Venetian Senate
The Senate (
Establishment
The Venetian Senate was founded in 1229, or less likely shortly before that date.[2] Its creation was both the result of the rising predominance of the aristocratic element in the Republic, and of the necessity to govern a territory that was much more extensive than the earlier Dogado and still expanding at a rapid rate.[2] The Senate originated as a select committee of sixty men, chosen by the Great Council, to deliberate on decrees concerning taxation, commerce, foreign policy, and military operations, instead of the far larger, and more unwieldy, Great Council.[3] Hence, it was initially named the council of the Pregadi or Rogati, while the name of 'Senate' was only applied to it in the late 14th century, under the influence of Renaissance humanism.[2]
Membership
Initially it was junior to another similar committee, the
Senators were not equal: some members held the right to vote on proposals (por ballotta), others to submit proposals (por parte), others held both rights, and others none.[7] In total, about 300 men (out of an estimated 2,500 nobles in 1500) had a seat in the Senate, but only about 230 of them had a right to vote. The minimum number for a quorum was set at 70, but more usually there were about 180 nobles in attendance.[5] Election to the Senate was for terms of one year, but frequently the same men were continuously re-elected, ensuring both experience and continuity in political decision-making.[5]
The meetings of the Senate were presided over by the Full College, the effective executive arm of the Venetian government, which was in charge of preparing matters for discussion in the Senate through the Savi del Consiglio.[8]
References
Sources
- Da Mosto, Andrea (1937). L'Archivio di Stato di Venezia. Indice Generale, Storico, Descrittivo ed Analitico. Tomo I: Archivi dell' Amministrazione Centrale della Repubblica Veneta e Archivi Notarili (in Italian). Rome: Biblioteca d'arte editrice. OCLC 772861816.
- ISBN 0-8018-1445-6.