Constantine XX Claudius
| Constantine XX Claudius | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Latin Emperor (more...) | |||||||||
| Reign | 28 February 2015 – present (alone from 3 November 2016) | ||||||||
| Acclamatio | 28 February 2015 | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Jason VI Claudius | ||||||||
| Heir apparent | Alexius, Prince of Youth | ||||||||
| Born | 15 September 1994 Heraion, Leonopolis, Diocese of the East | ||||||||
| Spouse | Alazne Dain (m. 2017) | ||||||||
| Issue | |||||||||
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| House | Claudius | ||||||||
| Father | Jason VI Claudius | ||||||||
| Mother | Zoe Verrucosa | ||||||||
| Religion | Imperial Church (Catholicism) | ||||||||
| Latin Imperial Family |
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Extended imperial family |
Constantine XX Claudius (Gaius Claudius Anicius Sabinus Constantinus Felix Iosephus; b. 15 September 1994) is the reigning Latin Emperor and 118th monarch of Latium. His reign began as junior emperor on 28 February 2015, and his reign as sole emperor on 3 November 2016. His coronation on 8 December 2017 was Latium's first televised coronation.
Constantine is the oldest child of Jason VI Claudius by his second wife Zoe Verrucosa. He was educated at Lyceum Sanctus Michaelis for his primary and secondary education, and obtained a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Academia Militaris Olympia. Following his graduation and commission as an officer in the armed forces, Constantine undertook a number of Imperial duties on behalf of his father, including acting as the presiding officer for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Ludi Circenses festival in summer 2016.
In 2017, Constantine married Ghantish noblewoman Alazne Dain with whom he has two children, Diana and Alexius.
Constantine was elevated to junior emperor on 28 February 2015, and held his court in Leonopolis, where he oversaw the administration and governance of Perateia. Constantine's reign as sole emperor began on 3 November 2016 after the unexpected death of his father. His coronation on 8 December 2017 was Latium's first televised coronation. His reign has seen various reforms take place in Latium, including Sasoran autonomy, and local government reforms.
Early Life and education
Constantine was born on 15 September 1994 at 11:19 pm in the Blue Room of Heraion, Leonopolis to then junior Emperor Jason VI Claudius and Zoe Verrucosa. He was the couples second child, and first son, and, upon his birth, was bestowed the honorific "Purpurogenitus" (Born in the Purple). Constantine was baptized on 13 October 1994 at Sancta Sapientia by Pope Ignatius I. His godparents were the then William, Prince of Gavera; Victoria of Ravenna; Silvia of Keld (a friend of his mother's); and Michael of Callatis. As the son of the junior emperor, Constantine was styled as "Prince Constantine of Youth".
Following his birth official announcement, a week of games and races were held at the Circus Albae and the Amphitheatrum Anicium in Castellum in celebration. His gender was first announced alongside his pregnancy announcement. This was a first for Latin imperial births and resulted in celebration and rampant speculation of his name. Many betting firms placing odds for his name, initially the highest odds indicated that Leo was a top choice for his name. However, that later gave way to most firms highest odds on his naming being either John or Constantine. His name was announced to the press nine days after his birth, with Imperial Offices stating he was named in memory of his great-grandfather Emperor Constantine XIX.
Education
Constantine began his education by attending Sanctus Michaelis in 1997, which he would attend throughout his primary education. After his father, Constantine is only the second Latin heir or ruler to attend formal schooling. He continued his education at Lyceum Sanctus Michaelis for secondary school, he scored grades A in history and math, with B's in sciences. He participated in polo throughout secondary school. Along with his secondary education, Constantine was privately tutored by Pankratios Anemas, who provided lessons on law and the constitution. Throughout secondary school, the Imperial Family and the tabloid press agreed that Constantine would be allowed to study free of paparazzi intrusion in exchange for regular updates of the Prince's life. This same agreement has been made for all of Jason VI Claudius' children for their secondary and university educations. He graduated from Sanctus Michaelis in 2011.
