View source for Maria Tarpeia

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{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix         = The Illustrious Duchess
| name                     = Maria Tarpeia
| honorific-suffix         = [[Emperor's Council of Latium|CI]] [[Judiciary of Latium#Emperor's Counsel|IA]] [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Latium#Orders of chivalry|EE]] [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Latium#Orders of chivalry|ECA]] [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Latium#Dynastic of chivalry|EOV]]
| image                    = Maria Tarpeia as Consul.jpg
| image_size               = 220px
| office                   = [[Consul of Latium]]
| term_start               = 9 March 2014
| term_end                 = 18 February 2016
| monarch                  = [[Jason VI, Latin Emperor|Jason VI]]
| predecessor              = [[Constantine Otacilius]]
| successor                = [[Alexander Pompilius]]
| office3                  = [[Minority leaders of the Latin Senate|Senate Minority Leader]]
| term_start3              = 5 August 2010
| term_end3                = 9 March 2014
| monarch3                 = Jason VI Augustus
| 1blankname3              = Consul
| 1namedata3               = [[Constantine Otacilius]]
| predecessor3             = Antonius Farsuleius
| successor3               = Theodosius Fulvius
| office4                  = [[Conservative Party (Latium)|Leader of the Optimates]]
| term_start4              = 5 August 2010
| term_end4                = 18 February 2016
| predecessor4             = [[Antonius Farsuleius]]
| successor4               = [[Alexander Pompilius]]
| office5                  = [[Executive Council (Perateia)|Imperial Delator for Perateia]]
| term_start5              = 15 January 1995
| term_end5                = 7 May 2001
| monarch5                 = [[Jason VI, Latin Emperor|Jason VI Claudius]]
| 1blankname5              = 
| 1namedata5               = 
| predecessor5             = Constantine Goulas
| successor5               = [[Andronicus Syrgiannes]]
| office6                  = 
| term_start6              = 
| term_end6                = 
| 1blankname6              = 
| 1namedata6               = 
| predecessor6             = 
| successor6               = 
| office8                  = [[Senate of Latium|Senator of Latium]]
| term_start8              = 1 January 1991
| term_end8                = 18 February 2016
| term_start9              = 
| term_end9                = 
| birth_date               = {{birth date and age|1966|7|12|df=y}}
| birth_place              = Velia, [[Castellum ab Alba|Castellum ab Alba]], [[Latium]]
| death_date               = 
| death_place              = 
| birthname                = Maria Tarpeia Anicia Iuliana Antonia
| spouse                   = {{marriage| [[Christopher Ulpius|Duke Christopher Ulpius]]|22 August 1988|19 July 2016|end=d.}}
| party                    = [[Conservative Party (Latium)|Optimates]]
| children                 = 3
| parents                  = [[Constantine Tarpeius]]<br>[[Princess Zoe, Duchess of Haenna|Zoe, Duchess of Haenna]]
| alma_mater               = {{ubl|St. Michael's College|[[University of Castellum Iohannes XIII#Constituent colleges|College of Legal Studies, Castellum]] <small>({{wp|Master of Laws|LD}})</small>}}
}}
'''Duchess Maria Tarpeia''', <small>[[Emperor's Council of Latium|CI]] [[Judiciary of Latium#Emperor's Counsel|IA]] EE ECA EOV</small> (''Maria Tarpeia Anicia Iuliana Antonia''; b. 12 July 1966) is a prominent Latin noblewoman, politician, and former [[Consul of Latium]]. In addition, she served Leader of the [[Conservative Party (Latium)|Optimates]] from August 2010 until February 2016. She also held the distinction of being a member of the Emperor's Counsel (IA), which is often bestowed upon particularly eminent lawyers, and members of the legal profession. Tarpeia was a member of the extended imperial family though her mother, [[Princess Zoe, Duchess of Haenna]]. 

