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==Structure and organization==
==Structure and organization==
The Imperial Court of Mesogeia is divided into two seperate establishments for the north and the south, known as the Imperial Courts of the North and the South. Since at least the 11th century there was a Grammateus ton  oikeiakon for the administering of the southern court on the behalf of the Megas Prokoitos. It was not until the 16th that the establisments of both regional imperial courts were centralized under a sole [[Ministry of the Imperial Court of Mesogeia|Imperial Court Ministy]], although they continued to have nearly identical departments in some cases, with slight variations for several centuries further.
The Imperial Court of Mesogeia is divided into two seperate establishments for the north and the south, known as the Imperial Courts of the North and the South. Since at least the 11th century there was a Grammateus ton  oikeiakon for the administering of the southern court on the behalf of the Megas Prokoitos. It was not until the 16th that the establisments of both regional imperial courts were centralized under a sole [[Ministry of the Imperial Court of Mesogeia|Imperial Court Ministy]], although they continued to have nearly identical departments in some cases, with slight variations for several centuries further.
 
==Great Offices of the court==




==Imperial Court of the North==
==Imperial Court of the North==
The '''Imperial Court of the North''', functioning as the northern branch of the imperial establishment and being based out of the ancient city of Chrysopolis (which is an amalgamation of the cities of Mithradat, Alcaeia, and Ctesiphon). This court is administered by the '''Darigansalar''' as  Grand Master of the Imperial court of the north.
===The Birûn===
 
===The Andarûn===
 
===The Inner Court (Andarûn)===
The Inner Court is composed of the imperial enclosure/chamber (ḵalwat-e ḵāṣṣa) department,
 
====ḵalwat-e ḵāṣṣa")====
The '''ḵalwat-e ḵāṣṣa''', ('''Imperial enclosure'''), refers to the private inner service of the imperial court of the north. It is headed by '''Wazīr-e ḥożūr-e homāyūn''' (Minister of imperial attendance), who oversees all the court functionaries bearing the distinction of attendants in waiting (ʿamala-ye ḥożūr) to the northern imperial court.
 
The subordinates of the  Minister of Attendance include:
* '''Nāẓem-e ḵalwat''' (Superintendant of the Enclosure),
* '''Pīš-ḵedmat-bāšī''' (Chief Headwaiter), responsible for overseeing the orderly conduct and cleanliness of the '''Pīš-ḵedmat-e ḥożūr''' (''Gentleman in waiting' and the '''Farrāš-e ḵalwat''' ('' valets de chambre'').
* '''Gholām-bačča-bāšī''', responsible for supervising the page boys attached to the Court of the north
 
====Amala-ye ḵedmat====
The '''Amala-ye ḵedmat''', is responsible for providing for all the domestic needs of the sovereign and court when they ar in residence in one of the northern imperial court palaces.
 
Its staff includes:
*  '''ḵvānsālār''' (the chief caterer), responsible for overseeing the culinary division and  food provisioning and table service
** '''Ašpaz-­bāšī''', the imperial cook, responsible for the bakery and the buttery
** '''Abdār-bāšī''', the chief butler is responsible for the imperial pantry, and coffeehouse
 
===The Outer Court (Birûn)===
The '''Outer court''' is composed of the courtiers known collectively as the amala-ye rekāb, "agents of the stirrup" which is composed of the imperial riding attendants, aids-de camps, and stewards with duties outside of the Kalwat.
 
Its staff includes:
* '''Saraydār-bāšī''' (chief housekeeper), although the name can be deceiving it is solely responsible for security within the imperial establishment, overseeing the housekeepers and gatekeepers servant corps units.
**  '''Sarāydārān''' (housekeepers), servants responsible for maintaing the public reception rooms of the imperial palaces in the north
** '''qāpūčīān''' (gatekeepers), servants responsible for opening and closing doors within the imperial palaces.
 
==Imperial Court of the South==
==Imperial Court of the South==
The '''Imperial Court of the South''', functions as the southern branch, (and at times the main arm) of the imperial establishment being based out of the national capital at Alexandropolis. This court is administered by the '''Megas Prokoitos''' as Grand Master of the Imperial Court of the south.
===The Basilikon Triklinion===
 
===The Basilikon Thálamos===
The Imperial court of the south is composed of of the Triklinion Basilikon (Imperial Outer Chambers), the Tamieion Basilikon (Imperial Inner Chamber), the Hyperesia (imperial service department).
 
 
===Triklinion Basilikon===
The '''Triklinion Basilikon''' (known as the '''Imperial Outer Chamber''') refers to the court department responsible for the public face of the court. It is headed by the '''Archedeatros''' (the ''Chief Seneschal'') who alongside his duties as deputy to the Megas Prokoitos is responsible for serving the monarch at the imperial table, granting admission to the court, and assisting the Grand Masters of the Imperial Court during the reception of ambassadors.
 
===Tamieion Basilikon===
The '''Tamieion Basilikon''' (known as the '''Imperial Inner Chamber'''), refers to the department responsible for overseeing the sovereign's imperial apartments, and his personal retinue attached to the inner chamber. The inner chamber is co-chaired by the '''Parakoimomenos tou Koitonos''' (''High Chamberlain of the Bedchamber'') and the '''Parakoimomenos tes sphendones''' (''High Chamberlain of the Imperial Privy Seal'').
 
