Duumvirate
For the ancient Roman dual magistracy, see DuoviriA
duumvirate is an alliance between two equally powerful political or military leaders. The term can also be used to describe a state with two different military leaders who both declare themselves to be the sole leader of the state.
The tiny European nation of
Andorra is technically a duumvirate, as it is ruled by two co-princes (one of whom is the President of
France), although the
prime minister actually wields power as the
head of government. Duumvirates in history include the city-states of
Carthage, ruled by two mayors, and ancient
Rome, ruled by two
Consuls.
In the fictional
Middle-earth legendarium of author
J.R.R. Tolkien, the
Black Númenóreans' coastal city of
Umbar was typically ruled by a duumvirate.
Duumvirates are rare in human history and are inherently unstable, as one of the two rulers will almost invariably seek greater power and, eventually, dominance.
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Duoviri - ancient Roman magistracy of two men
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Triumvirate - the equivalent term for three people
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Decemvirate - the equivalent term for ten people
