Lycurgus was much missed at Sparta, and often sent for, "for kings indeed we have," they said, ... you shall establish a council of thirty elders, the leaders included, and shall, from time to time, apellazein the people betwixt Babyca and Cnacion, there propound and put to the vote. High state policy decisions were discussed by this council who could then propose action alternatives to the demos . More information may be found in the Constitution of Sparta. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Joint Chiefs of Staff, panel of high-ranking U.S. military officers who advise the president of the United States and other civilian leaders on military issues. Sparta was an aristocracy that had a Council of Elders. Scroll down the page to find his criticisms of the Council of Elders. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/gerousia, Perseus Digital Library - A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities - Gerou´sia, The American School of Classical Studies at Athens - IGV,16 and the Gerousia of Roman Sparta, Academia - The Gerousia or Spartan Council. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Sparta ( Ancient History Source Book)(11th Brittanica Sparta. The commons have the final voice and decision." [1], The Gerousia consisted of thirty members in total, of whom twenty-eight had to be over the age of sixty, and the remaining two members were the two Spartan kings, regardless of their age. A brief description. This article is part of the series: [2] These elected members included a number of members of the two Spartan royal 43 houses, and membership was probably restricted to aristocrats. The Gerousia (γερουσία) was the Spartan council of elders, which was made up of men over the age of sixty. Sparta: Government and classes Sparta had a highly unusual system of government. You will have to search within the article to find references to the gerousia.) 4. There was also a council of five men called the ephors who watched over the kings. Its members, the gerontes (“elders”), whose number was fixed at 30, including the two kings, were chosen for life by acclamation of the citizens from among candidates who had reached age 60. Corrections? The gerousia prepared business to be submitted to the apella and had extensive judicial powers, being the only Spartan court that could pronounce sentence of death or exile. But the important decisions were actually made by a much smaller group called the Council of Elders. Sparta was a city in Greece in which the form of the kingdom in the form of joint authority was preserved. The Spartan System. Their extensive police powers allowed them to make the annual declaration of war on the helots and, in emergency, arrest, imprison, and … The Gerousia (γερουσία) was the Spartan council of elders, which was made up of men over the age of sixty. Elders are the primary members of the Gerousia, also known as the Spartan Middle Council. More information may be found in the Constitution of Sparta. Lycurgus had conceived also political institutions, established after consulting with the Delphic oracle. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Sparta was ruled by two kings and a Council of Elders. Updates? Spartan political system was a combination of monarchy (kings), oligarchy (Gerousia) and democracy (ephoroi, ephors). Once elected, they serve for life. Other than the kings, the members of the Gerousia (known as gerontes), served for life. The Council of Elders was made up of two kings and 28 other men. It was created by the semi-legendary Spartan lawgiver Lycurgus in the seventh century BC, in his Great Rhetra ("Great Pronouncement"). According to Lycurgus' biographer Plutarch, the creation of the Gerousia was the first significant constitutional innovation instituted by Lycurgus. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Spartan Constitution, The Gerousia (γερουσία) was the Spartan council of elders, which was made up of men over the age of sixty. Two kings ruled the city, but a 28-member 'council of elders' limited their powers. It was created by the semi-legendary Spartan lawgiver Lycurgus in the seventh century BC, in his Great Rhetra ("Great Pronouncement"). The Elders operate as equals, hold an equal voice in the Middle Council, and do not hold any authority over fellow Elders. Gerousia, in ancient Sparta, council of elders, one of the two chief organs of the Spartan state, the other being the apella (assembly). The gerousia led the citizen assembly, probably proposing issues on which to vote and it was also the highest court in Sparta. Like Athens, Sparta had an Assembly. Sparta was an oligarchy, which means the ruling power was divided into a small group. According to Lycurgus' biographer Plutarch, the creation of the Gerousia was the first significant constitutional innovation instituted by Lycurgus. It was created by the semi-legendary Spartan lawgiver Lycurgus in the seventh century BC, in his Great Rhetra ("Great Pronouncement"). Sparta had a highly unusual system of government. Another notoriously conservative aspect of the Spartan constitution was the Council of Elders, or Gerousia.