By the 11th and 12th centuries, what was the status of the Japanese court aristocracy?
a. The aristocracy increased in power due to the influence of the Taira and Minamoto families.
b. The resuscitation of the emperor led to the destruction of the court aristocracy and the suppression of the regional warrior elite.
c. Aristocratic families at the court depended on alliances with the provincial warrior elite in order to exercise any power.
d. The court aristocracy succeeded by the 11th century in setting aside the emperor in favor of regionalized government.
e. They continued to dominate the imperial government and to depend on their alliance with the Buddhist monasteries.
Answer: C