The Great Council or Major Council (; ) was a political organ of the Republic of Venice between 1172 and 1797. It was the chief political assembly, responsible for electing many of the other political offices and the senior councils that ran the Republic, passing laws, and exercising judicial oversight. Following the lockout () of 1297, its membership was established on hereditary right, exclusive to the patrician families enrolled in the Golden Book of the Venetian nobility. The Great Council was unique at the time in its usage of lottery to select nominators for proposal of candidates, who were thereafter voted upon. History The exact origins of the Great Council are unclear. Tradition places its establishment in 1172, but it likely has its origin in a 'Council of Wise Men' () that is attested in 1141. That was a council established to limit and control the power of the Doge of Venice, and dominated by the Venetian nobility. Early history of the Great Council The Great Council superseded the general assembly of the people (the or , which was convened only to ratify laws and elect a new Doge. Its role was to elect all magistracies, approve laws, as well as exercise judicial functions including the granting of pardons. However, as the Great Council itself was too large and unwieldy, numbering some 300–400 members already in the 13th century, the actual deliberation and decision-making of government took place in smaller councils, more capable of action. In the 13th century, the most important of these was the Council of Forty, which not only served as the supreme judicial body, but also prepared legislation to be submitted to the Great Council. Its three heads (the ), along with the six ducal councillors, and the Doge, constituted the Signoria of Venice. In its early days, the Great Council was a relatively open and democratic institution, its membership being in theory open to the entire body of free citizens. Members were nominated by three electors, though it is unclear how these were chosen; they were selected partly by lot and partly by rotation. In 1230, the electoral process was altered for unknown reasons, with seven electors serving between 29 September and 29 March, and three during the other six months. However, it appears that the number of electors fluctuated, and could be as small as four. These electors chose one hundred members to be