It was worse in my opinion when places like Russia had rulers. I mean the Russians had a sticky web of secrets that they hid from each other. There were even Russians that persuaded the Tarsar, king of Russia, that at the time some of the less favorable choices were the best decisions then that led to the civilians to have a revolt. This in turn caused the Russian Royal family to fall and then a new system came into play. So it's safe to say that no matter the time it's dangerous to ever get entangled in the royal and wealthy families, they play by their own set of rules. These rules always seem to change while never changing all at the same time. Mortals are just down right vicious when they want to do it for spite or they feel their way of life or material possessions are being threatened. When that happens then the viciousness comes out quickly.
Another thing that was a luxury that in the new world workings that no longer is, is that of board games. In the ancient times it was a luxury as only the wealthy had the privilege to have it. Now in the modern world everyone is capable of getting games. Be it board games, card games or even the new games. Now there are even video games, computer games, and virtual games. This is thanks to technology advances that have been made. When I roamed in the ancient time we had advanced things for our time but now they are not considered as such. There was makeup, toiletries, irrigation, medicines and remedies, complex buildings like the pyramids and temples, papayas (the paper then), they created ink, surgical procedures, calendars, timekeeping amongst many other things. Egyptians were considered to be an advanced civilization due to all these facts.
The forms of transportation that royals and those well off had to show off their wealth and status in society were chariots and boats of gold and silver. They were like the expensive cars, planes, jets and yachts of today. With all the money it took to make the chariots and boats with all the gold and silver, some with jewels they could have given it to the poor or something like that. But there weren't things like that in the ancient times. There was adoption but the royal family never participated in this, it was mostly for those of lower status.