Roman Senate (Byzatium): Difference between revisions
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==Membership== | ==Membership== | ||
The Roman Senate is not an elected body, but one whose members were appointed by the Roman Emperor, subject to certain qualifications. The senate is mostly composed of statesmen and officials, ranging from the most important statesmen to provincial governors and retired civil servants. After a senior official served his term in certain offices, it usually is followed with automatic appointment to the Senate. Sometimes, a senior position entitles by law to the membership of the Senate. | The Roman Senate has 300 Senators. The Senate is not an elected body, but one whose members were appointed by the Roman Emperor, subject to certain qualifications. The senate is mostly composed of statesmen and officials, ranging from the most important statesmen to provincial governors and retired civil servants. After a senior official served his term in certain offices, it usually is followed with automatic appointment to the Senate. Sometimes, a senior position entitles by law to the membership of the Senate. | ||
The normal way of becoming a member of the senate itself is by holding a senior position in the government. It is important to note that being a Senator is generally a secondary career for most of the senate's members, who usually possessed important positions within the administrative and/or political machinery of the Empire. | The normal way of becoming a member of the senate itself is by holding a senior position in the government. It is important to note that being a Senator is generally a secondary career for most of the senate's members, who usually possessed important positions within the administrative and/or political machinery of the Empire. | ||
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=== Members by law === | === Members by law === | ||
The following officials are automatically granted a seat in the Roman Senate: | The following 34 officials are automatically granted a seat in the Roman Senate: | ||
# Prime Minister of the Empire | # Prime Minister of the Empire | ||
# Ecumenical Patriarch of Costantinople | # Ecumenical Patriarch of Costantinople | ||
# Ministers (11) | |||
# Provincial Governors (17) | # Provincial Governors (17) | ||
# Patriarchs of the Eastern Orthodox Churches whose Seat is within the current borders of the Empire (Athens, Antioch, Serdica, Singidonon) | # Patriarchs of the Eastern Orthodox Churches whose Seat is within the current borders of the Empire (Athens, Antioch, Serdica, Singidonon) | ||
These senators expire when their associated office ceases. | |||
== President of the Roman Senate == | |||
Under the Constitution, the Roman Emperor serves as president of the Roman Senate when sitting. Since the 1950s, Roman Emperors have presided over few Senate debates. Instead, they have usually presided only on ceremonial occasions, such as swearing in new senators, joint sessions, or at times to announce some important news. | |||
The Senate elects a president ''pro tempore'', who presides over the chamber in the Emperor's absence and is, by custom, the senator with the longest record of continuous service. The president ''pro tempore'' holds the formal title of Princeps Senatus (Latin form Prince or First One of the Senate). Frequently, freshmen senators (newly inducted members) are asked to preside alongside the Princeps Senatus, so that they may become accustomed to the rules and procedures of the body. | |||
The presiding officer sits in a chair in the front of the Senate chamber. The powers of the presiding officer of the Senate are less extensive than those of the speaker of the House. The presiding officer calls on senators to speak (by the rules of the Senate, the first senator who rises is recognized); ruling on points of order (objections by senators that a rule has been breached); and announcing the results of votes. If the Emperor presides over the Senate, he is flanked by the Prime Minister of the Empire and by the Princeps Senatus. | |||
[[Category:Byzatium]] | [[Category:Byzatium]] | ||
Revision as of 10:24, 31 March 2024
Roman Senate | |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Type | |
Term limits | None |
| Leadership | |
Princeps Senatus | Georgios Sphrantzes |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 300 |
Length of term | Life |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
The Roman Senate is the upper chamber of the parliament of the Byzantine Empire. The Roman Senate and the lower chamber of Congress, the House of Representatives, comprise the bicameral legislature of the Byzantine Empire. Together, the Senate and the House maintain authority to propose imperial legislation to the Emperor. The Senate has exclusive power to confirm imperial appointments and approve or reject treaties. The most important function of the Roman Senate is to advise and assist the Roman Emperor.
The composition and powers of the Senate are established by the Constitution of the Empire. In total, the Senate consists of 300 members. Each senator is selected by reason of his career at the service of the State, or is appointed by the Emperor.
The Senate has several functions of advice and consent. These include the approval of treaties, as well as the confidence to the members of Council of Ministers of the Empire, confirmation of senior judges, senior officers, regulatory officials, ambassadors, and other senior officials.
The Senate has typically been considered both a more advisory and prestigious body than the House of Representatives.
Membership
The Roman Senate has 300 Senators. The Senate is not an elected body, but one whose members were appointed by the Roman Emperor, subject to certain qualifications. The senate is mostly composed of statesmen and officials, ranging from the most important statesmen to provincial governors and retired civil servants. After a senior official served his term in certain offices, it usually is followed with automatic appointment to the Senate. Sometimes, a senior position entitles by law to the membership of the Senate.
The normal way of becoming a member of the senate itself is by holding a senior position in the government. It is important to note that being a Senator is generally a secondary career for most of the senate's members, who usually possessed important positions within the administrative and/or political machinery of the Empire.
The Emperor or the Senate itself could also issue a decree to grant a man not possessing senatorial qualifications a seat in the senate.
Qualifications
The Constitution, sets three qualifications for senators: (1) they must be at least 30 years old; (2) they must have been Roman citizens for at least fifteen years; and (3) they must reside in Costantinople.
The Constitution disqualifies as senators anyone who had taken the requisite oath of allegiance to the Empire but who later engaged in rebellion or aided the enemies of the Empire.
The Senate is the sole judge of a senator's qualifications. The Senate may expel a senator by a two-thirds vote.
Members by law
The following 34 officials are automatically granted a seat in the Roman Senate:
- Prime Minister of the Empire
- Ecumenical Patriarch of Costantinople
- Ministers (11)
- Provincial Governors (17)
- Patriarchs of the Eastern Orthodox Churches whose Seat is within the current borders of the Empire (Athens, Antioch, Serdica, Singidonon)
These senators expire when their associated office ceases.
President of the Roman Senate
Under the Constitution, the Roman Emperor serves as president of the Roman Senate when sitting. Since the 1950s, Roman Emperors have presided over few Senate debates. Instead, they have usually presided only on ceremonial occasions, such as swearing in new senators, joint sessions, or at times to announce some important news.
The Senate elects a president pro tempore, who presides over the chamber in the Emperor's absence and is, by custom, the senator with the longest record of continuous service. The president pro tempore holds the formal title of Princeps Senatus (Latin form Prince or First One of the Senate). Frequently, freshmen senators (newly inducted members) are asked to preside alongside the Princeps Senatus, so that they may become accustomed to the rules and procedures of the body.
The presiding officer sits in a chair in the front of the Senate chamber. The powers of the presiding officer of the Senate are less extensive than those of the speaker of the House. The presiding officer calls on senators to speak (by the rules of the Senate, the first senator who rises is recognized); ruling on points of order (objections by senators that a rule has been breached); and announcing the results of votes. If the Emperor presides over the Senate, he is flanked by the Prime Minister of the Empire and by the Princeps Senatus.