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{{Hatnote|"Triarch" redirects here. For the union of Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh, also known in Westeros as the Kingdom of the Three Daughters, see [[Triarchy]]}}
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'''Triarch of Volantis''' is the title held by the three elected rulers of the [[Free Cities|Free City]] of [[Volantis]].
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==About==
 
[[File:Marc_Fishman_TriarchsElephant.jpg‎ ‎‎‎|The triarchs ride everywhere on [[elephants]] - by Marc Fishman © |thumb|300px|right]]
 
[[File:Marc_Fishman_TriarchsElephant.jpg‎ ‎‎‎|The triarchs ride everywhere on [[elephants]] - by Marc Fishman © |thumb|300px|right]]
'''Triarch of Volantis''' is the title used by the three elected officials of the Free City of [[Volantis]]. The triarchs are neither kings nor princes. Volantis is a freehold, like [[Valyria]] of old, and all freeborn landholders, regardless of gender share the rule. The triarchs are chosen from amongst those noble families who [[Old Blood|can prove unbroken descent]] from Valyria and serve until the first day of the New Year.{{Ref|aDwD|6}} The triarchs are considered so elevated that their feet are not allowed to touch the ground during their year of service. Instead, they ride everywhere atop [[elephants]].{{Ref|aDwD|6}}
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Volantis is ruled by three triarchs. They are neither kings nor princes, but instead are chosen by every freeborn landowner, regardless of gender.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Volantis}}{{Ref|ADWD|6}}
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The triarchs are chosen from amongst [[Old Blood|the noble families]] who can prove unbroken descent from old Valyria, and will serve for a year, until the first day of the new year. The triarchs of Volantis are considered so elevated that they are not allowed to have their feet touch the ground during their year of service.{{Ref|ADWD|6}}
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The elections last ten days, with much campaigning and bribery.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Free Cities: Volantis}}{{Ref|ADWD|27}} Volantis becomes filled with torchlight marches, speeches, [[mummer]]s and minstrels and dancers, [[bravos]] fighting duels for the honor of their candidates, [[elephant]]s with the names of would-be triarchs painted on their sides. Some candidates have [[slave]] girls and boys lay with voters to win votes.{{Ref|ADWD|27}} A former triarch can be re-elected.{{Ref|ADWD|27}}{{Ref|ADWD|33}}
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There has never been a child triarch, in contrast to the child kings in [[Westeros]].{{Ref|ADWD|27}} As the three triarchs rule together, two triarchs can restrict the influence of the third triarch until the end of his term, should that be necessary.{{Ref|ADWD|27}}
  
==History==
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The triarchs belong to one of two political parties: the [[Tigers (Volantis)|tigers]] and the [[Elephants (Volantis)|elephants]]. The elephants are the party of the merchants and moneylenders, while the tigers are old aristocracy and warriors. The elephants advocate trade and the tigers advocate conquest.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Doom of Valyria}} Since the rise of the elephants at the end of the [[Century of Blood]], no more than one tiger has been named triarch at a time the other two always being elephants.{{Ref|ADWD|14}}
An elected triarch shares joint rulership of the city of [[Volantis]] with two other triarchs. A triarch's term lasts for one year. However, a triarch may run for re-election for the post as many times as they wish. Each year the freeborn landholders of Volantis can elect a new triarch or re-elect the current one.  
 
  
The elections last for ten days. Volantis becomes filled with torchlight marches, speeches, mummers and minstrels and dancers, [[bravos]] fighting duels for the honor of their candidates, [[elephant]]s with the names of would-be triarchs painted on their sides. Some candidates have [[slave]] girls and boys lay with voters to win votes.
+
Some of the first elephants were women, one of whom, [[Trianna]], was returned four times. Volantis hasn't had a female triarch for three hundred years.{{Ref|ADWD|27}}
  
According to Ser [[Jorah Mormont]], there has never been a child triarch, in contrast to the child kings in [[Westeros]]. If one of the triarchs ever went mad, as did King [[Aerys II Targaryen]], the other two triarchs would restrict his influence until his year ran out.  
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==History==
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{{See also|Volantis#History}}
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After the [[Doom of Valyria]], during the [[Century of Blood]], the Volantenes considered themselves the heirs to the [[Valyrian Freehold]] and rightful rulers of the world.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Doom of Valyria}} Those of the Old Blood, later known as the tigers, favored war, whilst the moneylenders and merchants, later known as the elephants, favored to achieve dominion by trade. In the end, the tigers held sway for almost a century, and led Volantis into a conflict with the other Free Cities. This conflict would eventually involve all of the Free Cities except for (as far as is known) [[Lorath]]. At first, Volantis succeeded in their conquest. But an alliance of [[Tyrosh]] and [[Pentos]] resisted Volantis, and [[Myr]] and [[Lys]] rebelled. Volantis was further defeated by an alliance of [[Qohor]] and [[Norvos]], by [[Dothraki]], by [[Storm King]] [[ Argilac Durrandon]], and by Lord [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]] of [[Dragonstone]]. In the end, the Volantene faction favoring peace, the elephants, took power from the tigers, and the fighting was at an end.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Doom of Valyria}}{{Ref|ADWD|14}}
  
