Aristocracy

Aristocracy comes from the Greek term meaning "rule of the best." Aristocracy is a form of government in which the wealthy land owning elite rule. Rome's republic was ruled by the aristocrats who were only admitted into the Senate if they had enough money. The Han dyansty hoped to remove power from the aristocratic rule of government by creating civil service exams under Wu Ti to create an educated bureacracy tha would counter the sole rule of the powerful wealthy families. Despite the seeming social equality that was trying to be reached, only people with enough moey could afford to educate their children for the exams and so the wealthy families still retained much of the power while social mobility within the empire was restricted. In most societies the landowning aristocracy enjoyed a high place in the social structure along with the chance to partake in political events, something commoners either couldn't do.

Created by: Ian Worthington 9/24/08