The Autarch is a title for the ruler of the planet Lingane from the Isaac Asimov's Empire series.
Description[]
The Autarch was the sovereign ruler of the planet Lingane. The title emerged after a period of instability where competing commercial aristocracies vied for power. The Autarch unified these factions into a single, centralized government, wielding absolute executive authority. The Autarchs were known for their political cunning and pragmatism, which allowed Lingane to become a major commercial power and the only world in the Nebular Kingdoms to negotiate a treaty of non-interference with the expansionist Tyranni Empire.
The only named Autarch is Sander Jonti, whose personal conspiracy to destroy the Tyranni and dominate the galaxy ultimately failed and led to Lingane's loss of independence. However, the title implies a line of rulers preceding him who established and consolidated Lingane's power.