古羅馬時代的管理和顧問議會，是羅馬政府機構中持續時間最長的單位。在君主制時期，元老院是一個顧問議會，權力並不明確。在共和國時期，元老院為執政官提供諮詢，其權力應該僅在執政官之下。元老院的議員由執政官指派，但由於他們是終身制，因此到了共和國後期，元老院已獨立於執政官，享有廣泛的權力。在西元前312年左右，監察官從執政官手中接過任命議員的權力。西元前81年，蘇拉使選舉自動化，例行公事地承認了之前所有的財務官。元老院成為主要的管理機構，控制着共和國的財政。後來凱撒把元老院議員的人數增加到900名。奧古斯都又把人數減少為300名，並削弱元老院的權力，賦予其新的司法和立法功能。其人數後來上升到2,000人；其中很多為地方人士，最重要的元老院議員為富裕的大地主。元老院的權力不斷減弱，直至6世紀該機構最終消亡。
Senate
In ancient Rome, the governing and advisory council that was the most permanent element in the Roman constitution. Under the monarchy, it served as an advisory council, with undefined powers. During the republic, it advised the consuls and supposedly stood second to them in power. Senators were appointed by the consuls, but since they served for life, by the late republic the Senate became independent of the consuls, with extensive powers. About 312 BC the selection of senators was transferred from the consuls to the censors. In 81 BC Sulla made selection automatic, routinely admitting all former quaestors. It became the chief governing body, and controlled the republic's finances. Julius Caesar increased the number of senators to 900. Augustus dropped the number to 300 and reduced the Senate's power, while giving it new judicial and legislative functions. The number later increased to about 2,000; many were provincials, the most important being the great landowners. The Senate's power faded until it disappeared in the 6th century AD.
