Imperial Court (Latium)
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Imperial Court (Latin: Aula imperialis), formally referred to as the Court of Augustus (Aula Augusti), or more informally as the Government of Latium, is a collective of agencies, individuals, and offices that serve as the government of Latium. At the head of the central government is the Emperor, and below him are numerous Court officials to support the administration of the executive through the complex and extensive bureaucracy. Along with being the primary administrative apparatus of the Emperor, court also consists of the Imperial household and its own administrative offices to support the Emperor and the Imperial Family.
Court is a broad term that may also refer to any other individuals that attend to the Monarch and his or her family, retinue, nobility, individuals with court appointments or informal advisors, and may also include emissaries from other nations or visitors simply to the court. Historically, court has hosted exiled members of deposed governments. Over the nearly two thousand year history of the empire's existence, many changes have taken place and titles and offices have been adopted or discarded.
The Sacred Assembly and Collegium Primicerium comprise the main executive organ of the government, presided over by the Emperor.
History
The court system of government was first established by Emperor Iovinus in the 4th century AD, instituting a variety of civil and military titles, whereby noble rank was afforded based on membership in the Senate. By the 6th century and due to the loss of territory, a new court system was introduced and began to oversea the ancient and elaborate administration. This period saw the introduction of the new title comes (companion of the emperor), which was a prestigious rank afforded to offices within court. This rank was most notably associated with members of the newly established Sacred Assembly, which became the Emperor's chief means of governing.
This period saw the rise of a new aristocracy, though continued to incorporate many of the Gentes Minores families, such as the Bodii, Pola, Stilicho, Symmachi and Vitruvii families. As time passed, new titles displaced older titles, or older titles would absorb the duties of another, including the Master of Offices. Originally the civil nobility and military hierarchy were distinguished, though both came to consist of intertwined groups. Unlike some Belisarian states, the nobility typically had no military forces of their own, however they often owned extensive land holdings.
Composition
The Emperor is the leader of the central imperial government, and is the individual from which all civil and military authority originates. Court, with support of administrative officials, or Comes, is the means in which the Emperor is supported in government.
At its core, court consists of the central government, of which the primary executive bodies are collectively referred to as the Emperor’s Council, or Consilium Principis. The primary components are the Sacred Assembly and Collegium Primicerium, which are comprised of ministers and formal advisors to the emperor. The Sacred Assembly is the oldest and highest ranking council, with its membership providing the rank of Counts First Class. By convention, the Collegium Primicerium affords its members the rank of Counts Second Class, though its composition is of Counts Third Class.
Executive councils
The executive councils are the main means through which the emperor governs, and consists of high-ranking state officials that compose the leaders of the central imperial government. The various councils play a key role in the passage, enactment, and enforcement of legislative acts and imperial edicts, though vary on the scale of national to local level.
Sacred Assembly
The Sacred Assembly is the highest political council in Latium, and generally serves as the council where administrative and political matters, along with court practices are debated and enacted. The Assembly consists of the most limited membership, typically those most trusted by the emperor. Matters of debate are typically of the highest state importance, such as declarations of war, treaties, etc. In rare instances, the Sacred Assembly can serve as the ultimate court of last resort. The Sacred Assembly is the council which sees the most imperial involvement, though is led by the Master of Offices in the Emperor's absence.
Traditionally there are six Vir illustris (literally, illustrious men) offices or great officers of state, with the offices of Master of the Seal and Lord Admiral as later additions in the 11th century. The highest ranking Great Officer of State is the Master of Offices (Magister Officorum), or Imperial Chancellor. The Master of Offices is typically the Monarch's most trusted advisor and directs the civil service. The other vir illustrus officers are the Master of Soldiers (Magister Militum), Quastor of the Palace (Quaestor sacri palatii), Count of the Sacred Chamber or Imperial Chamberlain (Comes sacri cubiculi), and the two treasury offices of Count of the Sacred Largesses and Count of the Private Fortune. Other offices are ad hoc members of the assembly, and the Emperor is free to appoint any other individuals to the assembly.
The Sacred Assembly meets weekly, but more meetings are convened at the Emperor's discretion. Meetings are held in the XXXX room of Palatium Augusti, in Palatine, Castellum ab Alba.
