Political Fragments of Archytas, Charondas, Zaleucus + Hierocles

Of these parts, each again receives a triple division. Of that which consults, one part presides, another governs, and another counsels for the general good. The part which presides is that which plans, contrives, and deliberates about what pertains to the community prior to the other parts, and afterwards refers its counsels to the senate. The governing part is either that which now rules for the first time or which has previously performed that office. The third part, which consults for the general good, receives the advice of the parts prior to itself and confirms by its votes and authority whatever is referred to its decision.

II: Further division of the consultative power.

In short, the consultative class is the best; the class engaged in manual occupations is the worst; and the auxiliary class is a middle ground between the two. The consultative class ought to govern; the manual class ought to be governed; and the auxiliary class ought both to govern and be governed. For the consultative class deliberates what ought to be done; the auxiliary class, being belligerent, rules over the mechanical tribe, but because it receives counsel from others, it is itself governed.