Editing Interrex (section)

{{Short description|Position in ancient Rome}}
{{For|the interrex of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth|Interrex (Poland)}}
The '''interrex''' (plural '''interreges''') was an extraordinary [[magistrate]] during the [[Roman Kingdom]] and [[Roman Republic|Republic]]. Initially, the interrex was appointed after the death of the [[king of Rome]] until the election of his successor, hence its name—a ruler "between kings" ({{langx|la|inter reges}}). The position was retained during the Republic when both consuls were unable to assume their duties, especially holding elections. Interreges ruled for only five days, which often led several of them to be appointed in succession, the record being 15 interreges in 326 BC. They were exclusively chosen from among [[Patrician (ancient Rome)|patrician]] senators, and during the [[Conflict of the Orders]], their appointment was sometimes designed to hinder [[plebeians]] from reaching power or passing laws.

As with the [[Roman dictator|dictatorship]], interreges are mostly found until the time of the [[Second Punic War]]. The position was only resurrected by [[Sulla]] in 82 BC so he could become dictator, and between 55 and 52 BC, when [[Pompey]] disturbed the [[Roman Constitution|constitution]] for his own benefit.