He opted not to take a gap year, which most considered unusual at the time, and he immediately enrolled at Academia Militaris Olympia. As a cadet at Olympia, Constantine studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics, though reportedly nearly dropped out of the program in favor of perusing studies in international relations. He reportedly struggled with the program initially, with some classmates claiming that his "[father] pushed him to stay in the PPE program. School files surrounding his change of academic focus have been unobtainable to the public. During his third year at Olympia, he took part in numerous military training exercises with enlisted members of Latin Armed Forces including the 11th Legion. He participated in intramural polo throughout his education at Olympia.
Prince of Youth
Constantine was appointed to the Emperor's Council at the age of 16, by his father Jason VI Claudius. This allowed Constantine to sit in on Council meetings, and enabled him to make visits on his father's behalf, the first of which was to Sydalon, where he visited the village Sarpeta for Christmas celebrations. The same year, Constantine was granted his own imperial household, which was staffed by at least five individuals during 2010, eventually growing to 20 by 2013. In 2014, Constantine's household organized a charity polo match, with all proceeds and donations to benefit Legionary Cause, a charity aimed at supporting widows and orphans of Latin veterans – the event has since been held annually.
Constantine also served as president or honorary leader of numerous Latin Imperial-sponsored events, including both Ludi Circenses and Transvectio Equitum. In 2014, Constantine was the officer of honor at the annual Transvectio Equitum at Academia Militaris Olympia, an event which he participated in during all three years of his education at Olympia. In 2016, he was the presiding officer of the opening and closing ceremonies, duties typical reserved for close relatives of the reigning Monarch.
As junior emperor
On 29 October 2014, it was announced that Constantine's household as Prince of Youth began preparations to oversee a transition to an imperial court, signifying the first phase in his preparation to being elevated to junior emperor. Between October and January, Constantine made a series of appointments to his court, such as X, Y, and Z. He took up residence at Heraion, in Leonopolis, in December 2014, when it was announced that he would be overseeing Perateia during the first five years of his reign.
Constantine was elevated to junior emperor on 28 February 2015, following his acclamation before the Senate that morning. In the afternoon, Constantine was anointed by Patriarch of Alba Faustus Otovos. An ascension ball was held on the night of his elevation, with guests from X, Y, and Z in attendance. Constantine's future wife, Alazne Dain, was his guest of honor. A week of celebration followed, featuring games and festivals normally reserved for a full scale coronation.
Infrastructure plans
One of Constantine's main priorities once he arrived in Leonopolis was to update the ailing infrastructure of the East. His first act was a major revitalization of the Rosaeum, the city's central forum and corresponding central square. Other infrastructure plans included the reconstruction of many dilapidated roads or highways, public transportation, telecommunications, and disaster relief due to historical earthquakes in the area. Many of these projects remained in progress as Constantine became sole emperor in 2016, though have since been completed.
Constantine's government also oversaw renovations of Church of St. Marina in an effort to modernize its fixtures. The renovations began in January 2016, and were completed in 2019, after Constantine became sole emperor. Constantine initiated the renovations with funds from his own incomes.
Individuals from within Constantine's court reported that plans were discussed to construct a canal which would bisect the Scipian side Perateia to alleviate maritime traffic of the Alcaean Straits. The project reportedly has reportedly been in early planning stages since the late 1990s, but was shelved due to the 2002 Lisena earthquake, and was once again temporarily shelved following Constantine's ascension as sole emperor.
Administration
Constantine sought to simplify governance of Perateia, and organized a Local Council, similar to that of the imperial council of the same name. However, this act saw varied responses due to the Local Council's ability to potentially circumvent the Assembly of the East.
Early reign
Assassination attempt
On 13 January 2017, Constantine was the target of an assassination attempt during the funeral procession forJason VI Claudius, along Via Sacra in Castellum.
