Diocese of the East
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Diocese of the East
| |
|---|---|
| Country |  Latium |
| Prefecture | Perateia |
| Government seat | Leonopolis |
| Government | |
| • Body | Executive Council |
| • Prefect | Jacob Aurelius |
| • Count Palatine | The Duke Stilicho |
| • Legislature | Assembly |
| Population (2018-12-31) | |
| • Total | number |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+4 (CEST) |
| ISO 3166 code | LA-DO |
| Official languages | Latin, Vardanan, Mysian, Thraysian |
The Diocese of the East (Latin: Dioecesis Orientis; Vardanan: Արևելքի թեմ), colloquially referred to as Perateia (Vardanan Պերատեիա; Mysian: Περάτεια) or less frequently as Transmaria, is a diocese of Latium. It is the only territory of Latium to span multiple continents, occupying a strategic location spanning the Alcaean Straits, linking the Periclean and Ozeros Seas.
The diocese consists of 5 provinces, including Leonopolis which is coterminous with the city of the same name. It was created a diocese in 1955, previous to that holding the status of a Caesarian province. It is the second iteration of the Diocese of the East, the first being created in the Xth century AD. Its administrative headquarters is located in Leonopolis. Perateia enjoys a degree of autonomy. While Latin is the official language of government in Perateia, Mysian, Vardanan, and X are recognized languages and enjoy equal dignity with Latin.
Perateia, and its surrounding area, have been inhabited by diverse civilizations including the X, Mysians, Vardanans, and successive empires including the ancient Teispids, Latins, Bayarids, Thraysians, and the Mesfid and Almurid Caliphates, and X. From 1444 to 1851 the area served as the capital region of the Kingdom of Vardana, though at times was a tributary of larger neighboring states. Today it is one of the most diverse areas in Latium.
Etymology
The official name of the diocese is the Diocese of the East, named for the ancient Latin territory of the same due to its status as the easternmost province. It is colloquially referred to as Perateia, which comes from Hellenic "ἡ περαία", which translates to "place beyond [the sea]". This name was used in reference to the area around the Alcaean Straits as early as the 3rd century BCE by early Hellenic and Aradian explorers.
Politics
The Diocese of the East is the largest Latin territory outside of Belisaria by area and population. It holds dual status as a diocese and a caesarian province, which sometimes creates overlap between local governments. The central Latin government and its agencies handle many issues in the Diocese of the East that are considered Imperial competencies, such as foreign affairs, defense, trade, etc.
The monarch appoints the Count Palatine, who is governor of the territory and holds the special title of "Count of the East" (comes Orientis). The Count Palatine serves as the monarch's representative in the diocese and plays a key role in local government as head of the Executive Council. He or she resides at Lauseion, in Leonopolis. The Perateian Assembly serves as the main deliberative body in the diocese, in which all citizen residents are able to stand for election or vote. Residents are eligible to serve in the Senate. Traditionally, a Senator that primarily resides in the Diocese is appointed the Magisterial Secretary for Perateian Affairs.
The Diocese of the East maintains its own judiciary, which is subordinate to the Imperial courts. It does not have its own legal code, utilizing Latin law and legal codes. There is no court of last resort and unlike courts in the main Imperial system, any appeals beyond the first appellate level are sent to the Sacred Assembly for review.