Some women of good birth who dwell behind the [[Black Wall]] have the ability to vote. Three hundred years ago there was a female triarch, [[Trianna]]. Only those of the Old Blood who can trace their ancestry back to [[Valyria]] can be triarch.  The triarchs belong to either the elephant or tiger parties.
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For the last three centuries, since taking power from the tigers, at least two of the three triarchs in power have been elephants.{{Ref|aDwD|8}} Some of the first elephants had been women, and female triarch [[Trianna]] was even chosen for four years.{{Ref|ADWD|27}}
  
 
==Political Parties==
 
==Political Parties==
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The three triarchs of Volantis are chosen from amongst two political parties:
  
===Tigers===
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*'''[[Tigers (Volantis)|Tigers]]''': The tigers originate from those of the [[Old Blood]] who favored conquest at the start of the [[Century of Blood]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| Ancient History: The Doom of Valyria}}{{Ref|ADWD|14}} Some years the tigers elect a triarch, other years there is no member of the tiger party elected triarch.{{Ref|ADWD|14}} The [[tiger cloaks]], the Volantene guards, are presumably named after the militant tiger party. The tiger party has not held power for the last three hundred years.{{Ref|ADWD|14}}
[[‎File:Marc Fishman the triarch II.jpg|When the elephants came to power, their followers went on a rampage, knocking the heads from the statues of those they blamed for all the wars and deaths. © Marc Fishman|thumb|300px|right]]
 
The tigers are old aristocracy and warriors.  They tend to be imperialists and advocate the sword. The tiger party led Volantis in battle and after [[Bleeding Years|the failed wars]] to take control of the world after the [[Doom of Valyria]]. The [[tiger cloaks]], the Volantene guards, are named after the militant tiger party.
 
  
===Elephants===
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*'''[[Elephants (Volantis)|Elephants]]''': The elephants are the party of the merchants and moneylenders, advocating trade.{{Ref|ADWD|14}}  Some of the first elephants were women.{{Ref|ADWD|27}} When the elephants came to power, their followers went on a rampage, knocking the heads from the statues of those they blamed for all the wars and deaths.{{Ref|aDwD|22}} The elephant party has held power for the last three hundred years, during which at least two of the three triarchs in power have been elephants.{{Ref|aDwD|14}}
The elephants are the party of the merchants and moneylenders. The elephants advocate trade. When the elephants came to power, their followers went on a rampage, knocking the heads from the statues of those they blamed for all the wars and deaths.{{Ref|aDwD|22}} The elephant party has held power for the last three hundred years, during which at least two of the three triarchs in power have been elephants.{{Ref|aDwD|8}} [[Illyrio Mopatis]] of [[Pentos]] has paid Triarch [[Nyessos Vhassar]] of the elephant party enough to own him eight times over.{{Ref|aDwD|18}}
 
  
 
==Past Triarchs==
 
==Past Triarchs==
*[[Horonno]] of the tigers
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*[[Belicho]], a tiger;{{Ref|ADWD|33}} a book has been written about Belicho, called ''[[The Life of the Triarch Belicho]]''{{Ref|ADWD|33}}
*[[Vogarro]] of the elephants
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*[[Horonno]], a tiger, returned every year for forty years, put to death when he declared himself triarch for life{{Ref|twoiaf| The Free Cities: Volantis}}{{Ref|ADWD|22}}
*[[Trianna]] of the elephants
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*[[Marqelo Tagaros]], Triarch during the [[Century of Blood]]{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Westerlands}}
*[[Belicho]] of the tigers - there is a book written on Belicho called ''[[The Life of the Triarch Belicho]]''
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*[[Trianna]], an elephant, Triarch during the Century of Blood, returned four times{{Ref|ADWD|27}}
*[[Marqelo Tagaros]]
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*[[Vhalaso]] the Munificent, an early triarch who ordered the construction of the [[Long Bridge]]{{Ref|twoiaf| The Free Cities: Volantis}}
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*[[Vogarro]], an elephant, seven times elected{{ref|ADWD|27}}
  
