Topic: Gerousia
Source: Booklet one, Antiquity 2, by T. Hurley, P. Medcalf, C. Murray, J. Rolph
Info:
It was the council of elders, made up of 30 members including the 2 Kings.
The 28 Spartiate members had to be over 60 years of age and would hold office for life.
The Gerousia provided the oligarchic element of Spartan Government and served originally
as an advisory body.
Role Significance Source/Quote Source Analysis
Prepared the business and Gave them power as they “…doubted whether they The 1st quote des
agenda for the Apella could ignore issues that should possess for life a failing of the G
they would not want the supreme jurisdiction in cases to consider the p
Apella to handle. Literally of importance (for the mind, of old age as me
decided on what the Apella like the body, is subject to old would encounter
could vote on.
age)” such as senility w
Had Judicial powers eg. Fact they could try Kings “For those who have had a which would aff
trying Kings, and imposing meant they held considerable share in this office have been decisions as wel
penalties of loss of citizenship power, practically equal with guilty of taking bribes and conservative nat
rights, death or exile. the Kings power if all agreed. have been corrupt enough to shared with Vale
give away a lot of public
Deliberated on public policy Had the power to change and property. Accordingly it The 2nd quote sh
add to state policy. would be better if they were another weaknes
accountable, but now they are body in that mem
Could ignore the Apella’s vote Had tyrannical powers, over- not” could not be pun
if it was not to their liking powered democratic element. Aristotle for wrongs as th
office for life, gi
tyrannical power
Source: The Spartans by P. Cartledge
Roles Significance
Power of probouleusis or They would debate all measures prior to putting them up for th
predeliberation. to decide.
Was Sparta’s Supreme It could try Kings and arbitrate on what was or was not lawful.
Court along with the Kings and Ephors also handled cases such as murder and treason, handing out
punishments such as death to banishment and fines.
Info: Always some relatives of the two kings and was indeed probably restricted to aristocrats
(Cartledge). “Parody of a free and fair election” (Aristotle)
Source: Plutarch’s life of Lycurgus
Source/Quote Relevance
“…that if the people decide crookedly it should be This statement describes how the Gerousia could
lawful for the elders and leaders to dissolve it” enact laws in its own right if the Assembly could not
Plutarch or would not agree
Source: Booklet 5, Lycurgan Reforms and the Rise of Sparta
Roles Significance Source/Quotes Source analysis
Prepared agenda and propo- Had control of the issues “It would take a brave The Gerousia wa
sals to be decided and voted to be discussed, achieved and confident King to formidable force
in the assembly allowing the greatest power and pursue a policy that did checking the am
people to decide. In theory influence in policy making not command the support a King and even
they were a balance between of the majority of the Kings. Howeve
the Kings and people. Gerousia, knowing that, also be regarded
in the event of failure, he corrupt Gerousia
Could refuse to ratify the Gerousia could decline a was likely to be prosecuted upon
challenge the no
Assembly’s decision on the motion if it was not in their his return.” motions of a Kin
grounds that they had altered favour (usually favoured T. Buckley
the original motion. the aristocrats). This quote prese
view that a unan
Gerousia was po
and that Strong K
were needed to k
in check.