Tarpeia was the first women to serve as Latin Consul, holding office from 2014 to 2016. Her consulship marked the the first time in over a decade that the Optimates held control of the [[Senate of Latium|Senate]]. Her most notable and perhaps controversial legislative acts passed were the Morality Acts of 2014 and 2015; however, the laws were never enforced and eventually repealed in 2018. Tarpeia unexpectedly resigned the consulship in 2016 and retired from public life; however, since 2018 has began making more public appearances and has hinted at standing for the Senate and party leadership again.
==Early Life and education==
Maria Tarpeia was born at Velia House, in Velia, [[Castellum ab Alba]], the eldest child of [[Constantine Tarpeius|Duke Constantine Tarpeius]] and [[Princess Zoe, Duchess of Haenna]] on 12 July 1966. Tarpeia was the second oldest of five, including: [[Queen Fausta of Burgoy|Fausta]], [[Rhea Tarpeia|Rhea]], [[Alexandra Tarpeia|Alexandra]], and [[Silvia Tarpeia|Silvia]]. She is an extended member of the Imperial Family, as her mother is a Latin princess by birth. She was named after her maternal grandmother [[Princess Marie Christine of Épernon]].

Tarpeia did not attend formal schooling, and was instead educated by a series of private tutors and governesses. She took lessons from prominent professors and scholars throughout Latium and Belisaria. 

She enrolled at Turicum College, at the [[University of Haenna]] in 1983, and did not take a gap year. While at Turicum, she participated with the school's college Young Optimates, along with debate club and Catholic student organizations. Due to Turicum's proximity to Olympia, Tarpeia regularly visited the nearby [[Academia Militaris Olympia]], and often being seen on the campus with her cousin then [[Jason VI Augustus of Latium|Jason, Prince of Youth]]. Before completing her degree at Turicum, Tarpeia transferred to [[University of Castellum Iohannes XIII]] and entered the College of Legal Studies, where she completed her law degree, graduating in 1987.
==Legal Career==
In summer 1988, Tarpeia earned employment at the Attorney Grievance Commission and Discipline Board where she worked on case prosecuting Latin lawyers for ethical violations. She worked out of the national headquarters office in Castellum. 
==Political career==
===Beginnings===
Tarpeia announced her intentions to join the [[Senate of Latium|Senate]], and was placed on the [[Conservative Party (Latium)|Optimates]] party list ahead of the 1990 election. On election day, the Optimates received 40% of the vote. The 1991 general election saw the Conservatives gaining over 100 seats to earn a majority in the Senate. 

She was the chief sponsor of 38 bills, of which 13 became law during her first term in the Senate and was noted for her willingness to work with the National Unionist members in the coalition government. The bills dealt with education, child protection, prescription drug savings, veterans' assistance, road construction and high-tech identity theft. A member of the coalition said, <nowiki>"She was very passionate and was able to achieve more than most freshman backbenchers because of who she was and who her relatives were. It is no mystery why people were more willing to work with her opposed to other members."</nowiki>
===Perateian administration===
In 1996, Tarpeia was appointed to the [[Executive Council (Perateia)|Perateian Executive Council]] with the office of Imperial Delator. As Delator, she was charged with serving as the chief prosecutor and legal advisor to the diocese. This role marked her official entrance into the diocese government, as she was previously serving as a key advisor to her cousin [[Jason VI, Latin Emperor|Jason, Prince of Youth]], who was governing the territory as Count of the East. Her tenure as Delator lasted until 2001 and was marked by an increase in prosecutions and overall reduction in crime.
===Party leadership===
The resignation of party leader [[Antonius Farsuleius]] in 2010 left a vacancy for Conservative Party leadership. Tarpeia was among the first to announced her intention to run for leader and faced tough opposition from then acting leader Pompilius, and Gregorius Abus. Tarpeia won the first two ballots outright, and became leader. Tarpeia was noted for constant berating questions and harsh opposition of Consul Constantine Otacilius.
===2014 election victory===
{{main|Latin general election, 2014}}
In 2014, a budget crisis resulted in [[Jason VI Augustus of Latium|Emperor Jason VI Augustus]] calling for a new election. The election cycle lasted from 12 December to 9 March, and Tarpeia focused on addressing what she considered <nowiki>"gross and outrageous spending"</nowiki> by the Progressives and Consul Otacilius. Polling after the speech saw Conservative numbers dip, until Tarpeia promised to not dismantle the SMH in the election cycle's only debate. In her first election as leader, the Optimates also saw massive gains in popular vote and earned an additional 74 seats, which boosted the party to an absolute majority at 341 seats.

