Maria Tarpeia

The Illustrious Duchess Maria Tarpeia CI IA EE ECA EOV
Consul of Latium
In office 9 March 2014 – 18 February 2016
Monarch	Jason VI
Preceded by	Constantine Otacilius
Succeeded by	Alexander Pompilius
Senate Minority Leader
In office 5 August 2010 – 9 March 2014
Monarch	Jason VI Augustus
Consul	Constantine Otacilius
Preceded by	Antonius Farsuleius
Succeeded by	Theodosius Fulvius
Leader of the Optimates
In office 5 August 2010 – 18 February 2016
Preceded by	Antonius Farsuleius
Succeeded by	Alexander Pompilius
Imperial Delator for Perateia
In office 15 January 1995 – 7 May 2001
Monarch	Jason VI Claudius
Preceded by	Constantine Goulas
Succeeded by	Andronicus Syrgiannes
Senator of Latium
In office 1 January 1991 – 18 February 2016
Personal details
Born	Maria Tarpeia Anicia Iuliana Antonia (1966-07-12) 12 July 1966 Velia, Castellum ab Alba, Latium
Political party	Optimates
Spouse(s)	Duke Christopher Ulpius (m. 1988; died 2016)
Children	3
Parent(s)	Constantine Tarpeius Zoe, Duchess of Haenna
Alma mater	St. Michael's College College of Legal Studies, Castellum (LD)

Duchess Maria Tarpeia, CI IA EE ECA EOV (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 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. 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legislative acts passed were the Morality Acts of 2014 and 2015; however, the laws were never enforced and eventually repealed in 2018.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 Duke Constantine Tarpeius and Princess Zoe, Duchess of Haenna on 12 July 1966. Tarpeia was the second oldest of five, including: Fausta, Rhea, Alexandra, and 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, 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, and was placed on the 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, "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."

Perateian administration

In 1996, Tarpeia was appointed to the 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, 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 article: Latin general election, 2014

In 2014, a budget crisis resulted in 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 "gross and outrageous spending" 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 imperial socialism. This policy saw an increase in healthcare spending

Resignation

Tarpeia unexpectedly resigned as 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, Mysian and 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 "disturbed by the destruction of the traditions." She describes herself as very religious, owing that to the influence of her father.

Marriage

Tarpeia was married to 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 article: 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, Fausta married then 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. 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

• Latium: Knight of the Order of the Ram
• Latium: Dame of the Illustrious Order of the Purple Ribbon
• Latium: Dame of the Ancient Equestrian Order

Foreign honors

• Lyncanestria: Dame of the Order of Saint Robert <imgur w="50">wzk2ZxW.png</imgur> 27 December 2015
• Sydalon: Dame of the Order of the Holy Lance 30 September 2015

Issue

Name	Birth	Death	Spouse(s)
By Duke Christopher Ulpius (b. 1962)
Adrian Ulpius	(1992-07-30) 30 July 1992		Married Rosa of Garza
Diana Ulpia	(1993-09-12) 12 September 1993		Married ; had issue.
Helena Ulpia	(1996-01-04) 4 January 1996

Ancestry

Ancestors of Maria Tarpeia

16. Constantine Tarpeius 8. Theodosius Tarpeius 17. Valeria Sulpicia 4. Duke Michael Tarpeius 18. Constantine Poppaeus 9. Maria Poppaea 19. Alaina Rouanti 2. Duke Constantine Tarpeius 20. Maurus Vitruvius 10. Duke George Vitruvius 21. Maria Lentula 5. Pericleia Vitruvia 22. Urbicus Mocillus 11. Christina Mocilla 23. Agnes Poppaea 1. Maria Tarpeia 24. Michael Anicius, Duke of Beroea 12. John Anicius, Duke of Beroea 25. Sygria Julia 6. Constantine XIX of Latium 26. John XIII of Latium 13. Joanna I, Latin Empress 27. Princess Alexandra of Ghant 3. Princess Zoe, Duchess of Haenna 28. Prince Victor of Ghant 14. Prince Henri, Duke of Épernon 29. Catherine I of Lyncanestria 7. Princess Marie Christine of Épernon 30. George VI, Elector of Nyrundy 15. Adalinda of Nyrundy 31. Ludmilla of Tungria

See also

• List of Latin Consuls

Maria Tarpeia Tarpeii family Born: 12 July 1966
Political offices
Preceded by Constantine Goulas	Imperial Delator for Perateia 1996–2001	Succeeded by Andronicus Syrgiannes
Preceded by Antonius Farsuleius	Senate Minority Leader 2010–2014	Succeeded by Theodosius Fulvius
Preceded by Constantine Otacilius	Consul of Latium 2014–2016	Succeeded by Alexander Pompilius
Party political offices
Preceded by Antonius Farsuleius	Leader of the Optimates 2010–2016	Succeeded by Alexander Pompilius