Gerousia

The Gerusia, also Gerousia (Greek γερουσία " Senate " ), was originally a council of elders in ancient Sparta. It was a gathering of 28 male citizens of Sparta, the Geronte (Greek γέρων " the old man " ), which a minimum age of 60 years was prescribed to the two kings. By the Great Rhetra ( Plutarch ) the Gerusia was upgraded in the 7th century in a permanent and central organ of the state. According to Aristotle, the " beautiful and good " were existentially bound to the Gerusia. Although there were no official restrictions on admission for recording, other than age, she remained an exclusive body.

The Gerusia was one of the three institutions of the constitution of Sparta, in addition to the ephors (civil servants) and the Apella, the People's Assembly. The members used were elected for life by the People's Assembly. This choice was made by the volume of applause and cheers, which were given the reigning Geronte. The choice was therefore assigned a group dynamic character, in which the articulations of individual citizens could be controlled or manipulated by influential people.

The Gerusia was considered advisory ( pre-) organ. Your skills extended to political and procedural areas. The Gerusia advised which applications were submitted to the National Assembly and which are not. Thus, she was involved in all state-supporting shops and binding decisions. Their position in the constitution of Sparta is comparable with that of the Areopagus in Athens. Particularly important it was for the criminal court, as well as capital processes that were punishable by death, banishment, or the loss of civil rights ( Aristotle, Plutarch ). The cases ran from in cooperation with the ephors. Through traditional processes, the venality of the Gerusia is confirmed. As early as the 7th century the Gerusia the People's Assembly could submit applications ( Plutarch ). The Gerontes also had the right to withdraw or prevent decisions of the People's Assembly. With their Vorberatungs and prevention competencies Gerontes formed an important link in the Spartan state.

However, in the Classical period ( 500-336 BC) in the traditions of the Gerusia does not occur frequently. Aristotle criticizes the Spartan Gerusia in the 4th century in the strongest terms, and points next to his opinion much too high age of the Geronte also the " childish " selection.