Imperator
From AuroraWiki
The Imperator is the highest executive office of the Etrurian state. The official title is Imperator, Princeps, and Pontifex of Etruria. The Imperator is assisted by three officers, called the Princepates.
The current Imperator is Tiberius Rex Augusti.
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Roles and Responsibilities
The Imperator commands Etrurian meritocracy and holds the keys to power as Princeps Senatus and Pontifex Patria.
Leader of the Military
Imperator, meaning "he who commands" in Etrurian, is the primary role of the Imperator as commander in chief of the Etrurian military machine. All Etrurian soldiers, sailors, and aviators swear allegience to the Imperator above all others. As such, the Imperator is the unifiying symbol of the disparate military and para-military organizations of Etruria.
Leader of the Senate
As Princeps Senatus, meaning "he who is first among senators", the Imperator leads the aristocratic Senate and the Princepate. By setting the agenda of the government and holding veto power over the Senate, the Princep wields ultimate power over the policies of the Etrurian State.
Leader of the Ecclesia
Pontifex means "he who makes the path" or "he who builds the bridges" in Etrurian and as Pontifex Patria the Imperator is the chief priest of the Etrurian national cult, or Ecclesia. In this role, the Imperator is granted a demi-god status.
Selection and Term
Each new Imperator is chosen from among the 100 members of the Senate by its 30 eldest members, known as the Gerousia. By tradition, the Lord Marshal is the prefered successor. According to tradition, the Gerousia must meet in conclave within ten days of the Imperators vacancy by either death or abdication, and that they must remain in seclusion until an Imperator has been elected. Voting is done by acclamation and a two thirds majority is required to elect a new Imperator.
The remaining 69 members must wait in silent vigil while the Gerousia are in conclave. White smoke signifies the election of a new Imperator. The doors of the chambers are opened and the most senior member of the Gerousia, known as the Gerontes, taps the shoulder of the newly elected Imperator. First the Gerontes asks, "Do you freely accept your election?" If he replies with the word "Accepto", his reign as Imperator begins at that instant, not at the inauguration ceremony several days afterward. In the past, the Gerontes would finally ask, "By what name shall you be called?" The new Imperator then announces the regnal name he has chosen for himself. This practice fell out of favor until the election of Flavius Drusus in 2120.
Once appointed the Imperator serves until death. The Imperator can be stripped of his authority and banished by a two thirds majority vote of the Gerousia.
List of Etrurian Imperators
Tiberius Rex Augusti (June 2120-Present)
Caius Augusti (December 2113 to June 2120t)
Titus Augusti (May 2057 to December 2113)
Quintius Augusti Maximus (November 1983 to May 2057)
Publius Augusti Barbatus (July 1956 to November 1983)
