Changes

==Etymology==

==Etymology==

Middle French & Late [[Latin]]; Middle French aristocratie,  from Late Latin aristocratia, from [[Greek]] aristokratia,  from aristos best + -kratia -cracy

Middle French & Late [[Latin]]; Middle French aristocratie,  from Late Latin aristocratia, from [[Greek]] aristokratia,  from aristos best + -kratia -cracy

*Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_Century 1561]

*Date: [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_Century 1561]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1 : [[government]] by the best [[individuals]] or by a small privileged class

*1 : [[government]] by the best [[individuals]] or by a small privileged class

*4 : the aggregate of those believed to be superior

*4 : the aggregate of those believed to be superior

==Description==

==Description==

'''Aristocracy''' is a form of [[government ]] in which a few of the most prominent [[citizens]] rule. The term is derived from the Greek aristokratia, meaning "rule of the best".  The term "aristocracy" (ἀριστοκρατία) was first given in Athens  to young [[citizens]] (the men of the ruling class) who led armies from the front line. Because military [[Courage|bravery]] was highly regarded as a [[virtue ]] in ancient [[Greece]], it was assumed that the armies were being led by "the best". From the ancient Greeks, the term passed on to the European [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages Middle Ages] for a similar hereditary class of military leaders often referred to as the "[[nobility]]".  

'''Aristocracy''' is a form of [[government ]] in which a few of the most prominent [[citizens]] rule. The term is derived from the Greek aristokratia, meaning "rule of the best".  The term "aristocracy" (ἀριστοκρατία) was first given in Athens  to young [[citizens]] (the men of the ruling class) who led armies from the front line. Because military [[Courage|bravery]] was highly regarded as a [[virtue ]] in ancient [[Greece]], it was assumed that the armies were being led by "the best". From the ancient Greeks, the term passed on to the European [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages Middle Ages] for a similar hereditary class of military leaders often referred to as the "[[nobility]]".  

As in ancient Greece, this was a class of [[privilege]]d men whose military role allowed them to present themselves as the most "[[noble]]", or "best".The concept evolved where by a council of these [[citizens]] was commonly used and [[contrasted]] with [[monarchy]], in which an [[individual]] king held the [[power]]. Later, aristocracies primarily consisted of an elite aristocratic class, privileged by [[birth]] and [[wealth]]. Since the French Revolution, aristocracy has generally been contrasted with [[democracy]], in which all citizens hold some form of [[political]] [[power]].

As in ancient Greece, this was a class of [[privilege]]d men whose military role allowed them to present themselves as the most "[[noble]]", or "best".The concept evolved where by a council of these [[citizens]] was commonly used and [[contrasted]] with [[monarchy]], in which an [[individual]] king held the [[power]]. Later, aristocracies primarily consisted of an elite aristocratic class, privileged by [[birth]] and [[wealth]]. Since the French Revolution, aristocracy has generally been contrasted with [[democracy]], in which all citizens hold some form of [[political]] [[power]].

[[Category: Political Science]]

[[Category: Political Science]]