She was subsequently appointed Consul and became Latium's first female consul.
===Policies===
Tarpeia's first act after forming her government was the creation of the Secretary of State for Morality and National Unity, appointing Conservative Senator Thomas Coponius as head of the new ministry. In 2014, Tarpeia and the Conservative government continued to work at their campaign promise of tighter spending, though most of the government's efforts were focused on the enactment of the various acts of the senate that would constitute the Morality Acts. The Morality Acts were passed in stages, with the first being the Protection of Life Act, which further restricted abortion rights. However, this act failed to gain imperial assent. The next act of the Morality Acts is colloquially named the Morality Act. The Morality Act saw the enactment of sodomy laws, and a number of other restrictions on the LGBT community. While not without controversy, Tarpeia enjoyed high popularity for her efforts to reduce spending and 90% approval among her own Conservative base.

Most importantly, Tarpeia continued to support the welfare state in an effort to curb potential socialist incursions, following her predecessors with a policy of [[Wikipedia:State socialism (Germany)|imperial socialism]]. This policy saw an increase in healthcare spending
===Resignation===
Tarpeia unexpectedly resigned as [[Consul of Latium|Consul]] on 18 February 2016. Tarpeia subsequently retried from public life and returned to her country estate in Ulpiana, northern Latium.
==Personal Life==
Tarpeia has been multilingual since early childhood speaking Latin, {{wp|Pontic Greek language|Mysian}} and {{wp|French language|Audonic}} fluently. Speaking of her family in an interview in 2010 during her leadership campaign Tarpeia said that her diverse background had greatly affected her politics and influenced her social policies. She said that her father had been particularly influential over her social policies, describing her father as <nowiki>"disturbed by the destruction of the traditions."</nowiki> She describes herself as very religious, owing that to the influence of her father.
===Marriage===
Tarpeia was married to [[Christopher Ulpius|Duke Christopher Ulpius]], whom she married in June 1990. Christopher was the eldest son of John Ulpius.  They were married in June 1990 at the Pantheon in [[Castellum ab Alba]]. They had three children.
===Heir to the Dukedom of Haenna===
{{main|Duke of Haenna}}
As the second eldest child of [[Princess Zoe, Duchess of Haenna]], Tarpeia was not originally in line to inherit her mother's dukedom until her sister, [[Queen Fausta of Burgoy|Fausta]] married then [[Charles VII of Burgoy|Charles, Crown Prince of Burgoy]] on 22 August 1985. After her sister's marriage to Charles, Fausta disclaimed her rights as heir, resulting in Tarpeia becoming heir to the Dukedom of Haenna. 
==Styles, Titles and Arms==
Upon her marriage in 1987, she assumed her husband's courtesy title and the rank of Marchis. In 1988 she became Duchess after the passing of her father-in-law. She was referred to as Duchess Ulpia. She opted to disclaim herself of any of her mother's titles following his death, allowing them to pass to her only son, [[Adrian Ulpius|Adrian]]. Prior to her disclaimer, Tarpeia was heir to her mother's titles as Duchess of Haenna.
===Styles===
*'''12 December 1965 – 22 August 1990:''' ''Lady'' Maria Tarepia
*'''9 August 1990 – present:''' ''The Magnificent'' Maria Tarpeia
