What is an elder? Most likely, almost everyone can answer this question. However, not everyone knows about the features and nuances of this term. Also, not many are aware of the significance of these respected people for some peoples even at the present time. What an elder is will be discussed in the article.
Word in dictionary
When studying the meaning of the word "elder", one should resort to an explanatory dictionary, which says that these are the oldest and most experienced members of a kind, tribe or whole people. In this case, the term is accompanied by the mark "obsolete".
These people are highly honored and respected. Their power and high status are due to the fact that they have vast life experience and have a deep knowledge of customs and traditions. The elder is the leader of the social and economic life of the clan. He also acts as a judge in resolving any disputes.
If there is a tribal system in the community, then there is a council of elders in it. Heconsiders all issues that relate to the tribal community or the entire tribe.
Continuing to consider what the elders are, it must be said that they had almost unlimited powers. Their council or supreme representative could even resolve those disputes and contradictions that arose between different clans. In some cases, complex disputes could be brought to the discussion of the people's assembly.
Transformation
In ancient Athens, there was a council of elders with great power. Subsequently, it was transformed into the Areopagus. It arose during the tribal system and consisted of representatives who had life membership.
The Areopagus was replenished by former archons (high officials, military leaders). The candidates were elected by its current members. It should be noted that the representatives of the Areopagus had broad political, judicial, religious and controlling power. In other words, the elders were practically omnipotent.
The council consisted of nine representatives, who, in fact, were the stronghold of the aristocracy, and then the oligarchy. The main function was to control the observance of all laws, as well as the court in which cases related to the murder were considered.
Council in Parliament
Continuing to consider what an elder is, we note that their council existed in some parliaments. For example, this body was present in the German Bundestag. It was formed from representatives of various factions. It was created in everychamber according to a certain quota: one representative from each federal state (Bavaria, Saxony, etc.). According to the constitution, the council of elders is the official name of one of the parliamentary chambers.
Today
In conclusion of the consideration of the meaning of the obsolete word "elder" it is necessary to say about the existence of those at the present time. In some peoples, they are at the head of the clans, having a certain power. For example, this is common among the Chechens (teips), as well as among the Turkic peoples, who call the elders "aksakals", which translates as "white-bearded".
Chechens have a union of people who are related to each other by consanguinity through the male line, called "teip". Inside, they are divided into branches - "gars". Teips among Chechens are united into nine tukhtums, which are the main national union. The teip has a council of elders with fairly broad powers.
He is also present in the tukhtum and in fact is the supreme council. The latter has practically unlimited powers, and absolutely all members of communities and clans follow his decision. Currently, nine tukhtums include about one hundred mountain teips and about 70 lowland teips.
On the example of the Chechen Council of Elders, it can be argued that this is a fairly effective system of power. It has been preserved since the time of the ancient Greeks. Having gone through some transformation, such councils have in fact preserved and concentrated quite a lot of branches of power in their hands.