Collegium Primicerium
The Collegium Primicerium consists of magistrates that are responsible for day-to-day administration of Imperial government agencies. Akin to a cabinet, magistrates primary roles is to advise the Monarch, who obtains their opinions and advice on a wide range of decisions. While its role is advisory and administrative and not to collectively decide government direction, the council is quasi-parliamentary as all appointees to the magisterial roles are Counts Fourth Class, or Senators. Magistrates are appointed by the Monarch and serve at his pleasure. According to constitutional convention, most often from the leading faction of the senate but this is not always the case as the emperor can appoint individuals to the Senate and subsequently to the Collegium Primicerium. All members of the Sacred Assembly are Collegium Primicerium.
Due to magistrates role as Senators, they are a primary liaison and lead government initiatives in preparation of legislation. Most legislation originates from the Collegium Primicerium.
Trigintiviral Court
The Trigintiviral Court serves a key judicial function in Latium, and operates as the de facto court of last resort. The Trigintiviral Court holds limited jurisdiction over legislation and no jurisdiction over executive orders or edicts. While ordinary courts hold primary jurisdiction over criminal and civil matters, the Trigintiviral Court holds original jurisdiction over matters arising out of probate, patent or trademark, and the regulation of nobility, titles, and arms. It has delegated many of these original jurisdiction roles to newly created extraordinary courts, but retains the right of original jurisdiction.
It is responsible for regulating the legal profession in Latium.
College of Vicars
The College of Vicars is composed of the 13 vicars the oversee local governments within their respective diocese, along with 5 vicars or counts that directly administer overseas dioceses and Caesarian provinces, including Lampeda, Perateia, Sasora, Scipia Periclea, and Silurum. This college primarily deals with allocation of resources among local governments within each respective diocese and implementation of imperial directives at local levels. The College of Vicars is one of the primary venues for local governments or provincial presidents to directly petition the emperor.
Treasury Board
The Treasury Board is the committee which oversees the budget and spending of the imperial government. The committee is supported by the Aerarium (lit. treasure house), which is the national treasury of Latium. The committee's membership is composed of the Count of the Sacred Largesses, the Count of the Private Fortune, along with subordinate ministers within both the Aerarium and the Private Purse.
Administrative officers
Master of Offices
The Master of Offices, also known as Imperial Chancellor, or less frequently Master of Divine Offices, is a de-facto co-head of government. The Master of Offices is appointed by and solely responsible to the Emperor, and oversees court and directs the bureaucracy. The office is considered one of the most influential roles in the government and court. He is primarily charged with leading the Imperial Office, as well as holding a supervisory role over all other imperial bureaus; however, he may not direct other bureaus, except for those within his mandate. Within the office's mandate are a number of independent bureaus, including the Scholarian Guard and Public Post. In addition, the Master of Offices often serves as the Emperor's chief advisor and plays an integral role in the drafting, enactment, and enforce-ability of legislation. His chief deputy is the Count of Correspondence. Florian Claudius has served as Master of Offices since 7 April 2019.
Master of Soldiers
The Master of Soldiers, officially the Master of Soldiers in the presence of the Emperor (Latin: Magister Militum in praesenti) is the leader and chief administrator War Bureau, and roughly corresponds to the equivalent of a minister of defense. The Master of Soldiers' position of authority and command over the military is second only to the Emperor, while also serving as a key military advisor. Most often the Master of Soldiers is a commissioned officer from one of the branches of the military, not including the Praetorian Guard. In rare instances, the Master of Soldiers is able to directly command forces in the field; however, this has not occurred since the early 19th century. The incumbent is Flavius Vipsanius, who has served since 21 September 2016.
Grand Quaestor
The Grand Quaestor, officially the Quaestor of the Sacred Palace (Quaestor sacri palatii), is the chief judicial and administrative officer of the Trigintiviral Court, and responsible for the administration of justice throughout Latium. Historically, the Grand Quaestor was the senior legal officer, responsible for drafting laws, handling legal petitions to the emperor and presiding over trials on the emperor's behalf, in essence a combination of a chief judge and modern attorney general. Since the 16th century, the office gradually shed its capacity as legal advisor in most instances and assumed the role of chief judicial officer. Today, the Grand Quaestor sits on the Trigintiviral Court and is the chief judge of its three divisions. The office plays a significant role and wields significant influence over what cases the Trigintiviral Court takes up on appeal and leads discussion on cases in which is he presiding. Since 27 February 2016, the current Grand Quaestor is Sergius Acilius.
