Great Council (Hist.)

The "Council after the Venetian mode" favoured by Savonarola, which was adopted as the new form of government in Florence at the end of 1494. The Great Council (Consiglio Maggiore) had power to create all the chief magistrates and approve all laws. All citizens were eligible who had attained the age of 29, had paid their taxes, and were beneficiati. Whenever this number of beneficiati exceeded 1500 the number was divided into thirds, each third serving six months. As the total number at the first Great Council was 3200, about 1000 sat at a time.

<em>Romola</em>

Text