Aristocracy ( Greek ἀριστοκρατία aristokratía , from ἄριστος aristos `` excellent , '' and κράτος kratos `` power '' ) is a form of government that places power in the hands of a small , privileged ruling class . The term derives from the Greek aristokratia , meaning `` rule of the best '' . Choregos . chorêgoi ; χορηγός , Greek etymology : χορός `` chorus '' + ἡγεῖσθαι `` to lead '' ) was a wealthy Athenian citizen who assumed the public duty , or choregiai , of financing the preparation for the chorus and other aspects of dramatic production that were not paid for by the government of the polis or city-state .
Aristocracy is a term with Greek etymology.