Count of Petitions
The Count of Petitions is the chief legal advisor to the emperor and oversees the Legal Bureau. The office is most similar to an attorney general and minister of justice in other jurisdictions, and is responsible for providing legal advice to the emperor, government, overseeing state prosecutions, and prisons, and general legal affairs in Latium. The office also formally handles all legal petitions to emperor, though in practice these are redirected from the Legal Bureau to the Count of Correspondence within the Imperial Office. While not a qualification of office, the Count of Petitions is a licensed attorney and holds the distinction of Emperor's Counsel. The incumbent holder is Michael Pinarius, who was appointed on 27 February 2017.
Count of the Sacred Largesses
The Count of the Sacred Largesses (Comes sacrarum largitionum) is the magistrate responsible for economic and financial matters, and is equivalent to a minister of finance in other jurisdictions. The office holds considerable power over other bureaus, by virtue of its position as leader of the Treasury House (Aerarium; lit. treasure house), and plays a key role in crafting the government budget. The Count of the Sacred Largesses works with the Count of the Private Fortune and the Treasury Board to set monetary policy through the Bank of Latium. The Count is supported by at least three to five political appointees and permanent staff of bureaucrats from within the Treasury House. Diana Lupeia has served as Count of the Sacred Largesses since 1 March 2016 and is the first woman to officially hold the office.
Palace officers
Count of the Sacred Chamber
The Count of the Sacred Chamber (Comes sacri cubiculi) serves as the imperial chamberlain, and manages the daily operations of the imperial palace and imperial household. He is responsible for managing the cubicularii (imperial attendants and support, including the Empress's staff), bedchamber, wardrobe, and receptions, which include scheduling and arranging foreign visits. His chief deputy is the Senior Cubicularius, who is among the emperor's chief attendants and serves in a similar capacity to a political chief of staff or aide-de-camp. The office is currently vacant, though Frederick, Duke of Rahdenburg has served in the role in an interim capacity since 22 December 2020.
Count of the Private Fortune
The Count of the Private Fortune (Comes rerum privatarum) is primarily responsible for the emperor's personal estate, finances and imperial purse, the latter which differs from the imperial treasury. The Count's office is smaller than that of its government counterpart, the Count of the Sacred Largesses, and is charged with the collection of rent from imperial properties, sales of property; though he does not administer public lands. The role maintains a minor judicial function in probate matters, particularly in intestacy whereby vacant lands and heir-less property is assumed by the emperor's personal estate. Together with the Count of the Sacred Largesses, the Count of the Private Fortune is a leader of the Treasury Board and maintains a role in the setting of economic and finance policy. Romana Atella was appointed as the first female Count of the Private Fortune, on 16 January 2017.
Cubicularii
The Cubicularii are personal attendants to the emperor or the empress. Cubicularii nominally fall under the command of the Count of the Sacred Bedchamber, and are subordinate to the Senior Cubicularius or the Mistress of Robes, and are historically some of the most influential individuals at court. Cubicularii are primarily responsible for attending to the emperor and empress, accompanying on foreign visits, official engagements, and assisting in day-to-day activities.
Praetorian Prefect
The role of Praetorian Prefect is chiefly the commander of the Praetorian Guard and is responsible for the safety and security of the emperor and the Latin Imperial Family. Historically, the role has grown and waned in prominence, reaching its peak authority as a civil administrator of multiple provinces. The Prefect is a great state office, and oversees the administration of the Praetorian Guard, and the Urban Prefects. However, the Urban Prefects are appointed by the emperor. Along with its role in protecting the emperor, the Prefect is the commander of the 6th Legion (Legio VI Claudia Pia Fidelis). The Praetorian Prefect serves at the pleasure of the emperor; the current Praetorian Prefect is Isidorus Vitruvius.