While the Parakoimomenos of the Sphendone is limited to duties related to personally overseeing the Sphendone, the ring with which the sovereign uses to personally seal all personal correspondence. Its counterpart the Parakoimomenos of the Koiton is charged with actual supervision of the Imperial bedchamber being assisted by the '''Prokathemenos tou koitonos''' (''Gentlemen of the Bedchamber''), through which he oversees the corps of Koitonarioi (inner chamber chamberlains), and  basilikoi paidopouloi (imperial pages).
 
 
===Hyperesia Department===
The '''Hyperesia department''' (known as the '''Imperial Service department'''), refers to the domestic entourage and staff of the imperial court establishment. The imperial service department is overseen by the '''Megas Papias''' (''Grand Concierge''), who is responsible for palace security and maintenance being charged with keeping the palace keys.
 
The Megas Papias has under his supervision:the General Maintainence department, the Provisioning Department, and the Imperial Furniture depository.
 
'''General Maintenance Department''' is overseen by the Deutros, the deputy of Megas Papias, who is simultaneously responsible for the safekeeping and monitoring of the furniture stored at the imperial furniture depository.
* Hebdomadarioi:  subordinate chamberlains working in weekly shift rotations, responsible for the buildings of the Ireakioski Imperial Palace and of the general upkeep of its halls and reception rooms which includeds: the Hall of Stepsimon, the Hall of the Council of Hetairoi,
** The Ostiarikon, department overseeing the palace doorkeepers.
** The Stratorikion, department overseeing the palace grooms
** Loustai: resonsible for the imperial bathhouse
** Kandelaptai: responsible for lighting the imperial palace
** Kaldarioi: responsible for heating the rooms of the imperial palaces
** Horologoi: responsible for attending to the palace cocks.
 
'''Provisioning Department'''
* Edeatros tes basilikoi trapezes: Chief Connoisseur, responsible for provisioning the imperial table, overseeing the banquet, and tasting the dishes.
** Archiartoklines: Chief Breadmaster, responsible for overseeing the Imperial Pantry, and the palace bakery
** Archichasapis: chief butcher, responsible for cutting the emperor's meat at state receptions, overseeeing the butchery
** Archikylikiphoros (Chief Cupbearer; bearer of the kylix
** Archioinochoos (Chief Wine-pourer)
*** Paroinochoi (Assistant Wine-pourer)
 
==Therapeia Department==
'''The Therapeia''' (known as the '''Imperial Retinue department''') refers to the courtier retinue entourage attached to the sovereign, with responsiblity over both the northern and the southern imperial courts.  The Imperial retinue is administered by the '''Megas Tzaousios''', whose duties are largely confined to maintaining law and order in the imperial court, overseeing the imperial retinue, and handling legal matters partaining to the imperial family.
 
The Megas Tzaousios is assisted in his duties by the '''Protokynegos''' (''First Huntsmen''), the '''Protostratotius''' (''Imperial Chief of Staff''), '''Protostrator''' (''Imperial Stable Master''), and the '''Archiatros''' (''Imperial Chief Physician'').
 
The Terapeia department is divided into the Imperial Stables & Transport Department, the Department of Camp Services, the Imperial Hunting Bureau, the Maintanence & Construction Department, the Imperial Military Retinue, and the Imperial Ecclesiastical Retinue.
 
 
===Imperial Stables & Transport Department===
The '''Imperial Stables & Transport Department''' is responsible for the ceremonial and everyday transport of the imperial family of Mesogeia. The department is charged with overseeing the sovereign's travels within the country, ensuring the safe arrival of the monarch, the imperial family, and their housholds; in addition to this the department is charged with managing the stables, carriage houses, the breeding farms, and the Imperial Riding Schools attached to the Imperial Court.
 
The office of the Imperial Stables is open to the public for much of the year, having in its possession 60 horse-drawn carriages, coaches, palanquins, covered-litters; together with 20 motorized vehicles. Being one of the most expensive departments of the Imperial Court it is said to possess 30 horses. In its heyday, the imperial stables contained horses, mules, camels, elephants, amounting to 10,000 to 30,000 pack-animals in the early 17th century.
 
The carriages housed in the Imperial Stables include the Imperial State Coach, the Diamond State Coach, The Despot's State Coach, 1904 State Landau, and the Imperial Hearse.
 
Also attached to the transport department are imperial outriders, dressed in ornate red, white, and gold uniforms with their elaborate headgear and noted for running behind the imperial cavalcade.
 
===Department of Camp Services===
The '''Department of Camp Services''' is headed by the '''Megas Stratopedarches''' ("Grand Master of the Camp") who oversees camp services, in adition to the ''Farrāš-ḵāna'' and the ''Nasaq-ḵāna'', through his subordinates. All three offices are an extraordinary testament to the fearsome punitive power of the Mesogeian sovereign.
 
The Megas Stratopedarches is responsible for the officers, aides-de-camp, and the stewards of the imperial camp often collectively called the riding companions. Historically there were two groups of riding companions, those from the southern nobility and those from the northern nobility.
 
