co-emperors
Shared throne rulers
Co-emperors are rulers who share imperial power simultaneously, governing jointly rather than one succeeding the other.
The term appears most often in discussions of the Roman Empire, where emperors sometimes divided administrative responsibilities or shared authority with designated heirs: Diocletian established a system of co-emperors to manage the vast empire.
The arrangement could be cooperative or contentious.
Emperor who embraced Christianity
Rule by two equals
- successionFollowing in order
- divisionSplitting into parts
- administrationOrganizational oversight and control
- AugustusRome's inaugural emperor
Caesar · power-sharing · partition · edict · decree · concordat · senate · co-regency
Male children of same parents
- father-sonMale lineage pair
- adoptionLegal family formation
- heirsThose who inherit
- bloodlineAncestry through generations
succession · legitimacy · dynasty · regency · elevation · proclamation · inheritance · claimant
Ongoing contest between opponents
- usurpationWrongful seizure of power
- assassinationMurder of a prominent figure
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- allianceFormal union of parties
reconciliation · treaty · battle · siege · coup · intrigue · faction · loyalists
Constantine
Emperor who embraced Christianity
diarchy
Rule by two equals
- successionFollowing in order
- divisionSplitting into parts
- administrationOrganizational oversight and control
Augustus · Caesar · power-sharing · partition · edict · decree · concordat · senate · co-regency · legitimacy
brothers
Male children of same parents
- father-sonMale lineage pair
- adoptionLegal family formation
- heirsThose who inherit
bloodline · succession · legitimacy · dynasty · regency · elevation · proclamation · inheritance · claimant · pretender
rivalry
Ongoing contest between opponents
- usurpationWrongful seizure of power
- assassinationMurder of a prominent figure
- betrayalBreaking of trust
alliance · reconciliation · treaty · battle · siege · coup · intrigue · faction · loyalists · rebellion