triarchy

[Gr. treis -three, and arc he rule, government.] Government by three persons. "There lye betweene and about these citties, certain triarchies, containing every one of them as much as an whole countrey." -P. Holland : Pliny , bk. v., ch. xviii. *tri-är-i-an, adj . [Latin triarii =the veteran Roman soldiers, who were stationed in the third rank from the front, when the troops were drawn up in order of battle, from tres =three; the other two were known as hastati and principes .] Occupying the third rank or place. "Let the brave second and Triarian band Firm against all impre ion stand." Cowley: Restoration of Charles II.