Diarchy (or dyarchy) is a form of government where two people are usually the heads of state. The word comes from the Greek "δι-" "two elements" and "ἀρχή", "rule" (from ἄρχω; -αρχία is a derived suffix). The term duumvirate is a hyponym (from Latin duumvirātus, "male diarchy") but some people use it erroneously for women. Most commonly, the leaders of these diarchys, called diarchs, have the job for life with the position being hereditary. This means the position is given to children or family after the death of the diarch.