The '''Farrāš-ḵāna''' is a department with mostly ceremonial functions in connection with the imperial footmen or tent pitchers as they were historically known in Mesogeia, and headed by the ''Farrāš-Bāšī'' ("Chief of the Carpet Spreaders"). Historically their duties were far more fearsome being responsible for delivering imperial messages and carrying out imperial punitive commands ranging from arrests, beatings, extortions, and more serious acts.
 
The '''Nasaq-ḵāna''', is a department with largely ceremonial functions in the present-day it was once responsible for carrying out the most severe and dreaded punitive measures on behalf of the sovereign. Its head is the '''Nasaqčī-Bāšī'''
("Chief Discipliner"), who oversees the nasaqčīs; executioners or agents of torment). While historically this department was responsible for the most extreme punishments of the state, including torture, blinding, mutilation, and state executions; the department is presently limited to the issuing of imperial warants and arrests on behalf of the sovereign and the state.
 
===The Imperial Hunting Bureau===
The '''Imperial Hunting Bureau''' is headed by the Protokynegos (Grand Huntsman), who is assisted by Protoierakarios (Chief Falconer) both of which must be drawn from the the upper aristocracy. The Hunting office is responsible for organising imperial hunts, the sale of hunting rights, and the management of the imperial hunting reserves at the Blachernai Palaces, Makellon Palace, Bryas Palace, Philopation Palace and Pege Palace.
 
 
===Maintenance & Construction Department===
The '''Maintenance & Construction Department''' is responsible for the exterior maintenance and upkeep of the imperial palaces, attached gardens and parks, and qanāts. Its sub-sections include the Imperial Gardens and Parks Agency, the Imperial Managerie and Zoological Park Administration, and the Bureau of Imperial Building Management.
 
Functioning as a subsection of the Maintenance and Construction Department, the '''Imperial Gardens and Parks Agency''' is responsible for the management and oversight over the Imperial parks and gardens within the capital, which includes the Imperial Palace Gardens in the Alexandropolis Palace, the Acropolis Park, the Nymphaeum Park, the Blachernai Gardens, Kynegion Park, Mangana Park, the Chalke Gardens; as well as the Pege Park, a public amusement park located on the outskirts of Alexandropolis.
 
The cut flowers and bulbs from the Imperal gardens serve as a source of income to the Imperial Court.
 
The '''Imperial Managerie and Zoological Park Administration''' is responsible for overseeing the Imperial Blachernai Managerie, Alexandropolis Zoo, and the Parisia Zoo; its staff includes zookeepers and veterinarians.
 
The '''Bureau of Imperial Buildings Management''' deals with the actual managment and upkeep of the individual imperial palaces, such as Imperial Palace of Alexandropolis, Chrysopolis Palaces, the Parisia Acropolis, Fasargadai Palace, Chousa Palace, Magnaura Palace, Tower of Sykai, Blachernai Castle, Chrysokeras Palace, Hieria Palace, Hebdomon Palace, Philopation Palace, Bryas Palace, Makellon Palace, Mangana Palace, and Porphyrogenitus Palace; as well as the Imperial Court Theatre, the Imperial Opera House, and the Imperial Theatre Storage Depot.
 
 
===Imperial Military Retinue===
The '''Imperia military Retinue''', headed by the '''Protostratotius''', operates as the military arm of the Imperial courts, functiong with combined southern and northern branchs, under the general direction of PLACEHOLDER, as the senior head overseeing the guards regiments responsible for protecting the sovereign and for providing security for members of the imperial family and guarding the imperial palaces.
 
The subordinates include:
* Hazarbed-Aqasi (commander of the Imperial Athanatoi Guard)
* Chilliarch (commander of th Basilikon Agema Guard)
* Qorchi-Bashi (commander of the Imperial Qezelbāš Cavalry Guard)
* Qullar-Aqasi) (commander of the Imperial Ghulam Guard)
* Tupchi-Bashi (commander of the Artillery Guard)
* Tufangchi-Aqasi (commander of the Imperial Musketeers)
 
===Imperial Ecclesiastical Retinue===
The '''Ecclesiastical Retinue''' functions as the religious arm of the Imperial Court, having oversight over various cathedrals, chapels, and monasteries with imperial patronage and all religious ceremonies in the imperial court, such as mass, imperial marriages, baptisms, and funerals. The office is responsible for the distributions of alms and donations to various charities and religious organizations.
 
The office is headed by the Synkellos in his role as Imperial Chaplain, with directors overseeing the Apostolic Church establishment, the Olympianism establishment, and the Aletheic church establishment in Mesogeia.
 
Its staff includes hundreds of Priests, nuns preachers, and chaplains. The various cathedrals, temples, churches, chapels and monasteries under the patronage of the Imperial Court include: the Pantheon Cathedral, Cathedra of [[Hagia Triada]], Cathedral of [[Hagia Aima]], Palace Chapel of the Theotokos, Hormisdas Church and Monastery, the Panagia Hodegetria Monastery, Pammakaristos Church, Zoödochos-Pege Monastery, the Myrelaion Monastery, and the Stoudion Monastery.
 
