Roman Senate (Byzatium)
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 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.