Consistorium
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (November 2019) |
The sacrum consistorium or sacrum auditorium (from
Latin: consistere, "discuss a topic"; Greek: θεῖον συνέδριον, romanized: theion synedrion, "sacred assembly") was the highest political council of the Roman Empire from the time of Constantine the Great on.[1] It replaced the consilium principis that had existed during the Principate
.
The council's powers and membership varied, being ultimately dependent on the emperor. The vir spectabilis, as well as other officials or close associates who were appointed ad hoc to it.[1] The council's proceedings differed depending on each emperor's administrative style, but generally it served as the scene of "deliberations about political and administrative matters as well as [...] court procedures and the particularly solemn sanctioning of imperial laws:, while at the same time being an avenue for its members to raise issues of concern to them and influence the emperor.[1]