==The Gynaikeion ("andarūn-e ḵāṣṣa")==
The '''Office of the Gynaikeion''' ('''women's apartments''') refers to the seperate establishment within the imperial court which defines the hierarchy of the women of the court, including the empress, imperial consorts, imperial princesses and their respective entourages and staff. The Gynaikeion is diveded into a southern and north branch although it is run from Alexandropolis.
 
The official head of the Gynaikeion based on her seniority is her Imperial Highness, Dowager Imperial Consort Theophano who serves as acting Padishah Begum, first lady of the Imperial Court, the highest ranking women at court, second to the Empress regnant only; although she has not been granted this title
 
Imperial Consort Theopano being the step mother of the reiging Empress Elena II ranks directly below the Empress regnant being the only surviving consort to the late Emperor Constantine XXII. The Grand Mistress of the Gynaikeion is the Zoste Patricia who oversees all female courtiers being responsible for the daily routine of the women of the court, all financial accounts related to the Gynaikeion and the organization of the staff.
 
The '''Megali Kyria''' is assisted by the Kouropalatissa, and the Protovestiaria. The '''Kouropalatissa''' responsibilites include the travels of the court ladies, and the furnishing of their apartments. The '''Protovestiaria''' is responsible for the clothing and jewelry of the court ladies, and the supervision of the empress' dressing ceremony.
 
Another position, that of '''Kyria Pedagogia''' is a position of much importance because it denotes the official Governess of the imperial children, a role denoting the woman responsible for the rearing and raising of the imperial children.
 
Mid-ranking female courtiers called '''Koubikoularia''' serve as ladies in waiting in the Gynaikeion, they are divided into the '''Koubikoularia tōn Gynaikōn''' (Ladies of the Chamber) and '''Koubikoularia tōn oikeiakon''' (Women of the Court). The majority of female courtiers are part of the lowest ranking class of female staff, the '''Vestiaria''' who are responsible for a host of functions, primarily acting as maids of honour.
 
It should be noted that historically women selected to be in the Gynaikeion as possible concubines typically start out as a Cariye or an Odalik, Courtesans and Chamber attendants, women whose primary fuction is to wait on the empress and imperial princesses.
 
==Office of the Ektomiai==
The Office of the Ektomiai is unique to the Imperial Court of Mesogeia for the simple fact that it refers to the third seperate hierarchy at court reserved exclusively for eunuchs. The department administers and oversees the activities of the thousands of eunuchs employed throughout the imperial palaces of Mesogeia. The Office of the Ektomiai is headed by the PLACEHOLDER, who acts as Chief Eunuch, overseeing the activities of the corps of eunuchs at court.
 
From a high of 70,000 to 100,000 eunuchs in the medieval ages, the Imperial Court now employs only about 2,500 registered eunuchs spread across the five main imperial residences at Alexandropolis, Parisia, Chrysopolis, Farsagadai, and Chousa. The court titles reserved for eunuchs are nearly identical to the court titles reserved for men with minor differences, with the highest rank being, Protoi Philoi (Friend of the first rank); while the lowest rank is that Nipsistiarios.
 
==Department of Ceremonies==
The Department of ceremonies is responsible for the organisation of public and private receptions, diversions, and the maintaining of protocol throughout the imperial courts.
 
===The Office of Public Diversions===
The Office of Public Diversions, with its presiding officer the PLACEHOLDER, is responsonsible for the organisation of state ceremonies, such as Baptisms, marriages, state funerals, royal entries, coronations, imperial festivals, ambasadorial receptions, state balls, and the state opening of [[Parliament of Mesogeia|parliament]]. The office is headed by the Grand PLACEHOLDER who is assisted in his duties by low ranking courtiers called the silentiarii, who originally charged with the maintenace of silence and order within the Imperial Palaces.
 
===Amusements & Diversions Department===
The '''Amusements & Diversions Department''' is responsible for the management of the court entertainments and leisurely pursuits. The department is overseen by PLACEHOLDER.
 
A sub-section of the department is the ''bureau of imperial theatres'', which is responsible for the organizing of ballets, operas, and theatrical performances at the six imperial theatres, two imperial opera houses and various opera, ballet, drama companies, and theatrical schools with imperial patronage.
 
===The Bureau of Protocol===
The '''Bureau of Protocol''' is overseen by the Chief of Protocl who is responsible for overseeing both public and private audiences.
 
==The Bureau of Imperial Treasures and Patronages==
The '''Bureau of Imperial Treasures and Patronages''' is a unique department of the Imperial Court which refers to the tangible treasures attached to the imperial establishment both material, artistic, and of monetary value; in addition to the imperial patronages
 
This bureau is composed of the '''Imperial Historic Treasures Collection''' and the '''Imperial Patronages Agency'''. The Imperial Historic Treasures Collection is responsible for overseeing the management of the Imperial Collections and treasures, which is spread out among various palaces, museums and art galleries throughout the nation.
 
The primary components of the Imperial Historic Treasures Collection consist of the Imperial Court Library (with northern and southern branches), which functions as the National Library of Mesogeia; the Imperial Art Gallery, housing a large collection of the Imperial Family's extensive art collections on display which includes photographs, paintings, mosaics, icons and etc; the Imperial Museum, the national museum of the empire housing Mesogeian specific art in addition to historically significant works; and the Imperial Atelier who is responsible for designing furniture speceifically for imperial use.
 