===Honors===
*{{flag|Latium}}: Knight of the Order of the Ram [[File:Red ribbon bar - general use.svg|50px]]
*{{flag|Latium}}: Dame of the Illustrious Order of the Purple Ribbon [[File:U.S. Navy Good Conduct Medal ribbon.svg|50px]] 
*{{flag|Latium}}: Dame of the Ancient Equestrian Order [[File:St.AlexanderOrder-ribbon.svg|50px]]
===Foreign honors===
* {{flag|Lyncanestria}}: [[Order of Saint Robert|Dame of the Order of Saint Robert]] <imgur w="50">wzk2ZxW.png</imgur> <small>27 December 2015</small>
* {{flag|Sydalon}}: Dame of the Order of the Holy Lance [[File:Cavaliere SSML BAR.svg|50px]] <small>30 September 2015</small>
==Issue== 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Name
! Birth
! Death
! Spouse(s)
|-
|colspan=4|'''''By [[Christopher Ulpius|Duke Christopher Ulpius]] (b. 1962)'''''
|-
| [[Adrian Ulpius]]
| {{birth date and age|1992|7|30|df=y}}
|
| Married [[Rosa of Garza]]
|-
| [[Diana Ulpia]]
| {{birth date and age|1993|9|12|df=y}}
|
|Married ; had issue.
|-
| [[Helena Ulpia]]
| {{birth date and age|1996|1|4|df=y}}
|
|
|-
|}
==Ancestry==
{{ahnentafel
|collapsible=yes
|collapsed=yes
|align=center
|ref=
|boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc;
|boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9;
|boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc;
|boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc;
|boxstyle_5=background-color: #9fe;
|1= 1. '''Maria Tarpeia'''
|2= 2. [[Constantine Tarpeius|Duke Constantine Tarpeius]]
|3= 3. [[Princess Zoe, Duchess of Haenna]]
|4= 4. Duke Michael Tarpeius
|5= 5. Pericleia Vitruvia
|6= 6. [[Constantine XIX of Latium]]
|7= 7. [[Princess Marie Christine of Épernon]]
|8= 8. Theodosius Tarpeius
|9= 9. Maria Poppaea
|10= 10. Duke George Vitruvius
|11= 11. Christina Mocilla
|12= 12. [[John Anicius, Duke of Beroea]]
|13= 13. [[Joanna I, Latin Empress]]
|14= 14. [[Prince Henri, Duke of Épernon]]
|15= 15. Adalinda of Nyrundy
|16= 16. Constantine Tarpeius
|17= 17. Valeria Sulpicia
|18= 18. Constantine Poppaeus
|19= 19. Alaina Rouanti
|20= 20. Maurus Vitruvius
|21= 21. Maria Lentula
|22= 22. Urbicus Mocillus
|23= 23. Agnes Poppaea
|24= 24. Michael Anicius, Duke of Beroea
|25= 25. Sygria Julia
|26= 26. [[John XIII of Latium]]
|27= 27. [[Alexandra of Ghant|Princess Alexandra of Ghant]]
|28= 28. [[Victor of Ghant|Prince Victor of Ghant]]
|29= 29. [[Catherine I of Lyncanestria]]
|30= 30. George VI, Elector of Nyrundy
|31= 31. Ludmilla of Tungria
}}

==See also==
*[[List of Latin Consuls]]
{{S-start}}
{{S-hou|[[Tarpeii family]]|12 July|1966| | |  |}}
|-
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before = {{nowrap|Constantine Goulas}}}}
{{s-ttl|title = [[Executive Council (Perateia)|Imperial Delator for Perateia]]|years = 1996–2001}}
{{s-aft|after = [[Andronicus Syrgiannes]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before = Antonius Farsuleius}}
{{s-ttl|title = [[Minority leaders of the Latin Senate|Senate Minority Leader]]|years = 2010–2014}}
{{s-aft|after = Theodosius Fulvius}}
|-
{{s-bef|before = [[Constantine Otacilius]]}}
{{s-ttl|title = [[Consul of Latium]]|years = 2014–2016}}
{{s-aft| after=[[Alexander Pompilius]]}}
|-
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before = Antonius Farsuleius}}
{{s-ttl|title = [[Conservative Party (Latium)|Leader of the Optimates]]|years = 2010–2016}}
{{s-aft|after= [[Alexander Pompilius]]}}
{{s-end}}

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