Romaikos

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Rhomaion Empire
Βασιλεία Ῥωμαίων
Romaikos.png
Flag
Rhomaionensign.png
Imperial Ensign
Motto: "One God, One Empire, One Faith"
Anthem: Απολυτίκιο του Τιμίου Σταυρού
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Capital
and largest city
Constantinople
Official languagesGreek
Ethnic groups
  • 54.5% Greek
  • 15.2% Macedonian
  • 6.7% Bulgarian
  • 1.1% Athenian
  • 2.3% Armenian
  • 8.4% Turkic
  • 7.4% Sunafrican
  • 2.0% Pacific Islander
  • 2.5% Other
Religion
Eastern Catholicism
Demonym(s)Rhomaion
GovernmentAbsolute Monarchy
• Emperor
Constantine XVII Daskalatos
• Heir
Constantine XVIII Daskalatos
LegislatureImperial Council
Establishment
• East-West division of the Rhomaion Empire
1 January 300 A.D.
• Constantine's vision
13 October 323
• First Restoration of the (Eastern) Rhomaion Empire
8 June 1734
• Second Restoration of the (Eastern) Rhomaion Empire
17 June 1939
Population
• 2018 estimate
164,231,475
GDP (PPP)2018 estimate
• Total
$4,326,186,250,072
• Per capita
$26,342
GDP (nominal)2018 estimate
• Total
$4,132,941,006,820
• Per capita
$25,165
HDI (2018).824
very high
CurrencyBezant (☧) (BZT)
Time zoneUTC+3 (Rhomaion Imperial Time)
Date formatmm-dd-yyyy
Driving sideleft
Calling code+32

The Rhomaion Empire (Βασιλεία Ῥωμαίων), or Romaikos, is an independent nation in Eastern Ventismar in Sunalaya. Romaikos is an absolute monarchy. The nation's mainland is bordered by Shastara to the west, Dirkhizistan to the east, Ashukal to the south, and Ophioneus to the north.

The modern day Empire is an ultraconservative and religious society, influenced by Eastern Christianity and its imperial traditions. It is part of the ACCIS and the NLTO.

The Rhomaion Empire is one of the world's oldest nations. It claims its legacy from the classical Rhomaion Empire (known as the Illyesian Empire in Latin) that began in 723 B.C. After the Hellenic Kingdoms were invaded from 175 BC to 231 BC, Hellenic culture became influential to the classical Rhomaion Empire. In 300 AD, the Empire was politically divided into a west and an east. The eastern Empire carried the legacy of the original Empire while adopting a more Greek and Christian identity.

Etymology

The term "Rhomaion Empire" is the English translation of "Βασιλεία Ῥωμαίων," which is named after the city Ρώμη (Greek translation) in Tyrenes. Ρώμη was the capital of the classical Rhomaion Empire in antiquity.

The country is sometimes referred to as the Mysenaean Empire. The name "Mysenaea" is after the old Greek archaeological site of Mysenae on which Constantinople was built on. The term "Mysenaea" or "Mysenaean" was coined by western scholars in order to distinguish between the classical, Latin-speaking, Pagan Rhomaion Empire from the medieval, Greek-speaking, Christian Rhomaion Empire. The Rhomaion people often take the term Mysenaean as a slur.

History

History of Romaikos

Geography

The geography of the mainland is fairly diverse and often depends upon the region. In the western area, the geography of East Romaikos is largely flat, temperate, and mild. The heartland of East Romaikos is full of steppes and mild mountains. The southeastern edges of East Romaikos contain deserts. Towards the northwest consists of colder, dryer, and more mountainous terrain.

The western region and heartland of Romaikos are fertile and largely productive in agriculture. The eastern frontier areas are somewhat wealthy in natural resources.

The overseas territories of Romaikos include islands to the west of the mainland, a colony in northern Ziamban, and islands in the Divergian Ocean. The Ziamban territory is largely desert, and the the Divergian islands are tropical.

Themes

Themes of the Rhomaion Empire (Mainland)

Themes (Greek: θέματα, thémata, singular: θέμα, théma) are the administrative divisions of the Rhomaion Empire. They were established in the early 7th century, replacing the provincial system created by Constantine the Great. The system has undergone major reforms throughout the centuries, but are still known as themes to this day.

