The aristocracy of the sixteenth century was . largely surpassed by the upcoming merchant class. b. to dominate society as it had done in the middle ages. c. extremely uneducated compared to the nobility of the middle ages. d. to disappear by the early seventeenth century. e. still powerful, but with little new blood to keep it vital.

The correct answer is letter B.

Aristocracy is a political regime in which a minority class in a society has its own powers and privileges to govern. Usually the aristocracy is linked to the nobility, and the attainment of this power is by family heredity.

In the seventeenth century, Montesquieu - close to liberalism - and even Rousseau - defender of democracy - advocated aristocratic republicanism. For these authors, there should be an aristocracy based on the virtues and powers of governors, not on blood or heredity - the "nobility."