patriciate
Hereditary ruling elite
The patriciate is the aristocratic class of a society, especially the hereditary nobility of ancient Rome or the ruling families of medieval Italian city-states.
The term emphasizes collective identity—not individual patricians but the class as a political and social body: The Venetian patriciate controlled the republic for centuries.
It can describe any entrenched elite: the Boston patriciate.
Rule by few
- senateLegislative governing body
- councilAdvisory deliberative group
- magistrateCivil judicial officer
- jurisdictionLegal authority's scope
legislation · decrees · sovereignty · governance · administration · statecraft · polity · civic
System of noble ranks
- gentryHighborn but not noble
- bluebloodPerson of noble birth
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
- dukesHighest hereditary nobles
marquesses · earls · viscounts · barons · noblesse · landed · gentility · seigneur
Reputation commanding admiration
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
- eminenceElevated rank or renown
- dignityInnate personal worth
- esteemFavorable opinion of worth
honor · prominence · renown · respectability · veneration · privilege · exclusivity · elite
Legislative governing body
- consulDiplomat in foreign city
- plebeiansRoman lower classes
- optimatesRoman aristocratic political faction
- gensRoman family grouping
equestrian · tribune · praetor · censor · curia · magistrate · republic · imperium
Study of family descent
- ancestryFamily line of descent
- bloodlineAncestry through generations
- descentDownward slope or lineage
- forebearsAncestral family members
progenitors · dynasty · inheritance · pedigree · legacy · birthright · ancestors · clan
oligarchy
Rule by few
- senateLegislative governing body
- councilAdvisory deliberative group
- magistrateCivil judicial officer
jurisdiction · legislation · decrees · sovereignty · governance · administration · statecraft · polity · civic · senatorial
peerage
System of noble ranks
- gentryHighborn but not noble
- bluebloodPerson of noble birth
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
dukes · marquesses · earls · viscounts · barons · noblesse · landed · gentility · seigneur · manorial
prestige
Reputation commanding admiration
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
- eminenceElevated rank or renown
- dignityInnate personal worth
esteem · honor · prominence · renown · respectability · veneration · privilege · exclusivity · elite · notables
senate
Legislative governing body
- consulDiplomat in foreign city
- plebeiansRoman lower classes
- optimatesRoman aristocratic political faction
gens · equestrian · tribune · praetor · censor · curia · magistrate · republic · imperium · centurion
genealogy
Study of family descent
forebears · progenitors · dynasty · inheritance · pedigree · legacy · birthright · ancestors · clan · house
patriciateplebeians
Roman lower classes
plebs · commoners · proletariat · peasantry · proletarians
- patrician classHereditary upper social rank