During the
Fascist rule in Italy, a ''''
(, plural: gerarchi'') was a higher officer of the
National Fascist Party (PNF). The highest
gerarchi, up to the Federal Secretary, were members of the National Council of the PNF and of the
Chamber of Fasces and Corporations. The secretary and members of the National Directorate of the PNF were members of the
Grand Council of Fascism. A
Ras (from the
homonymous Ethiopian title) was a
gerarca dominating in one province. So, for example,
Italo Balbo was the
Ras of Ferrara, and
Roberto Farinacci the
Ras of Cremona. ==Party Ranks==