The '''Imperial Historic Treasures Collection''' is overseen by an eight-member board consisting of:
* Custodian of the imperial furniture, refers specifically to furniture on display at various museums and public rooms in the palace. The head of the Imperial Furniture Depository.
* Custodian of the Atrium: responsible for the displays in the atriums of every imperial palace. Director of the Imperial Museum.
* Custodian of the Paintings: responsible for all paintings in the imperial collection. Co-chair of the Imperial Art Gallery
* Custodian of the Picture galleries: oversight over imperial photography department; co-chair of the Imperial Art Gallery
* Custodian of the Ancestral Masks: responsible for matters pertaining to funerary art and the ritual death masks. Its head has oversight over the imperial crypt underneath the Cathedral of Hagia Aima
* Custodian of the Statues: responsible for all imperial statuary, sculptures, busts and statues in the possession of the imperial court.
* Custodian of the Valuables: responsible for the ceremonial plate, that is the gold, silver, and porcelain dinning services used for state functions
* Custodian of the imperial jewels: responsible for the crown jewels, that is jewels passed on to the next generation, and officially at the disposal of the Emperor or the Empress consort.
 
The Imperial Patronages Agency is the governing body tasked with the management and general oversight of the eight Imperial Academies in addition to various imperial societies, organisations, and agencies founded by imperial decree or with official patronage by a member of the imperial family with the intent to promote Mesogeian cultural heritage.
 
The Academies consists of:
* Imperial Mesogeian Academy
* Imperial Academy of Fine Arts
* Imperial Academy of the Humanties
* Imperial Academy of Music
* Imperial Academy of Sciences
* Imperial Academy of Agriculture
* Imperial Academy of War Sciences
* Imperial Academy of Naval Sciences
 
==The Imperial Accounting & Finance Department==
The '''Imperial Accounting & Finance Department''', with aproximately
250 full-time staff members this department is responsible for all the financial matters partaining to the imperial court with its head director being responsible for various sub-departments, such as the Imperial Privy Purse, Imperial Chest, and the Imperial Public Wardrobe.
 
The department is responsible for managing the court's finances and the assets tied to the Imperial court and at the disposal of the Emperor by virtue of his position; issuing payments to the court's employees; and has financial oversight over all state functions and receptions.
 
Historically the Imperial Privy Purse, the Imperial Chest, and the Imperial Wardrobe functioned as a distinct sub-sections of the country's imperial treasuries:
* The Imperial Privy Purse: Responsible for the Sovereign's personal assets;
* The Imperial Chest: responsible for the public assets of the Imperial court, that is assets derived from the court or the Imperial Crownlands.
* The Imperial Wardrobe: which despite the name was initially responsible for the imperial mints, the imperial arsenals, and the provisioning of the military. Presently it oversees the Imperial Trust of the Imperial Family.
 
There was a time that the Imperial Wardrobe functioned as the state treasury until the state's finances were split off into other fiscal departments, leaving the Imperial Wardrobe, the Imperial Privy Purse, and the Imperial Chest with financial matters retaining to the Imperial court and the Imperial family.
 
==The Inner Chancellery==
The  '''Inner Chancellery''' is responsible for administering the private chancellery of the emperor of Mesogeia; and is composed of the Imperial Translation Department; Imperial Secretariat, Imperial Stationery & Calligraphy Department, and the Bureau of the Imperial Archive.
 
 
==Office of the Imperial Crown Lands==
The Office of the Imperial Crown Lands is unique in that while being a part of the Imperial Court in theory certain sections of this department are classified as personal assets of the emperor and the Imperial Family. The office is overseen by the Steward of the Imperial Crown Lands, with the department being further subdivided into two main sections:
* Aulic Property, that is property and assets that the Emperor and Imperial family are entitled to use due to their position;
* Private Property, It refers to private assets owned by the monarch and the imperial family seperate from their public role; although the term private is used loosly.
 
The Office of the Imperial Crown Lands is responsible for the assets derived from various institutions attached to the Imperial Court and to the crown such as the Aulic Property Office, Imperial Pharmacy, Imperial Gardens, Imperial Hunting Office, rented properties in the cities, and agricultural estates in the country. Assets derived from the Aulic Property Office are paid to the state each year in return for the annual civil list.
 
The estates belonging to the Aulic Property Office include, [[Great Sacred Palace|Imperial Palace of Alexandropolis]], [[Palace of Chrysopolis]], [[Acropolis of Troiana]], Farsargadae Palace, Chouza Palace, [[Palace of Magnaura]],  [[Tower of Sykai]], [[Blachernai Castle]], [[Chrysokeras Palace]], [[Hieria Palace]], [[Hebdomon Palace]], [[Philopation Palace]], [[Bryas Palace]]  [[Makellon Palace]], [[Mangana Palace]], and [[Porphyrogenitus Palace]].
 
