Maria Tarpeia

The Magnificent Duchess Maria Tarpeia CI IA EE ECA EOV
Consul of the Latin Empire
In office 1 January 2011 – 31 December 2012 Serving with Jacobus VI Claudius
Monarch	Jacobus VI Claudius
Preceded by	The Duke of Ravenna Appius Martius
Succeeded by	Diana I Anicia Jacobus VI Claudius
Praeses Senatus
In office 3 January 2011 – 14 March 2015
Monarch	Jacobus VI Claudius
Preceded by	Constantine Otacilius
Succeeded by	Theodorus Stilcho
Senate Minority Leader
In office 5 August 2007 – 3 January 2011
Monarch	Jacobus VI Augustus
Preceded by	Antonius Farsuleius
Succeeded by	Theodosius Fulvius
Senatorial Leader of the Populares
In office 5 August 2007 – 14 March 2015
Preceded by	Antonius Farsuleius
Succeeded by	Amantius Martius
President of the University of Haenna
Incumbent
Assumed office 17 June 2019
Vice President	Stephanus Canidius
Preceded by	Constantine Lactucinus
Senator of Latium
Incumbent
Assumed office 1 January 1991
Personal details
Born	Maria Tarpeia Anicia Iuliana Antonia (1966-07-12) 12 July 1966 Velia, Castellum ab Alba, Latium
Political party	Populares
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 Praeses Senatus. In addition, she served Leader of the Populares from August 2007 until March 2015. 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 Praeses Senatus, holding office from 2014 to 2016. Her tenure as praeses senatus marked the the first time in over a decade that the Populares 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legislative acts passed were the Morality Acts of 2014 and 2015; however, the laws were never enforced and eventually repealed in 2018.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 as praeses in 2015 and retired from public life in 2016. Since 2018 has began making more public appearances and has hinted at standing for the Senate and party leadership once again. In 2019, she became President the University of Haenna.

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 Christina of Rahdenburg.

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 Populares, 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 Populares faction list ahead of the 1990 election. On election day, the Populares 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 Praeses Senatus Constantine Otacilius.

2010 election victory

Main article: 2010 Latin senatorial election

In her first election as leader, the Populares also saw massive gains in popular vote and earned an additional 74 seats, which boosted the faction to a majority at 341 seats.

She was subsequently appointed praeses senatus and became the first female to hold the office.

Policies

Tarpeia's worked with the Emperor to create the Bureau of Morality and Unity after the 2011 senate was seated. In 2014, Tarpeia and the Populares senate 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 re-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 Populares 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 care. This policy saw an increase in healthcare and social spending.

Resignation

Tarpeia unexpectedly resigned as Praeses Senatus on 14 March 2015. 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 Michael Flavius; 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 Anicius 26. John XIII Anicius 13. Joanna I Anicia 27. Princess Alexandra of Ghant 3. Princess Zoe, Duchess of Haenna 28. Henry V, Elector of Rahdenburg 14. William II, Elector of Rahdenburg 29. Diana of Ravenna 7. Christina of Rahdenburg 30. George VI, Elector of Nyrundy 15. Adalinda of Nyrundy 31. Ludmilla of Tungria

See also

• List of praesides senatus

Maria Tarpeia Tarpeia family Born: 12 July 1966
Political offices
Preceded by Antonius Farsuleius	Senate Minority Leader 2007–2014	Succeeded by Theodosius Fulvius
Preceded by Constantine Otacilius	Praeses Senatus 2011–2015	Succeeded by Alexander Pompilius
Party political offices
Preceded by Antonius Farsuleius	Senatorial Leader of the Populares 2007–2015	Succeeded by TBD