Largest Cities (Mainland)

Number City City Proper Metropolitan Area Theme Predominant Ethnicity
1 Constantinople 10,721,493 16,170,607 Byzantium Greek
2 Skopje 6,341,995 9,123,593 Skopje Macedonian
3 Nicaea 5,619,814 7,198,178 Byzantium Greek
4 Thessaloniki 3,593,449 5,083,413 Dyrrhachion Greek
5 Mystras 2,615,266 4,467,516 Helas Greek
6 Corum 2,375,774 3,607,698 Chappadocia Turkic
7 Montana 1,919,098 4,350,642 South Boulgaria Bulgarian
8 Vinica 1,784,095 3,294,104 Mygdonia Macedonian
9 Port Constantine 1,595,385 2,381,416 Chalcedon Greek
10 Pehcevo 712,195 1,813,179 Mygdonia Macedonian

Politics and Government

The Rhomaion Empire is an absolute monarchy with the Emperor as the head of state. The tradition of absolutism is long ingrained into the Empire with its history. The Emperor is assisted by an Imperial Council and bureaucracy that often influence his decisions. All citizens of at least 18 years or older are granted the right to attend, meet, or petition the Emperor through a legal system.

The general politics of the Empire take place through the absolute monarchy, and are ultraconservative and religious in nature. The government holds a tight grip on social control through censorship and imprisonment of political opponents. Meanwhile, the Church has a large influence on the government and many political decisions. The word of the clergy is often taken into account, while government officials tend to be devoutly religious. They are all required to rule "in accordance with Christian values" by Rhomaion Law.

The Emperor

The Emperor is considered to be the sole and absolute ruler, though in practice there are restrictions by the Church and a charter of liberties applicable during peacetime. The Emperor's power is justified under the concept of divine right whereby a divine mandate grants the Emperor's claim to power. This is, however, under the condition that his rule is benevolent and in accordance with the Church's doctrine.

The throne of the Emperor alternates between being a hereditary dynasty and an elective position that can be filled by a high-ranking civil servant or military officer. Its status varies by the current political climate and prosperity of the Empire, usually with more prosperous eras having a more hereditary throne.

Imperial Council

The legislative powers of the empire fall in the hands of the Imperial Council, a legislative body made up of 250 seats. The Imperial Council has significant influence over the country's politics. Members of the Council may propose and vote on legislation, which pass or fail depending on the Emperor's decree.

The Imperial Council has roots in the old Rhomaion Senate, though the tradition of democratic elections has long faded away.

Logothetes

Logothete is a title applied to a senior official in the Rhomaion Empire, who commands their respective administrative department. Logothetes are said to be equivalent to what are known as "ministers" in foreign countries.

Current Logothetes

Sector Logothete Ethnicity
Defense Georgios Palaiologos Greek
Finance David Velyov Macedonian
Economy Cedomir Andreev Macedonian
Law Basil Philoponus Greek
Education Gregorius Rhangabe Greek
Justice Faik Yildizoglu Turkic
Foreign Affairs Soukias Zakaryan Armenian
Health Manuel Glycas Greek
Development Michal Petrevski Macedonian
Agriculture Quintus Psellus Greek
Culture Vetranis Stratioticus Greek

Military

Foreign Relations

The Eastern Rhomaion Empire is a part of ACCS and NLTO.

Economy

The economy of the Rhomaion Empire is valued at ☧153,786,734,863,772, which gives it a per capita GDP of around ☧936,402.32. There is a significant inequality of wealth by region. The western provinces are wealthier and more developed in comparison to the eastern provinces and overseas territories.

Romaikos has a medium-sized sector in mining that constitutes around 19% of its GDP, which is fueled by its abundance in minerals and precious gems in Armenia and Ambrosia (Sunafrica). Around 27% of Armenia's export value is through copper. Reserves of gold and diamond also play a significant role. Larger deposits of minerals can be found in Ambrosia, which is wealthy in resources such as Iron, Titanium, Rauxite, Aluminum, Gold, and Diamonds. Almost all mining activities are through the National Mining Company, which is an Imperial-chartered monopoly that owns all mining activities in Romaikos. Competition exists through subsidiary companies that fall under the National Mining Company. Much of its profits go towards the national treasury in order to reduce taxes.

In the western heartland, cash crops are grown for export due to their fertile lands, while elsewhere agriculture focuses on serving domestic needs and self-sufficiency. The urban centers of the western provinces are based on manufacturing and technology.

Textiles are one of the largest industries within Romaikos. It is among one of the world's most important textile and apparel manufacturing countries, playing a large role in international trade. It constitutes 9% of Rhomaion's export value. It has remained competitive and experienced steady growth over the years. Textile manufacturing takes place in modern, industrial methods that co-exist with a smaller scale of traditionally-produced and handcrafted textiles.

The city of Nicaea, located in the same theme as Constantinople, is unofficially considered to be the technology capital of Romaikos.

Economic Structure

The economy of the Rhomaion Empire is based on ideas such as distributism and corporatism. Most industries and workers are under workers' guilds which manage their industry and protect the interests of workers. Workers' guilds are semi-private as they generally operate on their own, though they are often used as a medium of enforcing decrees by the imperial government. All workers' guilds have administrators sent from Constantinople to ensure imperial demands are met.

