Venetian Senate

The Senate (Venetian: Senato), formally the Consiglio dei Pregadi or Rogati (lit.

'Council of the Invited', Latin: Consilium Rogatorum),[1] was the main deliberative and legislative body of the Republic of Venice.

[2] Its creation was both the result of the rising predominance of the aristocratic element in the Republic, and of the necessity to govern a territory that was much more extensive than the earlier Dogado and still expanding at a rapid rate.

[2] A series of other judicial and fiscal and provincial governors also gained ex officio admittance, starting with the Avogadori de Comùn in 1293 and continuing into the 16th century, as new offices were created.

[4] Furthermore, ambassadors and senior military commanders held an ex officio position in the Senate from the day of their election to the end of the year after their return from their post.