Byzantine senate

• 1. Founding And Early Evolution

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  Constantine I established the Eastern senate in Byzantium during the 4th century. He offered free land and grain to any Roman senators willing to move East. The new body initially resembled municipal councils like those of Antioch rather than the traditional Roman Senate. His son Constantius II later raised it from a municipal position to an imperial one. This transformation included increasing the number of senators to 2,000 by adding friends and courtiers. Provincial officials also joined this expanded group. The senate in Constantinople retained essentially the same limited powers as its predecessor in Rome.

• 2. Admission And Social Composition

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  Hereditary principles remained fully in force for senatorial rank until the empire's end. Holding a magistracy was still the normal way to become a member of the senate. By 395 praetors' responsibilities had shrunk to managing money spent on games or public works. Eight praetors shared the financial burden between them in the Eastern Roman Empire. Praetorship remained a costly position requiring a treasury for municipal duties. Aristocrats often sought seats to escape harsh conditions imposed by emperors like Diocletian. The curiales were forced to participate in local government at their own expense. They collected taxes and paid deficits from their own pockets. Theodosius I decreed that these men must complete public service even if they became senators.

• 3. Hierarchical Orders And Titles

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  The senate consisted of three orders: illustres, spectabiles, and clarissimi. Members of the illustres held the highest offices such as master of soldiers and praetorian prefects. The spectabiles formed the middle class including proconsuls and military governors. The clarissimi attached themselves to provincial governors and lesser posts. Most active members were the illustres whose offices were based in Constantinople. By the end of the 5th century the two lower classes were excluded from sitting in the senate. Justinian I significantly increased the numbers of clarissimi during his reign. This caused many officials to be promoted to the rank of spectabiles. A new order called gloriosi was created to accommodate the highest ranking senators. Being a senator was generally a secondary career for most members who held important administrative positions.

• 4. Legislative And Judicial Powers

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  The senate could pass resolutions known as senatus consulta which emperors might adopt as edicts. It acted from time to time as a consultative body suggesting Imperial legislation. Some laws took the form of Orations to the senate read aloud before the body. Emperor Valentinian III formulated a legislative procedure granting the senate co-operation rights in 446. Trials for high treason were sometimes referred to the senate acting as a judicial court. Ordinary crimes were judged by a court consisting of the prefect of the city and five senators chosen by lot. Emperors were officially chosen by the military and the senate though succession remained almost always hereditary.

• 5. Political Confrontations And Riots

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  In 457 the senate offered to enthrone the master of soldiers named Aspar. Tribune and senator Leo I became emperor instead despite this offer. In 532 some senators gave support to Nika rioters against Justinian I. The emperor did not trust the wealthy senate during these turbulent times. After 541 the senate lost many members due to a plague pandemic. Justinian confiscated the wealth of remaining senators during ensuing economic turmoil. Heraclius the Elder and his son were declared consuls with backing of Carthage senate members in 608. Previous emperor Phocas was deposed by the senate and arrested in a church by two senators. Empress Martina demanded imperial power in a grand ceremony held in the Hippodrome attended by the senate.

• 6. Gradual Decline And Disappearance

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  The senate's power gradually reduced over the course of history until its extinction in the 13th century. From the seventh century it functioned less as an institution than a class of dignitaries. Legal reforms under emperors Basil I and Leo VI removed many remaining powers. The title of senator could be bought from the emperor after Alexios I Komnenos accession. In 1197 the senate refused to be assessed for a special tax called Alamanikon. The emperor was forced to exempt the capital and tax the provinces instead. The last known act involved electing Nikolaos Kanabos as emperor during the Fourth Crusade. The ancient office finally vanished in crises of the mid 14th century.