 
==Recent Events==
 
==Recent Events==
 
===''A Dance of Dragons''===
 
===''A Dance of Dragons''===
Elections are being held in [[Volantis]] for the triarchs.  
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[[‎File:Marc Fishman the triarch II.jpg|When the elephants came to power, their followers went on a rampage, knocking the heads from the statues of those they blamed for all the wars and deaths. © Marc Fishman|thumb|300px|right]]
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[[Illyrio Mopatis]] of [[Pentos]] has paid Triarch [[Nyessos Vhassar]] of the elephant party enough to own him eight times over.{{Ref|aDwD|18}}
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Ser [[Jorah Mormont]] and [[Tyrion Lannister]] visit [[Volantis]] on the third day of the elections. They board the ''[[Selaesori Qhoran]]'' two days later, before the elections end.{{Ref|ADWD|27}}
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Elections are being held in [[Volantis]] for the triarchs.{{Ref|ADWD|27}}
  
 
The city's incumbent triarchs are:
 
The city's incumbent triarchs are:
* [[Malaquo Maegyr]] of the tigers
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* [[Malaquo Maegyr]], a tiger{{Ref|ADWD|14}}{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* [[Nyessos Vhassar]] of the elephants
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* [[Doniphos Paenymion]], an elephant{{Ref|ADWD|14}}{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
* [[Doniphos Paenymion]] of the elephants
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* [[Nyessos Vhassar]], an elephant{{Ref|ADWD|14}}{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
  
Candidates to become new triarchs are:
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Known candidates to become new triarchs are:{{Ref|ADWD|27}}{{Ref|ADWD|Appendix}}
 
* [[Alios Qhaedar]]
 
* [[Alios Qhaedar]]
 
* [[Parquello Vaelaros]]
 
* [[Parquello Vaelaros]]
 
* [[Belicho Staegone]]
 
* [[Belicho Staegone]]
  
The results of the new elections have not yet been revealed. With the city thirsty for war against [[Daenerys Targaryen]], {{Ref|aDwD|22}} speculation is rife that two tigers might be elected triarch, something that has not happened for three hundred years.
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While the elections have ended,{{Ref|aDwD|56}} the results of the new elections have not yet been revealed. With the city thirsty for war against [[Daenerys Targaryen]], {{Ref|aDwD|22}} speculation is that, no matter who is elected triarch, Volantis will go to war against Daenerys Targaryen.{{Ref|ADWD|27}}
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While sailing toward [[Meereen]], [[Victarion Greyjoy]] recalls stopping briefly in Volantis and having seen galleys heading to [[Slaver's Bay]] taking on provisions. The whole city had seemed drunk. Sailors and soldiers and tinkers had been observed dancing in the streets with nobles and fat merchants, and in every inn and winesink cups were being raised to the new triarchs.{{Ref|aDwD|56}} 
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Aboard the ''[[Iron Victory]]'' [[Moqorro]] tells Victarion his flames have confirmed that Volantis has sided with the tigers.{{ref|ADWD|63}}
  
While sailing toward [[Meereen]], [[Victarion Greyjoy]] recalls stopping briefly in Volantis and having seen galleys heading to [[Slaver's Bay]] taking on provisions. The whole city had seemed drunk. Sailors and soldiers and tinkers had been observed dancing in the streets with nobles and fat merchants, and in every inn and winesink cups were being raised to the new triarchs. All the talk had been of the gold and gems and [[slave]]s that would flood into Volantis once the [[Daenerys Targaryen|dragon queen]] was dead.{{Ref|aDwD|56}} [[Moqorro]] tells Victarion his flames have confirmed that Volantis has sided with the tigers.{{ref|ADWD|63}}
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In Meereen [[Skahaz mo Kandaq]] informs Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] that Volantis has launched its fleet against Daenerys Targaryen, and that [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]] means to open Meereen's gates for them.{{Ref|aDwD|55}}
  
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
{{Quote|“Why [[Volantis]] needs three princes when [[Dorne]] makes do with one, I will never know.”{{Ref|aDwD|6}}}} – Ser [[Gerris Drinkwater]]
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{{Quote|“Why [[Volantis]] needs three princes when [[Dorne]] makes do with one, I will never know.”{{Ref|aDwD|6}}|Ser [[Gerris Drinkwater]]}}
  
==References and Notes==
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==References==
{{References}}
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{{references}}
  
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[[Category:Triarchs of Volantis| ]]
 
[[Category:Titles]]
 
[[Category:Titles]]
 
[[Category:Volantis]]
 
[[Category:Volantis]]

Latest revision as of 12:13, 23 August 2021

Triarch of Volantis is the title held by the three elected rulers of the Free City of Volantis.

