A
reign is the period of a person's or
dynasty's occupation of the office of
monarch of a nation (e.g.,
Saudi Arabia,
Belgium,
Andorra), of a people (e.g.,
the Franks,
the Zulus) or of a spiritual community (e.g.,
Roman Catholicism,
Tibetan Buddhism,
Nizari Ismailism). In most hereditary monarchies and some elective monarchies (e.g.,
Holy Roman Empire) there have been no limits on the duration of a sovereign's reign or
incumbency, nor is there a
term of office. Thus, a reign usually lasts until the monarch dies, unless the monarchy itself is abolished or the monarch abdicates or is deposed.