Maria Tarpeia

The Illustrious The Duchess Ulpia CI IA EE ECA EOV
Consul of Latium
In office 9 March 2014 – 18 February 2016
Monarch	Jason VI Augustus
Preceded by	Constantine Otacilius
Succeeded by	Alexander Pompilius
Master of Offices
In office 22 March 1998 – 1 February 2000
Monarch	Diana Augusta Jason VI Augustus
Preceded by	Florentine Verrucosus
Succeeded by	The Duke Pinarius
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
Aedile First Praetor
In office 15 January 1996 – 12 March 1998
Monarch	Diana Augusta Jason VI Augustus
Consul	Justin Seius
Preceded by	Constantine Goulas
Senator of Latium
In office 1 January 1991 – 18 February 2016
Personal details
Born	Maria Tarpeia Anicia Iuliana Antonia 12 December 1965 Velia, Castellum ab Alba, Latium
Died	6 November 2016(2016-11-06) (aged 50) Palatine, Castellum ab Alba
Political party	Optimates
Spouse(s)	Duke Christopher Ulpius (m. 1988; died 2016)
Children	5
Parent(s)	Constantine Tarpeius, 2nd Duke of Haenna Princess Zoe of Latium
Alma mater	St. Michael's College College of Legal Studies, Castellum (LD)

Maria Tarpeia, Duchess Ulpia, CI IA EE ECA EOV (Maria Tarpeia Anicia Iuliana Antonia; 12 July 1966 – 6 November 2016) was a prominent Latin politician and noble, former Consul of Latium; serving from March 2014 to February 2016. 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 became Latium's first ever female Consul following the 2014 general election. It was the first time in over a decade that the Optimates held control of the Senate. Her consulship was noted for a heavy shift to the right, with an attempt to create the office of Praetoriship for Morality and National Unity. 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legislative acts passed were the Morality Acts of 2014 and 2015; however, the laws were never enforced and eventually repealed in 2018.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 was diagnosed with breast cancer in early 2016, prompting her immediate resignation from the Consulship and the Senate. Tarpeia was reported to have been in Castellum prior to the surrender of the city during the 2016 succession crisis, it was later announced that she was discovered to have died at some point that night.

Early Life and education

Maria Tarpeia was born at the 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 four five, Fausta, Rhea, Alexandra, and Silvia. She is a relative of the Imperial Household, with her mother being a Latin princess. She was named after her maternal grandmother Princess Marie Christine of Épernon.

Tarpeia attended St. Michael's Primary School in Castellum for the earliest years of her schooling, later finishing her primary education at St. Augustine's in Rutupiae. She would continue her secondary education at St. Augustine's, before returning to St. Michael's Preparatory in Castellum. She achieved A grades in history and philosophy.

She enrolled at St. Michael's College (not affiliated with St. Michael's Preparatory) for university, a small private university located near the town of Olympia. In university, she participated with the school's college conservative student organization, along with debate club and Catholic student organizations. She regularly visited Olympia, often being seen on the campus where her cousin then Jason, Prince of Youth was attending. Before completing her degree at St. Michael's, 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."

Praetorship

In 1996, Tarpeia was appointed to the cabinet position to serve as Aedile. As Aedile, she was leader of the Domestic Bureau. The Group of Ten affair brought an end to her first praetorship, which saw the Optimates lose control of the Senate following the resignations of implicated members of the leadership.

Emperor's Council appointment

After the collapse of the Seius consulship, Tarpeia was appointed Master of Offices by Emperor Jason VI Augustus, replacing his brother-in-law, Florentine Verrucosus. Tarpeia became the first woman to serve as Master of Offices. She resigned from both offices in February 2000 in protest of Emperor Jason VI Augustus's divorce and subsequent remarriage to Ghantish noblewoman Marsella Atmos

Party leadership

File:Countess Rutupiae speaking to supporters.jpg

The Countess Rutupiae speaking to supporters on the campaign trail, 2015.

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. However, in a campaign speech near the city of Utica, Tarpeia briefly addressed plans to dismantle and privatize the SMH. 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, Tarpeia won her own constituency in a landslide, earning over 74% of the vote. Her Conservatives also saw massive gains, earning an additional 74 seats, which boosted the party to an absolute majority at 341 seats.

She was asked to form a government by Emperor Jason VI Augustus, and became Latium's first female consul.

Morality Acts

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 the circumstances under which abortions could be given in Latium, setting the allowable standards to include protection of the mother's life, in some instances of rape. 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.

Resignation

Tarpeia unexpectedly resigned as Consul on 18 February 2016, disclosing that she was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Tarpeia announced that she was diagnosed in January by her personal physician, but believed she could continue to serve. Tarpeia returned to Vindobona and Villa Ulpiae after her resignation, and remained there until November.

Personal Life

Family

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 was very religious, owing that to the influence of her father.

Marriage

Tarpeia was married to Duke Christopher Ulpius, whom she married in June 1988. Christopher was the eldest son of John,Ulpius. They first met in 1987 after each's parents agreed to a betrothal. They were married in June 1988 at the Temple of Saint Michael in Castellum ab Alba. They had five children.

Heir to the Dukedom of Haenna

Template:Maine As the second eldest child of Constantine Tarpeius, 2nd Duke 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.

Religion

Tarpeia was a devout Fabrian Catholic, and stated in numerous interviews that her faith deeply impacts her daily life as well as political decisions. She and her family primary attended mass at Hagia Maria basilica in Castellum when visiting the capital, and primarily attended St. Paul's Basilica in Asturica, just outside of their home in Vindobona.

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 second born son, Adrian. Prior to her disclaimer, Tarpeia was heir to her mother's titles as Duchess of Haenna.

Styles

• 12 December 1965 – 22 August 1985: Lady Maria Tarepia
• 9 August 1988 – 22 March 1998: The Magnificent The Duchess Ulpia
• 22 March 1998 – 6 November 2016: The Illustrious The Duchess Ulpia

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)
Theodora Ulpia	(1989-08-09) 9 August 1989		Married Prince Andrik of Draakurr.
Diana Ulpia	(1992-05-12) 12 May 1992		Married Flavius Gadea; had issue.
Duke Justin Ulpius	(1993-05-01) 1 May 1993		Married Filippa of Messenia
Adrian Ulpius	(1994-07-30) 30 July 1994
Helena Ulpia	(1999-01-04) 4 January 1999

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 of Latium 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 Died: 6 December 2016
Political offices
Preceded by Constantinus Goulas	Aedile 1997–1998	Succeeded by Thomas Pacurarus
Preceded by Florentine Verrucosus	Master of Offices 1998–2000	Succeeded by The Duke Pinarius
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