Senate

Senate is a term used to refer to a legislative or governing body. In many countries, a senate is the upper house of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: Senatus), so-called because it was a council of elders (senex means old man in Latin).

History

The original Roman Senate was established by the first King of Rome, Romulus. It was a political institution in the ancient Roman Republic, and was one of the most enduring institutions in Roman history, being established in the first days of the city of Rome (traditionally founded in 753 BC). It survived the overthrow of the Roman monarchy in 509 BC; the fall of the Roman Republic in the 1st century BC; the division of the Roman Empire in AD 395; and the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476; Justinian's attempted reconquest of the west in the 6th century, and lasted well into the Eastern Roman Empire's history.

Modern Senates

In modern times, several nations have established senates, often as part of a process of transitioning from a unicameral to a bicameral legislature. These include the United States Senate, the Senate of Canada, the Australian Senate, and the Senate of France.

Role and Function

The role and function of a senate can vary greatly from country to country. In some countries, the senate serves as a check on the power of the lower house, while in others it has a more advisory role. Some senates have significant power, while others are largely ceremonial.

See Also

• Bicameralism
• Unicameralism
• Parliament
• Congress

Senate Resources
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