Maria Tarpeia

Her Grace
Dowager Duchess of Vindobona
CI IA EE OSI CSM EOV
Her Grace Dowager Duchess of Vindobona CI IA EE OSI CSM EOV
Consul of Latium
	In office; 9 March 2014 – 18 February 2016
Monarch	Jason VI Augustus
Deputy	Nicander Propicius
Preceded by	Constantine Otacilius
Succeeded by	Alexander Pompilius
Master of Offices; Count of the Chancery
	In office; 22 March 1998 – 1 February 2000
Monarch	Jason VI Augustus
Preceded by	The Lord Verrucosus of Gerasa
Succeeded by	The Duke of Capena
Senate Minority Leader
	In office; 5 August 2010 – 9 March 2014
Monarch	Jason VI Augustus
Consul	Constantine Otacilius
Preceded by	Antonius Farsulei
Succeeded by	Theodosius Fulvio
Leader of the Conservative Party
	In office; 5 August 2010 – 18 February 2016
Preceded by	Antonius Farsuleius
Succeeded by	Alexander Pompilius
Aedile; First Magistrate
	In office; 15 January 1996 – 12 March 1998
Monarch	Diana Augusta; Jason VI Augustus;
Consul	Justin Seius
Preceded by	Konstantinos Goulas
Succeeded by	Thomas Pacurarus
Leader	In office; 17 June 2006 – 5 August 2010
Spokesperson positions
Conservative Party Spokesperson for Justice
	In office; 17 June 2006 – 5 August 2010
Leader	Antonius Farsulei
Preceded by	Marcus Domitius
Succeeded by	Florian Aebutius
Conservative Party Spokesperson for the Treasury
	In office; 22 October 2002 – 17 June 2006
Leader	Felix Caeparius
Preceded by	George Egnatius
Succeeded by	Diana Balventia
Senator
	In office; 1 January 1991 – 18 February 2016
Personal details
Born	Maria Tarpeia Anicia Iuliana Antonia; 12 December 1965; Velia, Castellum , Latium
Died	6 December 2016 (aged 50); Castellum, Latium
Nationality	Latin
Political party	Conservative
Spouse(s)	Christopher Ulpius, 19th Duke of Vindobona; (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, Dowager Duchess of Vindobona, CI IA EE OSI CSM EOV (Maria Tarpeia Anicia Iuliana Antonia; 12 December 1965 – 6 December 2016), commonly known as Countess of Rutupiae, or Maria Rutupaie, throughout her political career, 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 Conservative Party from August 2010 until February 2016. A distinguished legal mind, she previously served as an active member while continuing to hold a place on the Emperor's Council. She also holds the distinction of being a member of the Emperor's Counsel (IC), 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, as well as the first peer or heir to a peerage to become Consul since 1948, following the 2014 general election. It was the first time in over a decade that the Conservatives held control of the government. The 2014 snap elections were called following a financial crisis, Tarpeia immediately passing legislation to focus on balancing the budget. Her consulship was noted for a heavy shift to the right, with an attempt to create the office of Magistrate for Morality and National Unity. Her most notable and perhaps controversial legislative acts passed were the Morality Acts of 2014 and 2015.

Tarpeia resigned from the Consulship after serving for nearly two and a half years, after being diagnosed with breast cancer. 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 during the exchange of the city.

Early Life and education

Maria Tarpeia was born at the Velia House, in Velia, Castellum ab Alba, the eldest child of Constantine Tarpeius, 2nd Duke of Haenna and Princess Imperial Zoe on 12 December 1965 at the Palace of Augustus in Castellum. Her parents initially met in Utica where they were kept for the duration of the Social War. Tarpeia was the second oldest of four children, Fausta, 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 in the unitary authority 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 of Olympia Military Academy where her cousin Jason 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 headquarter's office in Castellum and later Castellum.

Political career

Beginnings

Tarpeia announced her intentions to challenge the incumbent, Lucius Bassus, also a member of the Conservative. In the primary election, Bassius received 49.2% of the vote and Tarpeia won 50.2%. Bassius immediately called for a recount, which determined that Vindobona had actually gained 51% of the votes and earned the chance to sit for the Orestias constituency. Bassius chose to challenger her in the general election as a member of National Democrats. On election day, Tarpeia received 58% of the vote and defeated the Liberal candidate, Thomas Pangratiu at 37% and Bassius earning 3%. The 1991 general election saw the Conservatives gaining over 100 seats, forming a coalition with the National Unionist Party.

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."

Cabinet ministry

in 1996, Tarpeia was appointed to the cabinet position to serve as Aedile. As Aedile, she worked closely with the Attorney General, and developed the nations overall strategy on criminal justice, penal policy and rehabilitation. The Group of Ten affair brought an end to her first ministry, which saw the Conservative government collapse after the resignation of implicated members of the leadership.

Emperor's Council appointment

After the collapse of the Seius consulship, Tarpeia was appointed #Great Officers of State|Lord President and Lord High Chancellor of the Emperor's Council by Emperor Jason VI Augustus, replacing his brother-in-law, Florentine Verruscosi, Lord Verruscosi of Gerasa. Tarpeia became the first woman to serve as Lord President or Lord High Chancellor. She resigned from both offices in February 2000 in protest of Emperor Jason VI Augustus's divorce and subsequent remarriage to 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 Farsulei 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 to the government of Consul Constantine Otacilius over the growing concerns regarding the national budget and runaway spending. In her first and only shadow cabinet, she created the office of Conservative Party Spokesperson for Morality and National Unity as a response to discussions of the Otacilius government considering a secularization bill.

