"All Russian subjects who have served the first eight ranks in the military, civil or court service, or their children, shall be considered equal to the best ancient nobility, even if they are of low origin. All officers below the rank of fatherland nobility are included in it; and upon their death their children and descendants shall remain noble for ever... Any person of whatever rank or dignity who speaks disrespectfully of His Majesty's ukases, or who negligently carries them out, shall be treated as an enemy of the fatherland."

Peter I (Peter the Great), Table of Ranks, imperial decree issued January 1722. The Table established a hierarchy of 14 ranks across military, civil and court service, open to men of any social origin.