Interrex, in′tėr-reks, n. one who rules during an interregnum: a regent.

The senate, which had been cut down by assassination to suit the views of Sulla, elected L. Valerius Flaccus as interrex, who immediately caused Sulla to be invested with the power of doing whatever he liked, as long as he liked; or, to use the official phraseology, made him dictator for an unlimited period.

Finally, the people elected to every magistracy with the exception of the occasional offices of Dictator and Interrex.

When the year began, no Consuls had been chosen, and an interrex became necessary—one interrex after another—to make the election of Consuls possible in accordance with the forms of the constitution.

These men remained in office each for five days, and it was customary that an election which had been delayed should be completed within the days of the second or third interrex.