forms of technology but have allowed them to excel in a few limited areas where their technology even surpasses that of Earth. For example, Gorean Physicians have created the Stabilization Serums, a cure for aging. Such a cure would be priceless on Earth.
But usually when someone online says that they are Gorean, or are acting Gorean, they do not mean that they were actually born on Gor. They are basically stating that they are acting as a person would act who was born on Gor. They may mean that they are acting within the customs and conventions of Gorean culture and society. Some of these Goreans may only engage in role-play. Some may introduce elements of Gor into their lifestyle. And some may even do both. And their definitions of what it means to be Gorean will differ, often drastically.
The world of Gor is detailed in a series of thirty-three, best-selling books written by John Norman. Norman is a pseudonym for John Lange, a university philosophy professor, who currently lives in New York. Additional books may eventually be published in this science-fiction series. Presently, the series consists of over 10,000 pages, a vast amount of information.
The series includes the following books. The dates in parentheses are the dates of their first publication.
Tarnsman of Gor (1966) ISBN 0-345-27583-7
Outlaw of Gor (1967) ISBN 0-345-27136-X
Priest-Kings of Gor (1968) ISBN 0-7592-0036-X
Nomads of Gor (1969) ISBN 0-7592-5445-1
Assassin of Gor (1970) ISBN 0-7592-0091-2
Raiders of Gor (1971) ISBN 0-7592-0153-6
Captive of Gor (1972) ISBN 0-7592-0105-6
Hunters of Gor (1974) ISBN 0-7592-0130-7
Marauders of Gor (1975) ISBN 0-7592-0141-2
Tribesmen of Gor (1976) ISBN 0-7592-5446-X
Slave Girl of Gor (1977) ISBN 0-7592-0454-3
Beasts of Gor (1978) ISBN 0-7592-1125-6
Explorers of Gor (1979) ISBN 0-7592-1167-1
Fighting Slave of Gor (1980) ISBN 0-7592-1173-6
Rogue of Gor (1981) ISBN 0-7592-1179-5
Guardsman of Gor (1981) ISBN 0-7592-1368-2
Savages of Gor (1982) ISBN 0-7592-1374-7
Blood Brothers of Gor (1982) ISBN 0-7592-1380-1
Kajira of Gor (1983) ISBN 0-7592-1926-5
Players of Gor (1984) ISBN 0-7592-1932-X
Mercenaries of Gor (1985) ISBN 0-7592-1944-3
Dancer of Gor (1985) ISBN 0-7592-1950-8
Renegades of Gor (1986) ISBN 0-7592-1956-7
Vagabonds of Gor (1987) ISBN 0-7592-1980-X
Magicians of Gor (1988) ISBN 0-7592-1986-9
Witness of Gor (2001) ISBN 0-7592-4235-6
Prize of Gor (2008) ISBN 0-7592-4580-0
Kur of Gor (2009) ISBN 0-7592-9782-7
Swordsmen of Gor (2010) ISBN 1-61756-040-5
Mariners of Gor (2011) ISBN 0-7592-9989-7
Conspirators of Gor (2012) ISBN 1-6175-6731-0
Smugglers of Gor (Oct 2012) ISBN 1-6175-6865-1
Rebels of Gor (Oct 2013) ISBN 1-6175-6123-1
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