GEROUSIA, the council of elders at Sparta, corresponding in some of its functions to the Athenian Boule. In historical times it numbered 28 members, to whom were added ex officio the two kings and, later, the five ephors. Candidates must have passed their 6oth year; i.e., they must no longer be liable to military service. Vacancies were filled by the Apella; once elected, the gerontes held office for life and were irresponsible. The council prepared the business which was to be submitted to the Apelia and was empowered to set aside, in conjunction with the kings, any "crooked" decision of the people. Together with the kings and ephors it formed the supreme executive committee of the state, and it exercised also a considerable criminal and political jurisdiction, including the trial of kings; its competence extended to the infliction of a sentence of exile or even of death (see