Seperate from the Aulic Property and the state properties attached to the crown are the assets derived from the Emperor's personal fortune and the Imperial Family Trust, an asset management foundation established to strictly control and administer the Imperial Family's private assets. The personal assets of the Imperial Family include:
 
* Grand Principality of Dardanellia, 157,000 acres of agricultural, commercial and residential land, valued at $682 million.
* Despotate of Morea, 117,000 acres of land throughout the empire, used for agriculture, residential, and commercial properties. Valued at $1.5 billion
* Emperor's personal estate Bosphoros Palace contains some 15,000 acres of farmland, and commmercial property.
* Emperor's private estate,  Villa Prinkips with 3,500 acres of agricultural, commercial, and residential property.
* Troadinos Castle, ancestral seat of the Imperial family, with about 5,622 acres of farmland
* Investment portfolio valued at $2 billion
* Personal collection of artwork, paintings, sculptures, furniture, and jewellry.
 
It should be noted that certain estates held by members of the imperial family fall somewhere between the private and state properties, these are called tied estates, because they are permanently tied to the specific title and cannot be sold and revert to the Imperial Crown Lands when the holder dies without a male heir; they are however administered privately by the holder as imperial appanages separate from the Imperial Crown Lands, when in use.
 
These tied estates include:
* Duke of Chalcedon Estate, including, Chalcedon Palace, Lauseion House, Kyklobion Palace, Elaion Akra Castle, and well over 150,000 acres of agricutural, commercial and residential real estate. It should be noted that the Duke of Chalcedon married the fabulously wealthy Penelope Opsikion-Troadinos, heiress to the Prince of Opsikion, the last male of the House of Opsikion, a branch of the imperial house whose wealth has long since rivaled if not dwarfed that of the immediate Imperial family.
* Duke of Lacedaemon Estate, including Meloudion Palace, Aretai Palace, and additional properties
* Duke of Ellis Estate, including the St. Euphemia Palace, and additional properties.
 
 
 
 
==Imperial Court schedule==
The Empress typically resides at Chrysopolis during the spring months in order to celebrate  the traditional festivities of Nowruz (Mesogeian new year); although the imperial family return to Alexandropolis periodically during this time in order to attend the Easter and city founding festivities in the capital. The time spent in Chrysopolis culminates in one court ball, the Nowruz ball which although not apart of the official ball season is nonetheless notable for being the largest such event hosted each year by the imperial court, having over 5,000 to 3,000 attendees in the gardens of the Ali Zarinqapu Palace.
 
The court does not officially retire to one of the summer palaces until mid june, during these summer months the empress and the imperial family alternate between various summer palaces outside Alexandropolis and in the country's hinterland. Torch light receptions are given at various summer residences or at the imperial palace at Ceragan Palace, usually two or three in number, with 600 attendees; these summer galas being far less
 
The sovereign takes up residence in the imperial palace in Alexandropolis in the early Autumn months just in time for the celebration of the Mehregan festival in October, which is followed closely by the Empress' official birthday celebrations on October 16, and the social season where the empress hosts four court balls (with each one becoming more exclusive as the year draws to a close): the Grand State ball at the Boukoleon palace or at the Mangana Palace for 2,500 guests, the Gulkhana Ball for 1,500 guests, the Mouchroutas Ball for 700 guests, and finally the all exclusive Daphne banquet reception and ball for 300-100 guests in the inner imperial apartments (the Koiton).
 
The Empress remains near the capital until just after the state opening of Synedrion, the Silention ceremony before retiring from the capital.
 


==The Women's Apartments==
The '''Women's apartments''' refers to the seperate establishment within the imperial court which defines the hierarchy of the women of the court, including the empress, imperial consorts, imperial princesses and their respective entourages and staff. The Gynaikeion is diveded into a southern and north branch although it is run from Alexandropolis.


There are two groups of women, within the imperial court of Mesogeia: the first group being '''Women of the Harem''' and '''Ladies of the Court'''. Women of the Harem or Women of the Court (as they were sometimes called) refers to the empress, imperial consorts, imperial princesses, concubines and all other female relatives of the Mesogeian sovereign.


In contrast the Ladies of the Court refers to the ladies in waiting and female attending staff attached to the entourages of the women of the court.


