From the fifth century San Marino was ruled by an assembly composed by all the family heads known as the Arengo.

[1] This process culminated in the 1600 statutes which defined the Council as the "supreme, absolute and only prince"[1] of the community, attributing to it "the right over life, death and goods of every citizen"[citation needed] together with every power needed to rule and manage the country.

This led to an increasing concentration of power in the hand of the richest families, which were also the only ones that could afford to pay for the necessary education.

The oligarchic nature of the council became even clearer when, between the 17th and 18th centuries, laws were passed to formally establish a noble class with 20 seats reserved to it.

This situation ended on 25 March 1906 when the Arengo was summoned once again after centuries and in which householders were asked whether the system of co-option of councillors for life should continue.