Describe the role of the council of nobles. What do we call this body today?

I need 6 sentences (at least)

This was the council of the Areopagus, which was formed before the democracy of Athens. It's power's and composition changed many times over the centuries. It was originally the central governing power of Athens, but under democracy, it was just another court with jurisdiction over homicide and other serious crimes. being a member of Areopagus included tenure for life. An Athenian member after he had served as one of the nine archons, his conduct in office was investigated. If he passed that investigation he became a member of Areopagus. The council of Areopagus often met on the hill of Areopagus in Athens south of Agora, north-west of Acropolis.