'''Women of the Court ranks:'''
#'''Empress Dowager''': The senior rank of the entire female establishment is that of the woman bearing the status of empress mother by virtue of being the widow or biological/adoptive mother of a reiging or past reigning monarch. The Empress Dowager officially uses the titles '''Mahd-e Olyā''' ("Sublime Cradle" or "Highest Ranked Lady"), '''Basilometor''' ("Empress Mother''), and '''Basilissa''' ("Empress").
#'''Empress Consort''': The second-highest rank in the women's court is reserved for the chief consort or empress of a reigning sovereign. The Empress consort officially uses the titles of '''Padishah Begum''' ("First Lady"), and '''Basilissa''' interchangabaly.
#'''Imperial Consorts''': The secondary wives of an emperor were entitled to be styled as '''Shahbanu''' ("Lady of the Emperor"). Historically speaking the Mesogeian church allowed for the Emperor to have 1 empress, 4 consorts, and numerous concubines.
#'''Despotissa of Morea''': is the official title reserved for the wife of the Despot of the Morea (the heir apparant). It is equivalent to the position of Crown Princess, and is generally believed to supersede that of Grand Princess.
#'''Kyria Despoina''': (literally "Lady Mistress") is a title specifically created for the eldest daughter of the reigning monarch. The position is held for life when available.
#'''Sebastokratoria''': Is a title reserved for the wife of the Emperor's brother.
#'''Grand Princesss''': A title reserved for the daughters, male-line grand-daughters of reigning monarchs. Officially called  '''Megas Basilopoula''' ("Great Princess") or  '''Shahdokht''' ("Imperial Princess"). All princes and princesses of imperial blood in the male line are entitled to be styled as '''Shahzada'''
# '''Sebaste''': The title of a Princess of the blood Imperial, that is reserved for the female descendants (that is the great-grand daughters) of the younger sons of the emperor and his brothers and those in the female line to the third-degree.
# '''Queen''' Officially called '''Anassa''' or less commonly '''Banu''' as the wife of a consistuent king. The Consistuent kings or Hypotelis-Princes (Vassal Princes) ranked just below the immediate imperial family and princes of the blood imperial.
#'''Igemonis''': A rank reserved for the legitimized daughters of concubines.
#'''Concubines''': Given their status as not legal wives, concubines ranked behind all other senior women at court and were divided into four classes '''Begum''', '''Khanum''', '''Khatun''', and '''Kaniz'''.


'''Ladies of the Court ranks:'''
* Chief Mahaldar: the lifetime post of  Grand Mistress or Superintendant of the Court Ladies. The seniormost female attendant at court is responsible for financial and organizational matters of the women's Court, as as oversight of the female attendants. Special functions included reporting to the sovereign about harem matters. In earlier times this office was called Kyria Potnia (Lady Mistress)
* Chief Khanadar: Second in command of the Ladies of the court. She is responsible for overseeing the travels, furnishings and supply of linen, lace, silk, furniture to the apartments of the empress and of the other women of the court and court ladies.
* Protovestria: The Mistress of the Wardrobe, the thrid highest Lady of the court rank is responsible for the daily preparing of the empress' wardrobe (her undergarments, riding dress, and public and leisurely attire)


* Mahaldar: A Superintendant of female attendants. In the present each female relative of the immediate imperial family has a Mahaldar who reports to the Chief Mahaldar and peferoms the duties of Lady of Honour to her female charges. Historically when princes were allowed multiple wives each of their establisments contained Mahaldars.
* Khanadar: A lady in waiting responsible for a host of functions in relation to their imperial charges; including wardrobe and travel matters
* Daroga: A term for a high-middle ranking lady in waiting at court. The post is divided into the Daroga of the Chamber and Daroga of the Court; while the former performed mostly ceremonial functions, the latter were responsible for regular attendance on their female charges.
* Vestria: A position junior to that of lady-in-waiting, these maidens were drawn from the nobility and upper echelons and entered court service at a young age often to attend the Court Ladies School and contract a good marriage.




Revision as of 01:43, 30 June 2022

The Imperial Court of Mesogeia refers to the institution, which historically has been divided regionally into the Imperial Court of the North (Farsian: Darbār e Azam) and the Imperial Court of the South (Alcaenian: βασιλική αυλή), which are comprised of the domestic, military, and religious entourage of the Emperor of Mesogeia, which supports both the reigning sovereign and the members of the Imperial Family in the fulfillment of their duties.

History

The imperial court of Mesogeia originated as the court of the Alcaeids in the 11th century BC, which was synonymous with the imperial government, meaning that essentialy they were one in the same. Such court titles as Hazarapatis (Master of the Thousands), Visapatis (Marshal of the court), Databara (Master of laws), Ganzabara (Chief Treasurer), Arstibara (keeper of the Spear), Vacabara (keeper of the bow), and Azdakara (Chief Announcer), were all attested as having existed in the 5th century BC during the reign of Artaxerxes III. Of these ancient offices few survived into the present day, although the title of Hazarapatis is believed to have been the precursor for the mordern title of Megas Chilliarch, which is the most senior great officer of the empire.

Eventually following the hellenic overthrow of the old Alcaeid empire in the 4th century BC the new Aegaid dynasty began a process of hellenization. Although the Aegaid dynasty monarchs maintained royal courts at Mithradat-Alcaeia, Chousa, Fasargadai, and Ecbatana in the Farsian regions of the empire; they also continued to maintain royal courts in the southern regions particularly at their ancestral seats Aegai and Pella, effectively creating two court structures.

By the time the city of Ctesiphon was founded across the river Aranz from Mithradat-Alcaeia to serve as a garrison for northern troops in the early 2nd century BC, two seperate imperial courts existed at Mithradat-Alcaeia in the north and Pella in the south. The southern imperial court moved with the Emperor when the imperial capital was transfered to Parisia in 21 BC. The southern imperial court moved to Alexandropolis (the current national capital) in the 4th century AD; although the northern imperial court was maintained at Chrysopolis (a term referring to the tri-cities of Mithradat, Alcaeia, and Ctesiphon during the entirety of these centuries.

By the mid 4th century AD two established heads of the imperial courts were attested, a Darigansalar for the northern court and a Prokoitos for the southern court; both of which were given the honorific Megas (great).

The basic administrative structure of the Imperial court has existed in its present form largely unchanged for well over a thousand years. The Imperial court has historically been divided into the Imperial Court of the North and the Imperial Court of the South.

