Monarchy of Perateia
| Emperor and Autocrat of the East | |
|---|---|
| βασιλεὺς καὶ αὐτοκράτωρ πάσης Ἀνατολῆς | |
Imperial | |
 | |
| Incumbent | |
 | |
| Diana I Anicia since 16 January 1964 | |
| Co-incumbent | |
 | |
| Jacobus I Claudius since 29 July 1993 (junior emperor until 1 January 2000) | |
| Details | |
| Style | His Imperial Majesty |
| Heir apparent | Alexius, Prince of Youth |
| First monarch | Leo III Iovanius (de facto) Gaius Caesar (claimed) |
| Formation | 485 CE |
| Residence | Heraion |
| Appointer | Non-specified, de facto hereditary |
The Perateian emperor, formally known as Emperor and Autocrat of all the East, is the autocratic head of state of Perateia. The reign of Leo III Iovanius in 485 CE is considered the conventional starting date of Perateia and its distinct imperial line seperate from the Latin emperors. Perateian monarchs consider themselves to be the sole, direct legal continuation of the Latin Empire, though this claim has not been actively asserted since 1950,
Perateia currently has two senior co-monarchs, Diana I Anicia and her eldest son Jacobus I Claudius, who have reigned since 1964 and 1993 respectively. Constantine XII Claudius was acclaimed to the Senate as junior emperor on 28 February 2015, and has held his court in Leonople where he undertakes functions as the primary monarch in Perateia.
History
The Monarchy of Perateia was first established in 485 with the acclimation of Leo III Iovanius as Emperor based out of Perateia. Originally claiming the mantle and title of Latin Emperor, the Perateian monarchy claims its origins with the reign of Gaius Caesar. However, 485 CE is the most widely accepted start date of the Perateian monarchy when Latin prince Leo Iovanius was proclaimed Emperor in Leonopolis. The split resulted in the Perateian emperor in Leonopolis assuming control of large swaths of eastern Latin territory.
While Latin in origin from its start, the Perateian monarchy and state centered on Leonople became more oriented towards the local Helianic language and customs, though maintaining Latin state structures of court and government. It wasn't until 1850 that the Perateian emperors ceased to claim its status as the continuation of the Latin Empire. However, the state, and by extension the monarchy and its people, continue to refer to Perateia as Arbana (ie Alba).
Role in government
The emperor rules as an absolute monarch, serving as the commander-in-chief of the military, head of the church, and head of government. He controls state finances, and appoints and dismisses state officers. In practice, however, many of these duties are delegated to a number of trusted ministers who compose the Synedrion. The Synedrion is the chief body through which the emperor rules and handles matters of state importance, such as foreign affairs, domestic policy, and so on.
The emperor must afford the Senate the right to consultation, but is chiefly an advisory body.
As head of the church, the emperor is afforded the power to appoint and remove key church officials. This chiefly includes the Ecumenical Patriarch. Since 1964, this power of appointment over church officials is typically delegated to the Ecumenical Synod, pending imperial approval.
Since 1964, the Perateian emperor is concurrently the Latin emperor. Imperial duties are carried out by the Mesazon in the emperor's absence.
Succession
Succession to the Perateian throne is de jure unspecified, with the requirement of Senate acclimation in order to ascend to the throne. In practice, succession is largely hereditary due to the regular practice of an emperor raising his eldest son as junior emperor. In the modern era since the personal union with Latium, the junior emperor reigns from Leonople. Historically, the system of succession was far less stable, and, while succession often followed inheritance from a relative, most often a parent-child, the use of the military or political maneuverings in the capital against a weaker emperor could result in a challenge against a weaker emperor. The most recent instance of this was the succession of Constantine XI Byzennios, following the overthrow of Demitrios I Samaras, in 1989. However, in this instance, Constantine XI was the second cousin and therefore a relative of Demitrios.
By custom, this has led to a system of de facto primogeniture succession, where the living eldest son inherits the throne and is acclaimed by the Senate. If the eldest son predeceases the emperor, the eldest son of the heir apparent assumes the role of heir, and so on. While the role of women in political life remains a controversial topic in modern Perateia, women are not barred from succession. Should an emperor lack male heirs, his eldest daughter may inherit the throne. In situations whereby a female is heir, the emperor will raise her and, or, her husband to that of junior emperor to ensure her eventual succession.
Titles and style
The title of all emperors from 485 and the reign of Leo III saw the official title of the emperor as "Augustus" and the names Imperator Caesar attached to each emperor. This practice continued until the reign of Michael II in 757, which saw the introduction of the title of Basileus (Gr. Βασιλεύς) with Augustus being reduced to a minor title. The addition of Autokrator soon followed, with the Emperor's title being that of Emperor and Autocrat of the [people name]. In the Latin west, this was commonly referred to as King or Emperor of the Perateians, or Emperor of the East.
From the 9th century until the 19th century, the title of the [Emperor's name] in Christ, Emperor and Autocrat of the [people name]. The long form title was [Emperor name] in Christ, Emperor and Autocrat of the [people name], and of all the East, Porphyrogennetos, First Venerable One, Bridger of Seas, Master of the Periclean and of the Ozeros, Sovereign Ruler and Lord of the Scipian Provinces and the lands in between, Protector and Defender of the Faith.
The common title since 1850 is Emperor and Autocrat of the East.
Title of the heir apparent
There is no single title designated to the heir apparent, such as "crown prince" as in other monarchies. Instead, the title of the heir apparent often varies from emperor to emperor, or dynasty to dynasty. Despite the varied nature of the heir's title, there are many consistencies. First among these is the title of Despot, though with the loss of much of the imperial heartland in what is now Vardana, any territorial despotate remains the variable. Second is the title of Protosebastokrator, or First Venerable One.
Another title, Porphyrogennetos, is granted to the heir apparent, and all children of the emperor, if born during their father's reign. The current heir apparent, Alexius, was granted the this title at birth as he was born during the second year of his father' reign. Other titles and honorifics are granted to the heir apparent at the discretion of the emperor.
Residences
Hieron Palation is the official residence of the monarch and the chief imperial residence in Perateia.
Magnaura is a secondary residence of the emperor and imperial family, located in Leonople along the Perseid Strait.
Kainourgion is a key Perateian imperial fortress located outside of Leonopolis.
Botaneiation is an imperial residence located outside of Leonopolis.
TBD is an imperial residence located outside of Tyantis.
