Gerusia
/ɡəˈruːziə/noun
A council of elders, especially the governing council of ancient Sparta.
Did you know?The Spartan Gerousia consisted of 28 men over 60, plus the two kings, and served as both a governing body and a high court.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ǵerh₂-
“To grow old or become aged”
Ancient Greek
Greek
gérōn
“An old man or elder”
Classical Greek
Greek
gerousía
“A council or body of elders”
Hellenistic and Roman periods
Greek/Latin
gerousia / gerusia
“An elders’ council, especially the Spartan governing council”
19th Century
English
gerusia
“A council of elders, particularly in ancient Sparta”
Modern English
English
gerusia
“A historical term for an ancient council of elders”
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