2014 election victory

In 2014, a budget crisis resulted in Emperor Jason VI Augustus calling for a snap 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 unnecessary 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 d'Ulpia after her resignation, and remained there until November.

Personal Life

Family

Tarpeia has been multilingual since early childhood speaking Latin, Byzantic and Anglic 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 both her father and mother.

Marriage

Tarpeia was married to Christopher Ulpius, 19th Duke of Vindobona, whom she married in June 1988. Christopher was the eldest son of John, 18th Duke of Vindobona, and held the title of Marchis Volaterrae at the time of their marriage. 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 Duchy of Haenna

As the second eldest child of Constantine Tarpeius, 2nd Duke of Haenna, Tarpeia was not originally in line to inherit her father's duchy until her sister, Fausta married then Crown Prince Charles 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 Duchy of Haenna.

In June 2016, Tarpeia's father, Constantine Tarpeius, 2nd Duke of Haenna passed away, leaving her as heir to his estate, lands and titles. On 27 June of the same year, she disclaimed herself, allowing the titles to pass to her eldest son Justin, whom also disclaimed himself. The titles finally passed to her second son, George, who became the 3rd Duke of Haenna on 28 June 2016. On 18 July 2016, her husband Christopher was murdered, leaving his titles to their oldest son, Justin.

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.

Death

Styles, Titles and Arms

As a descendant of Constantine XIX, through her mother, Princess Zoe, Tarpeia is afforded the titles and honors that a member of the Imperial Household are afforded. 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 most often referred to as "Countess Rutupiae", though was regularly referred to as Duchess of Vindobona. She opted to disclaim herself of any of her father's titles following his death, allowing them to pass to her second born son, George. Prior to her disclaimer, Tarpeia was heir to her father's titles as Duke of Haenna, which afforded her the courtesy title of The Countess Rutupiae. Following the death of her husband in mid-July 2016, earned the courtesy title of The Dowager Duchess of Vindobona, which she held under her own death in December of the same year.

Styles

12 December 1965 – 22 August 1985: Lady Maria Tarepia
22 August 1985 – 15 June 1988: Countess of Rutupiae
15 June 1988 – 9 August 1988: Countess of Rutupiae and Marchioness of Volaterrae
9 August 1988 – 27 June 2016: Her Grace Countess Rutupiae and Duchess of Vindobona
27 June 2016 – 19 July 2016: Her Grace The Duchess of Vindóbona
19 July 2016 – 6 December 2016: Her Grace The Dowager Duchess of Vindóbona

Honors

Latium: Knight of the Order of the Ram
Latium: Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the Empire
Latium: Dame of the Ancient Equestrian Order
Latium: Dame of the Most Noble Order of St. Maria

Foreign honors

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

Issue

Name	Birth	Death	Spouse(s)
By Christopher Ulpius, 19th Duke of Vindobona (b. 1962)
Theodora Ulpia	(1989-08-09) 9 August 1989 (age 35)		Married Prince Andrik of Draakurr.
Justin Ulpius, 20th Duke of Vindobona	(1992-05-01) 1 May 1992 (age 32)		Married Filippa of Messenia
George Ulpius-Tarpeius, 3rd Duke of Haenna	22 November 1994	3 December 2016(2016-12-03) (aged 22)	Never married; had no issue.
Adrian Ulpius-Tarpeius, 4th Duke of Haenna	(1996-08-30) 30 August 1996 (age 28)
Helena Ulpia	(1999-01-04) 4 January 1999 (age 25)

Ancestry

Ancestors of Maria Tarpeia

16. Constantine Tarpeius, Count of Rutupiae

8. Theodosius Tarpeius, Count of Rutupiae

17. Valeria Sulpicia

4. Michael Tarpeius, Duke of Haenna

18. Constantine Poppaeus, Viscount of Turonum

9. Maria Poppaea

19. Alaina Rouanti

2. Constantine Tarpeius, Duke of Haenna

20. Thomas Vitruvius, Count of Antium

10. George Vitruvius, Count of Antium

21. Euphemia Claudia

5. Pericleia Vitruvia

22. Marcus Claudius-Eppius, Lord of Nola

11. Christina Claudia-Eppia

23. Agnes Poppaea

1. Maria Tarpeia, Duchess of Vindobona

24. Michael Anicius, Duke of Beroea

12. John Anicius, Duke of Beroea

25. Syagria Julia

6. Constantine XIX of Latium

26. John XIII of Latium

13. Joanna of Latium

27. Princess Alexandra of Ghant

3. Princess Zoe of Latium

28. Prince Victor of Ghant

14. Prince Henri, Duke of Épernon

29. Catherine I of Lyncanestria

7. Princess Marie Christine of Épernon

30. Yuri I of Nekulturnya

15. Tsarevna Afanasiia of Nekulturnya

31. Natalya Vladimirovna

v t e Consuls of Latium (list)
Beroea Capena Olisipo Adrianople Lugdunum Philppi Caesena Florentia Tullius Laetorius Guillous Capua Abronius Faesulae Genucius Cotta Laenius Cotta Arrius Adrianople Espo Istropolis Lutatius Istropolis Appuleius Poppaeus Duronius Seius Ardea Tanetus Capena Otacilius Tarpeia Pompilius
Pre-reform consuls	628 BC–1 BC 1 AD–999 1000–1866 Reforms

Maria Tarpeia

Contents

Early Life and education

Legal Career