triumvirate

triumvirate, in ancient Rome, a board of three officials. There were several types: Tresviri capitales, or tresviri nocturni, first instituted about 289 bc, assisted higher magistrates in their judicial functions, especially those relating to crime and the civil status of citizens. Tresviri epulones, originally a board of three priests, was created in 196 bc to take charge of the banquet of Jupiter, the key event in the festivals of the Ludi Romani and Ludi Plebeii....