'two men dealing with naval matters',[1] were two naval officers elected by the people of Rome to repair and equip the Roman fleet.
[2] Both Duumviri navales were assigned to one Roman consul, and each controlled 20 ships.
[3][4] It has been suggested that they may have been in charge of the ships of the Socii navales rather than those of the Roman fleet.
[1] The position was established in 311 BC by the Lex Decia.
[4] Some historians believe that they ceased to exist in 267 BC, and were replaced by four Quaestores classici,[6] However, other historians believe that the Quastores classici acted as auxiliaries to the Duumviri navales, rather than replacing them.