What is the Curia? Is this concept left in the past or has it survived to this day?

The amazing history of the word "curia" can be traced over many centuries. It has long been international and has been visited in the languages of various nations and states. Strangely enough, in Russia the concept of "curia" was familiar to people and was actively used. How this word arose, what it meant for many centuries and whether it is applied now - we learn from this article.

Ancient Rome

In the era of the formation of Roman civilization, the tribes were united on a territorial and national basis. Initially, there were three tribes - Ramna, Titius and Lucius. Under these names, three branches of the Roman people were formed: the Romans themselves, the Sabines and the Etruscans. Each tribe had its own unique association, called the "Curia". It was a kind of union, where only adult men were allowed. It is possible that in these associations, which were called curial comitia, initiation ceremonies were held, during which young men became men and defenders of a kind. The head of the curia was a chicken - the chosen representative of the tribe, to which the priestly functions were entrusted. The place where rites were held was also called "curia".

This name was preserved even when Rome chose its kings, and later - at the time of the birth of the great Roman Republic. The Kuriat commission began to admit plebeians into its ranks and softened the demands on its members. At the time of the empire the curia degenerated into city councils, which had the functions of local authorities.

Curia in the Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages, people borrowed a lot of achievements from the famous ancient Romans. Passed to this era and the concept of "curia". This word was used to refer to large landowners - feudal lords with their king. The feudal curia gradually became the royal council (Curia Regis). The functions of such councils are not strictly outlined, the royal curiae were convened irregularly, to resolve certain issues. With the strengthening of absolutism, the royal curia degenerates into a narrow circle of approximate kings, and judicial and financial matters remain under the jurisdiction of individual state institutions.

Electoral Curia

In the European electoral law , the word "curia" usually refers to one or another class, whose members had the right to participate in elections to government bodies of the country. Usually power was in the hands of members of the three curiae: aristocracy, traders and representatives of the bourgeoisie. In Russia, there was also a division into the curia. For example, elections to Zemstvo electoral assemblies were carried out according to curiae - peasant, noble and raznochinskaya. After the legal reforms that have taken place in all European countries, the electoral curia ceased to exist.

Church Curia

In the era of the Early Church, the bishops took part in spreading the Christian doctrine. They solved various economic affairs of Christian communities and often acted as their representatives in worldly disputes. Over time, the influence of the church has increased, a new number of employees have appeared, serving her. They were apostolic lawyers, notaries, chaplains and others. Later, the work of individuals became ineffective, and the emergence of various departments like the papal office, the College of Cardinals and the Apostolic Chamber was quite expected.

The Papal Curia is the unification of various activities of the representatives of the Catholic Church and the granting of certain powers to them. Separate subdivisions of the papal curia on behalf of the Pope answer the questions of believers, consider individual complaints, appeals and appeals aimed at the address of the Holy See.

Thus, the word "curia" has been transformed and has existed for two and a half thousand years. This is a rare example of a concept that survived to the present day, retaining almost the same meaning that it had at the beginning of its existence.