What is a triumvitrate?

Answer 1

A triumvirate was a committee composed by three men which was sometimes appointed during the Roman Republic to carry out specific tasks. It is also a name given to two three-man alliances which were formed in the Late Roman Republic. The word comes from the Latin words for three and for men.

The First Triumvirate was between Gaius Julius Caesar, Marcus Licinius Crassus, and Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey the Great). It lasted from 60 BC until the death of Crassus in 53 BC.

The Second Triumvirate was between Octavian (later known as Augustus), Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, and Marc Antony. In 43 BC these three men were given a five year mandate to rule Rome with extraordinary powers. This mandate was then renewed for another five years.

Answer 2

A triumvirate literally mean three men. Although we are most familiar with the Roman first and second triumvirates, which dealt with government, a triumvirate can deal with anything. It can be a committee, an investigative panel, or a business coalition.