  We construct higher-dimensional generalizations of the classical
Hess-Appel'rot rigid body system. We give a Lax pair with a spectral parameter
leading to an algebro-geometric integration of this new class of systems, which
is closely related to the integration of the Lagrange bitop performed by us
recently and uses Mumford relation for theta divisors of double unramified
coverings. Based on the basic properties satisfied by such a class of systems
related to bi-Poisson structure, quasi-homogeneity, and conditions on the
Kowalevski exponents, we suggest an axiomatic approach leading to what we call
the "class of systems of Hess-Appel'rot type".