The power and wealth of the corporate elite is much smaller in Romaikos as compared to capitalist economies, while the government retains a large amount of control over the economy. The Emperor is considered to have absolute power over all industry within Romaikos.

Energy

Several coal deposits are found in Romaikos

Transport

Transportation throughout the Empire primarily takes place through an extensive railway system, and occasionally through air. The railways of Romaikos stretch 35,127km and are more densely packed into western provinces. Within most cities, trams provide sufficient transportation.

Automobiles are moderately used for long distance commute, especially in less densely populated areas. 14 year old driver licenses are available in some rural areas.

Demographics

Education

Religion

The Eastern Rhomaion Empire is an extremely Christian nation, characterized by Eastern Christianity that takes a more mystical approach to theology than their western counterparts. The Rhomaion Orthodox Catholic Church is the largest Church in Constantinople, which coexists with a minority of Armenian and Coptic Christians.

The Empire remains in communion with the Papacy and recognizes their primacy, hence being considered "Catholic." Though there is a considerable level of autonomy within the Eastern Christian churches, which is headed by the Bishop of Constantinople.

The Bishop of Constantinople is often appointed by the Emperor and unable to hold office without his approval. The Rhomaion emperors have exercised mild control over the ecclesiastical hierarchy and the eastern Church's administrative affairs. The idea of "Caesaropapsim" has been attributed towards to the Rhomaion Empire as a result. Though given the influence that the Church has over the Emperor and political affairs, there is a great deal of interdependence between imperial and ecclesiastical structures. A few historical Rhomaion Emperors that attempted to submit the church to the state had failed and were excommunicated.

2018 Consensus

Religion % of population
Rhomaion Orthodox-Catholicism 95.577%
Armenian Orthodox-Catholicism 2.295%
Coptic Orthodox-Catholicism 1.968%
Illyesian Catholicism 0.151%
Heretic Religions 0.002%
Heathen Religions 0.005%
  • Muslim and Jewish residents in Jerusalem are granted several protections under the law but are not considered citizens of the Empire, thus are not included in the consensus

Religious Life

Religion is extremely important to the Rhomaions. No matter one's social standing or background, life is typically influenced by religion and its practices. Weekly (or more frequent) Church attendance is a habit among almost all Rhomaions. Praying is a habit to most subjects of the Empire. Prayer in schools, public places, and workplaces are common and sometimes organized by leaders. Prayer ropes are commonly held items. Religion also influences the thoughts, actions, and mindset of its many subjects. The Empire's subjects dedicate their lives to God in one form or another.

Religion is not only a part of social life in Romaikos but is also deeply rooted in its institutions. One may find its presence in education, law, hospitals, academia, and etc. It also plays a large role in the government. Church-state separation is an unrecognizable content.

Romaikos's religion is a continuous inspiration to its arts and culture. The Empire has continuously constructed large cathedrals for centuries. Among the most famous and oldest ones is Hagia Sophia. Built in 574 AD, Hagia Sophia is often associated as the symbol of Constantinople.

Culture

Art

Despite being in an age of technology, classical art styles continue to remain commonplace in Romaikos and co-exist with digital art and photography. Romaikos is well known for its mosaics, though fresco and illuminated manuscript are used more frequently in smaller artworks. Much of its classical art styles relate with religious expression. Their styles reflect images representing the divine, absolute, and imaginative, rather than realistic depictions. As such, they tend to be abstract and two-dimensional. A golden background, a common depiction of heaven in Eastern Christianity, is frequently in both religious and secular art. Brilliant and vibrant color palettes are used over realistic expression. Bright stones, gold, and precious metals can be found in larger artworks. However, a mild degree of realism is sometimes used in secular paintings.

Music

Cuisine

The Cuisine of Romaikos often varies by region. Contemporary Greek and Macedonian cuisine makes wide use of vegetables, grains, olive oil, fish, wine, meat, and olives. Other common ingredients include pasta, cheese, lemon juice, herbs, bread, and yogurt. Wheat and barley are the most common graints. Desert ingredients mostly include fruits and occasionally pastries. Some influence comes from neighboring countries such as Tyrenes and Shastara.

Turkic cuisine carries a more oriental and middle eastern flavor than contemporary cuisine in the western provinces. A larger use of spices, curry, stews are found in Turkic cuisine. Turkic cuisine is also famous for its variety of mezes, kebabs, and dough-based desserts such as balklava, sobiyet, kunefe, and kayadif.

Sports

The National Sport of the Rhomaion Empire is football. The Empire champions its football team as among one of the best in the world. It is commonly watched by almost all subjects of the Empire. One may frequently find young Rhomaions playing football in parks and in streets.

Other popular sports in Romaikos include golf, rugby, shooting, and running.