triumvir

A triumvir is a member of a triumvirate, which is a political alliance of three men. Historically, the term is most commonly associated with ancient Rome. In the Roman Republic, a triumvirate could be formed for various purposes, often to consolidate power or achieve specific political objectives. These alliances were not always formally recognized by the state but could wield significant influence.

The most famous examples are the First and Second Triumvirates of Rome. The First Triumvirate, formed around 60 BCE, comprised Julius Caesar, Pompey the Great, and Marcus Licinius Crassus. They informally agreed to support each other's political ambitions, effectively controlling Roman politics for a period. This alliance eventually dissolved due to internal rivalries.

The Second Triumvirate, formed in 43 BCE, was a legally constituted body composed of Octavian (later Augustus), Mark Antony, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus. This triumvirate was officially sanctioned by the Roman Senate and was instrumental in defeating Caesar's assassins and subsequently in the civil wars that followed. Unlike the first, this triumvirate was a formal office with specific powers. The term "triumvir" therefore denotes a participant in such a three-man ruling or influential body.