Sanhedrin, Sanhedriyyot, or Mere Invention?

The institution of the Sanhedrin has been taken for granted in much discussion on Second Temple Judaism. In recent years, however, it has come to be questioned. This study examines the primary evidence and asks historical questions: Did such an institution (under the name "Sanhedrin" or some other name or names) actually exist? If so, what form did it take? How might it have functioned? The study concludes that such an institution did exist, but not as described in the Mishnah tractate Sanhedrin, and it varied in function and power through its long history.