in antiquity, a kind of judges, or magistrates, in ancient Sparta, answering to what the Areopagites were at Athens. See Areopagus.

The word is formed of the Greek γέρων, which signifies "old man." Whence also the words geronic, something belonging to an old man; and Geronicon, a famous book among the modern Greeks, containing the lives of the ancient monks. The senate of gerontes was called gerousia, that is, assembly or council of old men.

The gerontes were originally instituted by Lycurgus: their number, according to some, was 28; and according to others, 32. They governed in conjunction with the king, whose authority they were intended to balance, and to watch over the interests of the people. Polybius defines their office in few words, when he says, per ijsfor, ἐκ τῶν ἰψίων ὅλην ἀδιαχείριστον. None were to be admitted into this office under 60 years of age, and they held it for life. They were succeeded by the ephori.