At approximately 10:30 am, a lone gunman, Lanig Kou Sezneci, fired four shots at Constantine before he was himself killed. All four shots missed Constantine, as he was pushed from his horse by Nathan IV of Ghant as Sezneci began to fire. He only suffered injuries related to falling from his horse.
The Gelonian National Front quickly claimed responsibility for the attack, prompting a lockdown and curfew to be placed in effect for 5 boroughs of Castellum through the next night. Investigations into Sezneci would discover that he had left a suicide note in his Castellum hotel room.
Constantine made his first public appearance after the attempt the following morning on January 14.
Early initiatives
His first executive order was to abolished the Scholarian Guard, temporarily replacing it with the Praetorian Guard. The Scholarian Guard was reestablished in summer 2017. On 25 January 2017, Constantine called for new elections and formally dissolved the Senate.
Constantine announced plans as early as January for reforms focused on Propraetors. His plan called for "a more rapid response to both local and Imperial government needs." In February, Constantine issued an Imperial edict which provided Propraetors a more direct role in the county-level councils.
In September 2017, a local and regional government reform petition reached 500,000, resulting in Constantine ordering the Senate to explore and debate the measure. The petition, named Citizens for a better local government, was focused on calling for additional autonomy throughout Latium, particularly its overseas territories. Imperial offices announced that Constantine was "receptive" to the idea, and was "looking forward to seeing Senate proposals."
Two bills were brought forward, though only the second bill passed through committee on September 14, and later reached the Senate for vote on September 25. The vote passed, and Constantine signed the measure into law, and announced that referendums would be held in Sasora. The Sasoran measure failed to garner widespread support and was defeated. An act of the senate reached the floor for a vote on federalization of Latium, though Constantine indicated he would withhold assent and the measure subsequently was not brought to a vote.
In April 2018, Constantine signed a Senate act to upgrade parts of the energy grid, and promote investments in battery storage.
Coronation
Plans for Constantine's coronation were first discussed in early January. No proposed timelines was announced until mid-February when he announced that he did not want the "prospect of an election to overshadow or lessen [his] coronation" and Imperial Offices announced that more concrete information would be released following the 2017 State Opening of Senate in April. On 4 May 2017, it was announced that Constantine's coronation would be held on Friday, 8 December 2017, at Sancta Sapientia in Castellum. Empress Mother Zoe was named chairman of Coronation Commission three days later. His engagement to Alazne Dain took place immediately after his coronation.
Constantine's coronation was the first in Latin history to be televised, which saw a mixed response among Latins and the political elite. The entire coronation, with exception of communion and the anointing, was televised.
Courtships
As with most members of the Imperial family, Constantine's personal life has often been subject to great public interest and speculation. His first known relationship was with classmate and Latin noblewoman Sophia of Ossonoba. The pair reportedly dated on and off during secondary school according to classmates, and Sophia was said to visit Olympia frequently during Constantine's first term. However, neither has ever confirmed this relationship.
Constantine also had a brief relationships with Latin noblewoman Agnes Aemelia.
In 2015, Constantine briefly courted Elissa of Dakmoor, however the courtship ended quickly due to Elissa's lack of interest in becoming Latin Empress.
Marriage
In June 2015, Constantine began courting Lady Alazne Dain. They are second cousins through Jason Claudius, Duke of Adrianople, and first met in 1999 during a Latin visit to Dakar, Dakmoor. Imperial insiders and biographers claim that such an arrangement was highly favored by Constantine's father and Alazne's relatives in Dakmoor. It has been said that they often kept in contact, and exchanged letters regularly. His courtship of Alazne attracted intense attention by the press, whom referred to Alazne as the "future Purple Empress". By August 2016, the Imperial Household announced that a betrothal agreement for Constantine and Alazne was finalized. Constantine proposed in January 2017.
During their engagement, Alazne resided in Castellum, in her own personal apartment in Velia House. Despite residing at a different estate, Alazne was regularly at the Palace of Augustus, whether to spend time with Constantine or prepare to become Empress. Constantine and Alazne attended public events together, and she was on hand for state visits that occurred during this time.
