Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c7.405

c7.405

In spirit and character this form of Vedic aristocratic constitution is similar to those of some Greek oligarchies, though somewhat different in form. We have also noticed above the government of the Icelandic republic where a council of 39 representative chiefs ruled the state. Our college of rulers appears to have been a similar body, though we are not able to determine its exact number, and the *samiti* voiced the will of the people through the heads of families. The state of affairs found in early Germany and described by Tacitus provides an even closer parallel. "On small matters the chiefs consult; on larger questions the community; but with this limitation, that even the subjects, the decision of which rests with the people, are first handled by the chiefs."¹ These parallels give us certain details and add to our vague picture of this form of Vedic aristocratic government.