Holy Aventine Empire

Holy Aventine Empire Sacrum Imperium Aventium Sacrum Imperium Alpanae
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Antiquus quod Valens non Arescit" "Old that is Strong does not Wither"
Anthem: Laudes Imperiales "Imperial Acclamations"
Capital	Alpana
Largest city	Kyrona
Official languages	Alpanian
Recognized languages	Hellian Eritian Odestan Tengarian Yugian Reteznian Pelonian Mercedan Curinian Lilean Caprinan Lavinian Crescan Lorican Noman Caligian
Ethnic groups	Alpanian- 33.1% Hellian- 19.0% Kosav-16.5% Commigrati- 12.5% Nymerian- 8.4% Other- 10.5%
Demonym(s)	Aventine
Government	Absolute Monarchy
• Imperator	Pius VII
• Archicamerarius	Konstantinos Pailos
History
• Alpanian Republic Founded	500 BC
• The Christian War	370-375 AD
• Holy Aventine Empire Founded	375 AD
• Migration Period	420-730 AD
• Western Invasions	420-535 AD
• First Golden Age	535-586 AD
• Kosav Invasions	586-730 AD
• First Civil War	667-675 AD
• First Interregnum	675-730 AD
• Restoration Period	730-899 AD
• Iconoclast Controversy	802-836 AD
• Second Civil War	899-901 AD
• Eastern Invasions	899-1041 AD
• Great Sarmar War	988-1041 AD
Population
• 1936 estimate	150,000,000
GDP (PPP)	estimate
• Total	90 billion USD 1960
• Per capita	600 per capita
Currency	Aureus, Sestertius, Denarius
Driving side	right

The Holy Empire of Alpana (Alpanian: Sacrum Imperium Alpanae), known as more commonly as the Holy Aventine Empire (Alpanian: Sacrum Imperium Aventium), is a huge multi-ethnic major power in southern Cybelleum in the world of Verthandi. It was founded in 375 AD at the end of the Christian War, when Petrus Aventinus was crowned Imperator of the Aplana by the Pope, replacing the old Pagan Alpanian Republic. The vast majority of the Empire's original western territory was lost during the Western Invasions of the fifth century, and much of its Eastern territory was lost during the Eastern Invasions of the tenth and eleventh centuries, but the Empire has continued to survive nonetheless and weather through the centuries. The Empire boasts the oldest continuous government in the world, having been ruled by the House Aventinus since its founding over 1550 years ago. It is the current and historical naval hegemon of the Maritamian Sea. One of the world's most ethnically diverse polities, the Empire is home to many different peoples and traditions, both Western and Eastern Catholics, and others, having a long tradition of Imperial granted autonomy and self rule.

Politics

Government

The Dieta Imperii, or the Imperial Diet, is structured into four Colleges. The upper two colleges meet occasionally. The uppermost chamber, the Collegium Episcoporum, or College of Bishops, is the highest college. All bishops have a seat in the College, but the College does not meet very often, only a few times every year. The second chamber, the Collegium Regium, or the College of Kings, is a small college, having only ten seats. It is the portion of the Diet which is very rarely called, generally in times of a crisis or emergency, as well as a few times annually. Only those with a Kingly rank have a seat, though they may send a representative in their stead. This historically works very closely with the Emperor, and is comprised of a few of the major cultural groups of the Empire.

The lower two colleges are more permanent and almost always in session, but many of the eligible members do not stay or even send a representative. The third chamber and principal college of the Diet is the Collegium Principium, or the College of Princes, is a college where all the reigning nobles and temporal ecclesiastics of the Empire are entitled to attend or send a representative in its stead. This is by far the largest college, though even in times of emergency it has never reached above five thousand members, and more often numbers around 700. The College of Princes is the principal college, and is responsible for most of the legislative work the Diet produces. The lowest chamber is the Collegium Civitatum, or the College of the Cities. Headed by the Consuls, or the heads of the Empire’s wealthiest crowned-republics. The College is comprised of representatives from cities and towns across the Empire that are not of noble birth. This tends to be smaller than the College of Princes, and is chiefly in charge with dealing with the Empire’s trade and business. The college often numbers at around 200.

