The latter weapon was wielded with both hands like a quarterstaff. Likewise, if an axe was used, it almost invariably was wielded with both hands. He also wielded a black spear, and in early texts, a poison sword. However, Algol's son, jealous of his father's feat, wielded the sword and became corrupted. Powerful women both wisely and unwisely wielded power at various occasions. Mussolini wielded enormous political powers as the effective ruler of Italy. As a weapon, it may be wielded with either one or two hands. Butterfly swords are usually wielded in pairs. For many years she wielded the imperial powers. One of the weapons traditionally wielded by already-established unions is strike action. With these appointments, Andropov effectively wielded the powers of the nomenklatura. They wielded great power and had vast influence. Weapons and objects can also be wielded, though firearms are rare. Coolidge also wielded the veto pen as governor. The Roman contus was also wielded two-handed.