Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c9.s4.115

c9.s4.115

During this exciting period the Assembly would be the supreme authority in all spheres of government, while the Council of nine merely translated the wishes and the commands of the former into action. Although we have said before that the "frequent assemblies" mentioned in the *Mahāparinibbāna Sutta* referred to the meetings of the council, this would be true only during times of peace. When Ajātasattu was bent upon the "utter ruin" of the Vajjian Confederation, the General Assembly of the Licchavis must have held its meetings more frequently than once a year. The council would have also met often during such a perilous period. Perhaps this would be valid for all republics of this period.