Final answer:
The government of Sparta was ruled by a small number of people, making it an oligarchy. Sparta's system combined oligarchic elements with an aristocratic monarchy. Oligarchies are not necessarily based on noble ancestry but can derive from various forms of power such as military or economic influence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The government of Sparta was an oligarchy, which means that it was ruled by a small number of people. This form of government is characterized by the power being held by a small, elite group. Sparta's oligarchy was unique as it combined this form of rule with elements of an aristocratic monarchy, with two hereditary kings having limited powers. The Spartan kings were part of the Council of Elders and led armies into battle occasionally.
The power in an oligarchy is not necessarily based on noble ancestry. Instead, it could be due to military might, economic power, or a similar base of power. In the case of Sparta, its oligarchic system functioned within a society that heavily relied on its military elite and was known for its strict social structure, maintaining absolute control over a large serf population known as helots.