Primus inter pares means First Among Equals. This is a term mostly found in dramatic criticism. It's a feature of the classic tragic hero being the first among equals, that is, having outstanding qualities and either of Royal or noble birth: Oedipus in Sophocles' Oedipus Rex is of noble birth; he's a prince. Othello is another tragic hero in W. Shakespeare's Othello. He is not royal but he has noble birth: he's a true citizen of Venice and a general of the army; he's close to the Royal, the Duke of Milan in the drama.