Structure and organization

The Imperial Court of Mesogeia is divided into two seperate establishments for the north and the south, known as the Imperial Courts of the North and the South. Since at least the 11th century there was a Grammateus ton oikeiakon for the administering of the southern court on the behalf of the Megas Prokoitos. It was not until the 16th that the establisments of both regional imperial courts were centralized under a sole Imperial Court Ministy, although they continued to have nearly identical departments in some cases, with slight variations for several centuries further.

Great Offices of the court

Imperial Court of the North

The Birûn

The Andarûn

Imperial Court of the South

The Basilikon Triklinion

The Basilikon Thálamos

The Women's Apartments

The Women's apartments refers to the seperate establishment within the imperial court which defines the hierarchy of the women of the court, including the empress, imperial consorts, imperial princesses and their respective entourages and staff. The Gynaikeion is diveded into a southern and north branch although it is run from Alexandropolis.

There are two groups of women, within the imperial court of Mesogeia: the first group being Women of the Harem and Ladies of the Court. Women of the Harem or Women of the Court (as they were sometimes called) refers to the empress, imperial consorts, imperial princesses, concubines and all other female relatives of the Mesogeian sovereign.

In contrast the Ladies of the Court refers to the ladies in waiting and female attending staff attached to the entourages of the women of the court.

Women of the Court ranks:

  1. Empress Dowager: The senior rank of the entire female establishment is that of the woman bearing the status of empress mother by virtue of being the widow or biological/adoptive mother of a reiging or past reigning monarch. The Empress Dowager officially uses the titles Mahd-e Olyā ("Sublime Cradle" or "Highest Ranked Lady"), Basilometor ("Empress Mother), and Basilissa ("Empress").
  2. Empress Consort: The second-highest rank in the women's court is reserved for the chief consort or empress of a reigning sovereign. The Empress consort officially uses the titles of Padishah Begum ("First Lady"), and Basilissa interchangabaly.
  3. Imperial Consorts: The secondary wives of an emperor were entitled to be styled as Shahbanu ("Lady of the Emperor"). Historically speaking the Mesogeian church allowed for the Emperor to have 1 empress, 4 consorts, and numerous concubines.
  4. Despotissa of Morea: is the official title reserved for the wife of the Despot of the Morea (the heir apparant). It is equivalent to the position of Crown Princess, and is generally believed to supersede that of Grand Princess.
  5. Kyria Despoina: (literally "Lady Mistress") is a title specifically created for the eldest daughter of the reigning monarch. The position is held for life when available.
  6. Sebastokratoria: Is a title reserved for the wife of the Emperor's brother.
  7. Grand Princesss: A title reserved for the daughters, male-line grand-daughters of reigning monarchs. Officially called Megas Basilopoula ("Great Princess") or Shahdokht ("Imperial Princess"). All princes and princesses of imperial blood in the male line are entitled to be styled as Shahzada
  8. Sebaste: The title of a Princess of the blood Imperial, that is reserved for the female descendants (that is the great-grand daughters) of the younger sons of the emperor and his brothers and those in the female line to the third-degree.
  9. Queen Officially called Anassa or less commonly Banu as the wife of a consistuent king. The Consistuent kings or Hypotelis-Princes (Vassal Princes) ranked just below the immediate imperial family and princes of the blood imperial.
  10. Igemonis: A rank reserved for the legitimized daughters of concubines.
  11. Concubines: Given their status as not legal wives, concubines ranked behind all other senior women at court and were divided into four classes Begum, Khanum, Khatun, and Kaniz.

Ladies of the Court ranks:

  • Chief Mahaldar: the lifetime post of Grand Mistress or Superintendant of the Court Ladies. The seniormost female attendant at court is responsible for financial and organizational matters of the women's Court, as as oversight of the female attendants. Special functions included reporting to the sovereign about harem matters. In earlier times this office was called Kyria Potnia (Lady Mistress)
  • Chief Khanadar: Second in command of the Ladies of the court. She is responsible for overseeing the travels, furnishings and supply of linen, lace, silk, furniture to the apartments of the empress and of the other women of the court and court ladies.
  • Protovestria: The Mistress of the Wardrobe, the thrid highest Lady of the court rank is responsible for the daily preparing of the empress' wardrobe (her undergarments, riding dress, and public and leisurely attire)
  • Mahaldar: A Superintendant of female attendants. In the present each female relative of the immediate imperial family has a Mahaldar who reports to the Chief Mahaldar and peferoms the duties of Lady of Honour to her female charges. Historically when princes were allowed multiple wives each of their establisments contained Mahaldars.
  • Khanadar: A lady in waiting responsible for a host of functions in relation to their imperial charges; including wardrobe and travel matters
  • Daroga: A term for a high-middle ranking lady in waiting at court. The post is divided into the Daroga of the Chamber and Daroga of the Court; while the former performed mostly ceremonial functions, the latter were responsible for regular attendance on their female charges.
  • Vestria: A position junior to that of lady-in-waiting, these maidens were drawn from the nobility and upper echelons and entered court service at a young age often to attend the Court Ladies School and contract a good marriage.
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