Deliberative council in the city-states of ancient Greece.
It existed in almost all constitutional city-states, especially from the late 6th century BC. In Athens the boule was created as an aristocratic body by Solon in 594 BC; later, under tribes (50 each). A certain number, in rough proportion to size, were allotted to each deme . Complementing the work of the ecclesia and areopagus , the boule controlled finances, managed the fleet and cavalry, evaluated officials, received foreign ambassadors, and advised the {{link=strategus">strategus . The boule model largely influenced the organization of councils of other cities in the Hellenic period.