GEROUSIA

(1) The 'Gerousia' was the Spartan senate. Meaning ''Council of Elders'' it consisted of 28 members as well as the two kings. Members had to be over the age of 60 and were elected for life. Theoretically, any Spartan citizen of the right age could stand but in practice members were selected from the most important aristocratic families.
The Gerousia prepared motions or ''rhetrai'' for the wider citizen assembly, the Apella, to vote on. The Gerousia could also veto motions passed by the Apella and was consulted by the ephors in matters of interpretation of the law. Additionally, the gerousia filled the role of a court to try murder cases - and had the power to condemn, fine, or banish.
(2) Some ancient sources refer to a council called '''gerousia''' in Judea during the Second Commonwealth period (roughly 530 BC- AD 70), presided over by the High Priest. Most scholars identify this body with the Sanhedrin.