Aristocracy (class)
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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| - | #REDIRECT [[Aristocracy]] | + | {{Template}} |
| + | The '''aristocracy''' are, generally, people that a particular social order considers in the highest [[social class]] of that society. Specifically, in monarchies, the aristocracy are a class of people (''aristocrats'') who either possess hereditary titles granted by a monarch or are related to such people. In some societies—such as Ancient Greece, Rome, and India—aristocratic status may derive from membership of a military [[caste]], although it has also been common for aristocrats to belong to priestly dynasties in lieu of this, as is the case in polities all over the continent of Africa. Aristocratic status can involve feudal or legal privileges. They are usually below only the monarch of a [[country]] or [[nation]] in its social [[hierarchy]]. | ||
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| + | The term ''aristocracy'' derives from the [[Greek language|Greek]] ἀριστοκρατία (''[[aristocracy|aristokratia]]''), ἄριστος (''aristos'') "excellent," and κράτος (''kratos'') "power". In most cases, aristocratic titles were and are hereditary, passing on death to another family member, typically the eldest son or eldest child. | ||
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| + | ==Origins of the notion== | ||
| + | The term "aristocracy" (ἀριστοκρατία) was first given in [[Athens]] to young [[citizen]]s (the men of the ruling class) who led armies from the front line. Because [[military]] 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 [[Middle Ages]] for a similar hereditary class of military leaders often referred to as the "[[Nobility#Western nobility|nobility]]". As in Greece, this was a class of privileged men and women whose familial connections to the regional armies allowed them to present themselves as the most "noble" or "best." | ||
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| + | ==Europe== | ||
| + | Historically the status and privileges of the aristocracy in Europe were below [[royal family|royalty]] and above all non-aristocrats. | ||
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| + | The [[French Revolution]] attacked aristocrats as people who had achieved their status by having been born in a wealthy family rather than by [[merit]], and this was considered unjust. In the [[United Kingdom]] and other European countries, such as [[Spain]] and [[Denmark]], in which [[hereditary titles]] are still recognised, ''aristocrat'' still refers to the descendant of one of approximately 7,000 families with hereditary titles, many still in possession of considerable wealth. | ||
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| + | ==See also== | ||
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| + | * [[Gentry]] | ||
| + | * [[Honorifics]] | ||
| + | * [[Monarchy]] | ||
| + | * [[Nobility]] | ||
| + | * [[Abaza family]] | ||
| + | * [[Old Money]] | ||
| + | * [[Peerage]] (United Kingdom) | ||
| + | * [[Royal and noble ranks]] | ||
| + | * [[Style (manner of address)|Styles]] (manner of address) | ||
| + | * [[Royal and noble styles|Styles]] (royal and noble) | ||
| + | * [[Forms of address in the United Kingdom|Styles]] (United Kingdom) | ||
| + | * [[Title]]s | ||
| + | * [[False titles of nobility|Titles]] (false) | ||
| + | * [[Hereditary title|Titles]] (hereditary) | ||
| + | * [[title of honor|Titles]] (honorary) | ||
| + | * [[Social capital]] | ||
| + | * [[Social environment]] | ||
| + | * [[Symbolic capital]] | ||
| + | * [[Honour]] | ||
| + | * [[Moral responsibility]] | ||
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| + | {{GFDL}} | ||
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The aristocracy are, generally, people that a particular social order considers in the highest social class of that society. Specifically, in monarchies, the aristocracy are a class of people (aristocrats) who either possess hereditary titles granted by a monarch or are related to such people. In some societies—such as Ancient Greece, Rome, and India—aristocratic status may derive from membership of a military caste, although it has also been common for aristocrats to belong to priestly dynasties in lieu of this, as is the case in polities all over the continent of Africa. Aristocratic status can involve feudal or legal privileges. They are usually below only the monarch of a country or nation in its social hierarchy.
The term aristocracy derives from the Greek ἀριστοκρατία (aristokratia), ἄριστος (aristos) "excellent," and κράτος (kratos) "power". In most cases, aristocratic titles were and are hereditary, passing on death to another family member, typically the eldest son or eldest child.
Origins of the notion
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 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 Middle Ages for a similar hereditary class of military leaders often referred to as the "nobility". As in Greece, this was a class of privileged men and women whose familial connections to the regional armies allowed them to present themselves as the most "noble" or "best."
Europe
Historically the status and privileges of the aristocracy in Europe were below royalty and above all non-aristocrats.
The French Revolution attacked aristocrats as people who had achieved their status by having been born in a wealthy family rather than by merit, and this was considered unjust. In the United Kingdom and other European countries, such as Spain and Denmark, in which hereditary titles are still recognised, aristocrat still refers to the descendant of one of approximately 7,000 families with hereditary titles, many still in possession of considerable wealth.
See also
- Gentry
- Honorifics
- Monarchy
- Nobility
- Abaza family
- Old Money
- Peerage (United Kingdom)
- Royal and noble ranks
- Styles (manner of address)
- Styles (royal and noble)
- Styles (United Kingdom)
- Titles
- Titles (false)
- Titles (hereditary)
- Titles (honorary)
- Social capital
- Social environment
- Symbolic capital
- Honour
- Moral responsibility
