Temple-State

A temple-state is an independent state under the rule of a priesthood or religious order. They are so-named because the center of their governance is the temple where the ruling priesthood is based, just as a city-state is centered on a single city which controls the surrounding hinterland. In such states, the high priest or priestess of the ruling priesthood fulfills the same role as the prince, duke, archon, etc. who governs a more typical city-state (in fact they sometimes use the title of archon). However, the priesthood itself will rarely be involved full-time in the daily administration of the state, and will instead likely employ an auxiliary order that attends to such pragmatic affairs while the priests attend to spiritual matters. 
Noteworthy temple-states include XXXXXXX and XXXXXX (both members of the Helvandrian League), XXXXXXXX, XXXXXX, XXXXXXX, and XXXXXXXXXX.