The Directory of the Ancients

The upper house was called the council of the ancients, and would have 250 members who had to be forty years of age or older. This house would generate all new legislation. A further check on the power of the legislature was an executive branch independent from it. Now there was obviously a lingering fear that a single executive would lead to monarchy or dictatorship. So the independent executive branch was actually a five man committee which gives the whole system of government its name, the directory. The directory would be tasked with implementing the laws passed by the council of 500 and approved by theCouncil of ancients. But the would also have control over the military and foreign policy, both of which would pretty much be