Who were the religious leaders of Christ's day?

Tuesday night Scripture Study on Skype
Topic was "Who were the religious leaders of Christ's day?"
Based on the question "....why is Christ also so against the scribes?" based on the frequent occurrence of the phrase "the scribes and Pharisees"
A Scribe is considered by us to be someone who writes, and the Hebrew word for scribe indicates this.
The study also considered the other offices of the Jewish congregation, and that some offices changed their characteristics after the Babylonian destruction and exile.
The High Priest: originally the eldest son of the eldest son etc. of Aaron, the first High Priest. The only one allowed to enter the Holy of Holies, only on the Day of Atonement. During the post-exilic, pre-Christ era, under the Greeks and Romans, the High Priesthood became a political office.
The Chief Priests: directly beneath the High Priest. The highest-ranking, the captain of the Temple, supervised the Priests and Temple activities. Other Chief Priests had charge of daily and weekly services, the treasury, and the Temple vessels.
Ordinary Priests: along with the Chief Priests, all descendants of Aaron. They were divided into "courses" to take turns serving in the Temple (John's father Zacharias was of the Course of Abijah). The Priests took care of the altar fires, the incense and unleavened bread offerings, and killing sacrificial animals.
The Levites: Other descendants of Levi, not thru Aaron. Lowest in rank, they served as guards, doorkeepers, and singers/musicians. They were originally charged with carrying the components of the Tabernacle.
Elders: Older men who were given authority among the people because of their age, experience, and wisdom.
Pharisees: a group that appeared after the exile. They were disgusted with the idolatry of the pre-exile Jews, and held themselves "broken off" the people at large (which is what the Hebrew word "pharez" indicates). In Christ's time they had made the Law of Moses into an incredibly complicated system of traditions, and prided themselves on their righteousness.
Sadducees: A group of priests who had the attitude of the Pharisees, but rejected all Scripture except the Pentateuch (first five books), and did not believe in the Resurrection, or in angels. That's why they are sad, you see. They and the Pharisees were enemies, except when they had a common enemy like Jesus.
The Scribes of the New Testament were the explainers and interpreters of the Law, as well as transcribers of Scripture, and were part of the Sanhedrin or Council. They held complete sway over the thoughts and religious practice of ordinary people. Since they held such authority, and taught falsehood and worked evil, they came under condemnation from Jesus; and along with the Pharisees conspired to eliminate Jesus. They conspired in His arrest, mocked Him at trial, helped to demand of Pilate His crucifixion, and continued to persecute His followers after His death and resurrection.
Great question and answer. Keep them coming!