The government of the Empire has developed organically over its long existence, and is greatly varied. It is, strictly speaking, an absolute monarchy- the Emperor has de facto and more or less de jure unilateral authority over the Empire. However, by tradition, custom, and delegation, power is divided. The Emperor is crowned by the Pope, and his reign is not considered legitimate if he lacks Papal support. In fact, the Pope is considered as ultimately superior to the Emperor, and although he does not directly influence political events frequently, the Emperors have generally acknowledged Papal authority above their own, although there have been conflict in the past between the Papacy and the Emperor over authority.

Furthermore, local authority is delegated to the principalities, or sworn vassals to the Emperor. Some vassals are Kings, others major Lords, Consuls of Grand Republics, Temporal Bishops. They have local authorities of their own, sworn to the prince before the Emperor. The Empire has maintained the seeming paradox of a strong Imperial Authority but also strong local rule. As long as the local rulers comply with Imperial Law and uphold the Imperial Peace, they are free to govern as they will. During the middle ages, the Emperor would call special meetings of the princes of the realm to assist with crisises and to respond to situations. This grew to become the Imperial Diet, which eventually became the closest thing to a legislature in the Empire. It can propose laws and legislation, but ultimately these laws must be agreed by the Emperor. The Emperor also has many advisors, chief among them his Archicamerarius, or Archchamberlain, and appoints an Imperial Council to assist him in governance of the realm. The Church also has a great deal of privilege, exceptions and governance in the realm, and its bishops often own land and participate in ruling the realm. The Pope always has a seat on the Imperial Council, but customarily delegates his position to another Prelate.

Foreign Relations and Military

The armies of the Empire are comprised into two major groups- Imperial Legions and the Auxiliaries. The Imperial Legions are the primary fighting force and standing army of the nation- taking their names from the early days of the Empire, but having completely changed in composition and size, now being equivalent to divisions in other armies. Most of the Legions function as infantry, but many are specialized- honor guards, special operations, armored divisions, artillery, engineers, etc. In recent years, the Empire has been expanding its armor divisions, and producing more tanks. Like much of the machinery, however, the tanks are fewer in number than other countries but are of high quality. Not all legions operate by legion- oftentimes groups can split away to support different groups.The second major group, the Auxiliaries, is a catch all term for any defense personal not part of the Imperial Army. This includes police and local armies and reserves in charge of defense of the various principalities of the Empire. The legions are trained to defend the Empire, and are strongest in defensive roles than offensive.

The Empire is renowned for its naval tradition and historical superiority in the Maritamian Sea. The navy is not quite as formidable as it was historically, but has advanced well nonetheless. The heavy ships the Empire the navy fields, its dreadnought battleships, destroyers, and frigates, are well equipped and considered as one the best quality in the world, and are commanded by seasoned seamen and captains. However, the aircraft carriers and submarine forces are not as well developed, but still are passable, having only been developed in recent years, and without the long tradition of the main fleets.

The Empire lacks a strong air force. In recent years they have begun to follow the patterns of the other nations, but for the most part mostly as a defensive measure. The aircraft are fewer in number, but tend to be intercepting fighters, designed to respond to an attack. As with other Imperial machinery, these are well designed and made. The air force is relatively inexperienced, and lacks great numbers offensive fighters and bombers. The Empire has invested in significant anti-aircraft defenses, however.

Demographics

Ethnic Groups

Alpanian- 33.1%

• Alpanian- 10.4%
• Caprinan- 7.2%
• Aurentine- 4.1%
• Lavinian- 3.6%
• Viacaline- 2.3%
• Eritian- 2.0%
• Crescan- 1.6%
• Gianine- 1.0%
• Lorican- 0.6%
• Caligian- 0.3%

Hellian- 19.0%

• Kyronan- 4.1%
• Logninian- 2.9%
• Mercedan- 2.3%
• Argonian- 1.9%
• Melian- 1.5%
• Tyrian- 1.3%
• Aeolian- 1.2%
• Paulian- 1.1%
• Penesan- 0.3%
• Lindan- 0.2%
• Other- 2.2%

Kosav- 16.5%

• Tengarians- 4.5%
• Yugian- 4.3%
• Reteznian-2.9%
• Curinian- 2.4%
• Pelonian- 2.0%
• Toneskin- 0.4%