Constantine married Lady Alazne Dain on 8 December 2017, at the Sancta Sapientia in Castellum. The ceremony was officiated by Archbishop of Adrianople Eutychianus Caesennius, and Patriarch of Alba Theodorus Afinius. Alazne was crowned Latin Empress in the wedding ceremony, and proclaimed Augusta by Constantine. The event was attended by guests from across the world, including reigning monarchs from all Belisarian states, Mutul, and other foreign nobility and representatives. The ceremony reportedly cost $22 million, most of which was paid for by the Imperial family, though security and transportation were covered by the state. A bank holiday was instituted for the wedding across Latium. Constantine and Alazne are said to have a close relationship.
Children
His wife's first pregnancy was announced on 26 March 2018. On 25 September 2018, Alazne went into labor, giving birth to their first child, Princess Diana, on 26 September 2018 in the early morning. The Empress's second pregnancy was announced on 20 May 2019. His first son, Alexius, was born on 12 December 2019.
Public perception and character
Constantine rarely participated in interviews prior to his reign as emperor and in the few he had taken part in he was careful not to address his personal political leanings or feelings. However, classmates of Constantine's have occasionally spoken of him having a more traditionalist view on the Monarchy in Latin society. At Olympia as then Prince of Youth, Constantine was invited on more than one occasion to become to president of the school's Conservative Student Union and Young Progressive's – both being the student arms of Latium's largest senatorial factions. He refused to participate as leader of either organization, though did agree to occasionally sit in on meetings for both organizations.
Constantine is a practicing Catholic in the Imperial Church, though occasionally attends Reformed services due to his mother's adherence to the latter.
Titles, styles, honors and arms
| Styles of The Emperor | |
|---|---|
| Reference style | His Imperial Majesty |
| Spoken style | Your Imperial Majesty |
| Alternative style | Caesar |
- 15 September 1994 – 20 May 1997: His Highness Prince Constantine of Youth
- 20 May 1997 – 3 November 2016: His Imperial Highness The Prince of Youth
- 20 May 1997 – 3 November 2016: His Imperial Highness The Duke of Galata and Velia
- 3 November 2016 – present: His Imperial Majesty The Emperor
Constantine's full title and style since becoming Sovereign is: His Imperial Majesty Constantine Claudius, the Most Pious and Blessed, Serene and Noble, Unconquered and Universal, Latin Emperor, Apostolic King of Castellum, and Alba, Father of the Fatherland, First Citizen of Senate, He Who Commands the Tides of Our Sea, Ruler faithful in Christ, and Sword of Christ.
Foreign decorations
Lyncanestria: Grand Cross (formerly Officer) of the Order of the Imperial Lion <imgur w="50">RdM1gc8.png</imgur> 12 January 2017
Mysia: Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Star and Crescent 
Sydalon: Knight of the Order of the Holy Lance 
19 April 2015
Vannois: Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the Dodo File:MostHolyDodoOrder.png 1 January 2017
Dynastic orders
House of Rahdenburg: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Rahdenburg 
House of Hazarasp: Knight of the Order of the Senmurv 
House of Philes: Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the Golden Lion 
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Arms
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(1997–2016) |
(2016–present) |
Issue
| Name | Birth | Death | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| By Alazne Dain | |||
| Princess Diana of Latium | 26 September 2018 | ||
| Alexius, Prince of Youth | 12 December 2019 | ||
Ancestry
| Ancestors of Constantine XX Claudius | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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See also
Constantine XX Claudius Born: 15 September 1994
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| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jason VI Claudius |
Latin Emperor 2016–present |
Incumbent Heir apparent: Alexius, Prince of Youth |
| Latin royalty | ||
| Preceded by The Prince Jason later became Emperor Jason VI |
Prince of Youth 1997–2016 |
Succeeded by The Princess Diana |
| Duke of Galata Duke of Velia 1997–2016 | ||