Imperial household
Along with providing the means of government, court also includes the royal household, which itself provides for the needs to the emperor, the empress, and the imperial family. Historically, this also included the many courtiers that were not directly employed in the household, though has evolved into an executive office, and administrative support staff for the members of the royal family. Generally, key members of the imperial family have their own households to support their well-being and duties. The Count of Arrangement leads the main imperial household, and is supported by deputies, such as the Domestic Counts (comes domesticorum), who are appointed to lead subordinate households for other members of the imperial family.
Court of Augusta
The Court of Augusta (Aula Augustae) is court of the empress. At times the Court of Augusta is referred to as a separate court itself, or a court within in the imperial court. However, overall, the Court of Augusta is the court or body of administrators, household staff, courtiers, and retinue of the Latin Empress.
Some individuals of the court are appointed by the Emperor, due to administrative ease, such as the Praetorian Legate. However, the Empress is responsible for the appointment of most officers, chief of which is the Mistress of Robes (Patricia cinguli; lit. girded lady patrician). The Mistress of Robes is the chief attendant to the empress, and administers court on her behalf. She also plays a major role in the empress's coronation, birth of her children, handling her dress, and scheduling and regulating her audiences. Beneath the Mistress of Robes are the Ladies of the Chamber (Patricia camerae), which are the individuals that accompany the empress at state visits and official state functions, domestic and abroad. The Ladies of the Chamber swear personal oaths of loyalty to the Emperor. Like the Mistress of Robes, all Ladies of the Chamber swear an oath of loyalty to the Emperor and may be commanded by him.
Etiquette
Official court events or functions, as well as informal encounters are governed by a highly formalized etiquette. Most often court etiquette involves interactions with the emperor, empress, members of the imperial family, and key court officers.
Dress code
The Emperor meets with dignitaries, ambassadors, petitioners, and other high ranking meetings in the throne room, from his throne. In certain instances, the Empress’s presence is required, most often for official state functions. The Emperor often wears, at a minimum, a golden laurel crown for these events with a formal suit. The more important the meeting or event, the more elaborate the Emperor’s dress, which may include military uniform, and imperial purple paludamentum trimmed in gold or more elaborate embroidery clasped above his right shoulder, ceremonial ancestral sword.
In a formal meeting with the Emperor or Empress, individuals are required to adhere to a strict dress code. This may include, but is not limited to:
- Formal dress attire from one’s home nation if not Latin;
- Senators, and Latin office holders are to wear the badge of their office, or paludamentum that includes the mark of their rank or office;
- Females must dress in formal clothing, with the knees, upper arms, back, and decollete covered, matching closed-toed shoes with low or moderate heels, and a veil;
- Females may wear a traditional stola.
- Avoid purple dress in the Latin fashion (ie; not in a manner substantially similar to that of the Emperor), unless granted special dispensation by the Emperor in advance. Most dispensations are granted only to "Friends of the Emperor".
Meeting the Emperor or Empress
Current practice dictates that the Emperor is addressed as Augustus, or Your Imperial Majesty, at the first instance of address. If Your Imperial Majesty is used at the instance of first address, it is then proper to refer to the Emperor as Caesar thereafter, or more rarely as Augustus – depending on the Monarch’s personal preference. The Empress shall be addressed as Your Imperial Majesty, or Most Pious Augusta, at the instance of first address, and thereafter as Augusta or Caesarissa, depending on her personal preference.
If the Emperor or Empress is standing, individuals are not permitted to remain seated, and must stand (ie, if the Emperor stands, you must stand). Senators, nobles, or citizens are required to first kneel before the Emperor. Those with the honor of “friends of the Emperor” (ie; any high ranking Latin with ties to the Emperor, even if not family), are permitted to deeply bow at the Emperor’s insistence. While it is preferred that all individuals kneel before the Emperor, foreigners, most often foreign dignitaries, are simply expected the bow deeply at the emperor. In addition, individuals meeting the emperor must:
- remain standing at all times, unless otherwise allowed to sit at the Emperor’s direction;
- bow deeply or, if female, curtsy to the emperor or empress – even in an informal meeting;
- not turn their backs to the Emperor or Empress.