Commigrati- 12.5%

• Alarian- 4.9%
• Aedethan- 3.3%
• Ebonian- 3.0%
• Lilean- 1.3%

Nymerian- 8.4%

• Alpanian-Nymerian- 4.4%
• Hypolitan- 1.6%
• Masensen- 1.4%
• Noman- 1.0%

Others- 10.5%

• Taranian- 3.5%
• Attian- 3.3%
• Odestan- 1.3%
• Vlandian- 1.0%
• Samar- 0.8%
• Jewish- 0.5%
• Other- 1.1%

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Languages

The Empire is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world, due to its diverse and varied ethnic groups. The Empire, while it requires the learning of Alpanian for service in the Imperial Legion, also encourages and protects the local languages of the populace.

Alpanian
Hellian
Eritian
Odestan
Tengarian
Yugian
Reteznian
Pelonian
Mercedan
Curinian
Lilean
Caprinan
Lavinian
Crescan
Lorican
Noman
Caligian

Economy

The infrastructure of the Empire varies quite widely. Many of the more populous regions of Aplania and Hellias are heavily industrialized, with factories that produce high quality machinery, although not as numerous or many other countries. In the more populated regions, roads tend to be well maintained, and services exist for many. Sprawling railways connect every regional capital and most important towns and cities. However, much of the Empire is rural, and does not have the same level of development. These areas tend to have dirt roads, and fewer services. [b]Economic Overview[/b]: Given the large and diverse variety of resources and geography, the economy of the Empire varies by region and is highly diversified. Fertile agricultural lands in Southern Alpania and Nymera and other farms throughout the rest of the Empire, as well as a large coastline and strong navy to protect fishing interests, there are well more than enough to provide food to feed the Empire and a surplus to trade. Fish, grain and other foodstuffs are exported to neighboring countries. The Empire is famous for its historic Wine and Olive Oil production, and its stock of these is world-renowned, and widespread. The mountains across the Empire provide valuable ores and minerals, anywhere from gems to gold. However, the primary ore found is iron, and the Empire’s steel production is well renowned, and that forms a major export. The Empire also produces a great deal of textiles and clothing. The Empire has a growing industrial sector. The backbone of this is its machinery, automobile and ship industry. The products which are made are higher in quality but not in as much quantity as other nations products. However, they are very well made and well regarded across the world, and are major exports. The Empire’s drydocks are well regarded, and many nations turn to the Empire’s workers to produce their ships. The Empire’s machinery products are high end, and are considered either luxurious or top-line. However, the economy has a few weaknesses. The Empire has to import most of its power. It has enough coal to sustain itself, but it has to import oil from more oil-rich countries. This is the Empire’s primary import, though it also lacks rubber, spices and other tropical items.

Culture

Public holidays

Date	Name	Holiday	Notes
1 January	Feast of the Circumcision of Christ		New Year's Day
2 January	Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus
6 January	Epiphany
2 February	Candlemas
22 February	Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter
19 March	Saint Joseph's Day
25 March	Feast of the Annunciation
movable Thursday	Maundy Thursday		The Thursday Easter Sunday
movable Friday	Good Friday		The Friday before Easter Sunday
movable Saturday	Holy Saturday		The Saturday Easter Sunday
movable Sunday	Easter Sunday		First Sunday after the Ecclesiastical full moon that occurs on or soonest after 21 March
movable Monday-Saturday	Ebdomada Alba		Week following Easter
movable Sunday	Quasimodo Sunday		Sunday After Easter
movable Thursday	Feast of the Ascension		40 days after Easter
movable Sunday	Pentecost		50 Days after Easter
moveable Friday	Feast of the Sacred Heart		19 Days after Pentecost
29 May	Corpus Christi
31 May	Visitation
24 June	Nativity of John the Baptist
29 June	Feast of Saints Peter and Paul
15 August	Assumption of Mary
22 August	Immaculate Heart of Mary
8 September	Nativity of Mary
14 September	Feast of the Cross
1 November	All Saints' Day
2 November	All Souls' Day
21 November	Presentation of Mary
Movable Sunday	Feast of Christ the King		Last Sunday of October
21 November	Immaculate Conception
24 December	Nativity's Eve
25 December	Nativity
26 December	St. Stephen's Day
27 December	Feast of St. John