1. plural of pentarchy; governments or ruling bodies consisting of five people
Usage: formal; political science
2. plural of pentarchy; groups of five major ecclesiastical centers or patriarchates
Usage: historical; Christianity

Examples

• The ancient pentarchies were rare forms of government where five leaders shared power equally.
• Several pentarchies emerged during the political upheaval of the late republic.
• The Byzantine pentarchies included Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem.
• Historians debate whether these pentarchies were effective governing structures.
• The ecclesiastical pentarchies represented the five most important Christian centers.
• Modern political scientists study ancient pentarchies to understand power-sharing arrangements.