About

The triarchs ride everywhere on elephants - by Marc Fishman ©

Volantis is ruled by three triarchs. They are neither kings nor princes, but instead are chosen by every freeborn landowner, regardless of gender.[1][2]

The triarchs are chosen from amongst the noble families who can prove unbroken descent from old Valyria, and will serve for a year, until the first day of the new year. The triarchs of Volantis are considered so elevated that they are not allowed to have their feet touch the ground during their year of service.[2]

The elections last ten days, with much campaigning and bribery.[1][3] Volantis becomes filled with torchlight marches, speeches, mummers and minstrels and dancers, bravos fighting duels for the honor of their candidates, elephants with the names of would-be triarchs painted on their sides. Some candidates have slave girls and boys lay with voters to win votes.[3] A former triarch can be re-elected.[3][4]

There has never been a child triarch, in contrast to the child kings in Westeros.[3] As the three triarchs rule together, two triarchs can restrict the influence of the third triarch until the end of his term, should that be necessary.[3]

The triarchs belong to one of two political parties: the tigers and the elephants. The elephants are the party of the merchants and moneylenders, while the tigers are old aristocracy and warriors. The elephants advocate trade and the tigers advocate conquest.[5] Since the rise of the elephants at the end of the Century of Blood, no more than one tiger has been named triarch at a time the other two always being elephants.[6]

Some of the first elephants were women, one of whom, Trianna, was returned four times. Volantis hasn't had a female triarch for three hundred years.[3]

History

After the Doom of Valyria, during the Century of Blood, the Volantenes considered themselves the heirs to the Valyrian Freehold and rightful rulers of the world.[5] Those of the Old Blood, later known as the tigers, favored war, whilst the moneylenders and merchants, later known as the elephants, favored to achieve dominion by trade. In the end, the tigers held sway for almost a century, and led Volantis into a conflict with the other Free Cities. This conflict would eventually involve all of the Free Cities except for (as far as is known) Lorath. At first, Volantis succeeded in their conquest. But an alliance of Tyrosh and Pentos resisted Volantis, and Myr and Lys rebelled. Volantis was further defeated by an alliance of Qohor and Norvos, by Dothraki, by Storm King Argilac Durrandon, and by Lord Aegon Targaryen of Dragonstone. In the end, the Volantene faction favoring peace, the elephants, took power from the tigers, and the fighting was at an end.[5][6]

For the last three centuries, since taking power from the tigers, at least two of the three triarchs in power have been elephants.[7] Some of the first elephants had been women, and female triarch Trianna was even chosen for four years.[3]

Political Parties

The three triarchs of Volantis are chosen from amongst two political parties:

  • Tigers: The tigers originate from those of the Old Blood who favored conquest at the start of the Century of Blood.[5][6] Some years the tigers elect a triarch, other years there is no member of the tiger party elected triarch.[6] The tiger cloaks, the Volantene guards, are presumably named after the militant tiger party. The tiger party has not held power for the last three hundred years.[6]
  • Elephants: The elephants are the party of the merchants and moneylenders, advocating trade.[6] Some of the first elephants were women.[3] When the elephants came to power, their followers went on a rampage, knocking the heads from the statues of those they blamed for all the wars and deaths.[8] The elephant party has held power for the last three hundred years, during which at least two of the three triarchs in power have been elephants.[6]

Past Triarchs

Recent Events

A Dance of Dragons

When the elephants came to power, their followers went on a rampage, knocking the heads from the statues of those they blamed for all the wars and deaths. © Marc Fishman

Illyrio Mopatis of Pentos has paid Triarch Nyessos Vhassar of the elephant party enough to own him eight times over.[10]

Ser Jorah Mormont and Tyrion Lannister visit Volantis on the third day of the elections. They board the Selaesori Qhoran two days later, before the elections end.[3]

Elections are being held in Volantis for the triarchs.[3]

The city's incumbent triarchs are:

Known candidates to become new triarchs are:[3][11]

While the elections have ended,[12] the results of the new elections have not yet been revealed. With the city thirsty for war against Daenerys Targaryen, [8] speculation is that, no matter who is elected triarch, Volantis will go to war against Daenerys Targaryen.[3]

While sailing toward Meereen, Victarion Greyjoy recalls stopping briefly in Volantis and having seen galleys heading to Slaver's Bay taking on provisions. The whole city had seemed drunk. Sailors and soldiers and tinkers had been observed dancing in the streets with nobles and fat merchants, and in every inn and winesink cups were being raised to the new triarchs.[12]

Aboard the Iron Victory Moqorro tells Victarion his flames have confirmed that Volantis has sided with the tigers.[13]

In Meereen Skahaz mo Kandaq informs Ser Barristan Selmy that Volantis has launched its fleet against Daenerys Targaryen, and that Hizdahr zo Loraq means to open Meereen's gates for them.[14]

Quotes

“Why Volantis needs three princes when Dorne makes do with one, I will never know.”[2]

References