Antiquitian Empire

Most Consummate Antiquitian Empire
Most Consummate Antiquitian Empire ;
	Flag Coat of arms of Antiquitian Empire Coat of arms
	Motto: Praeteritis, Praesentibus, Futurum. ; (Latin: "Past, Present, Future")
	Anthem: N/A (National)
	The two provinciae of the Antiquitian Empire. The two provinciae of the Antiquitian Empire.
Capital	Currently being designed.
Official languages	English
Demonym(s)	Antiquitian
Government	Participatory Democracy with Senate and Consul
• Consul/Divus	Divus Trevus
Legislature	Open Senate
Establishment	24 August 2012
Population
• Census	9
Currency	Canadian Dollar ($)
	Website; Government Website

The Antiquitian Empire is a North American micronation which was founded on August 24 of 2012 in the Caribbean Sea, Strait of Georgia and Strait of Juan de Fuca. The Empire once laid claim to territory in Lake Superior, however to show their legitimacy they respectively retracted all claims in the North Eastern Empire. It's a relatively small state, approximately 4 km²; a considerable amount of its territory is in the Caribbean sea and the rest in the Straits of Georgia and Juan de Fuca. Despite the difference in size, the Pacific Northwest is the most politically important part of the Empire. As a young micronation, it lacks the ability to flex its strength and patrol its lands. As it grows however, more presence will be felt in it's lands with Senate meetings and military demonstrations. One of its main ambitions is to protect the integrity of history and ensure that it is properly documented. Many aspects of the empire are based off historical versions because of how highly they're valued.

Etymology

Antiquitian came from the word Antiquity because the state strongly believes that the era in civilization called antiquity was one of mass achievement. Being based off the idea that history is one of the most important aspects of human civilization, the state took after one of the most important periods of history.

History

Period of Foundation

The Antiquitian Empire formed when Divus Trevus claimed and united islands across the North American continent. The first few days of its existence brought about the creation of a flag, a government website, a few national symbols, and some major legal differences compared to major world powers. Divus Trevus wielded unquestioned authority as the founder, although he assured citizens that this was only to shape the Empire in a beneficial way before democracy becomes the official method of politics. It was, and still is, difficult to garner citizens. Once the target number of people with citizenship is reached Divus Trevus will turn his attention to a National Anthem and a Constitution. The main concern held by the nation in this period, and the following, was lack of a capital city as all land claimed was lacking development. A great rush to create habitable area to declare a capital city ensued and continues. On August 28 the Caesarean Islands were found to be previously nameless, and therefore unclaimed thus the Antiquitian Empire claimed them for itself. As of August 31, the islands Alexandrian and Temunjin were found to be unnamed and uninhabited, and too were added to its growing territory. September first proved to be another day of expansion as the Miami and Ragged Islets and Maple Island were assimilated into the micronation along with the newly named Ares Island, Scylla Island and Perde Rock. The structuring of the state continues to evolve with the empire.

On September 1, 2012 the Antiquitian empire opened up to diplomatic relations with nations. It was approached by two micronations, though the empires desire to remain legitimate resulted in a negative experience with both. The empire was waiting for more serious diplomacy discussions with nations seeking legitimate sovereignty and hopes to expand its relations.

Reconstructive Period

November 16, 2012 marked the beginning of a universal change across the empire, with whole provinciae being altered or removed and many themata undergoing the same. This occurred out of a desire to ensure a legitimacy of the empire and not to cause conflict with important macronations, such as Canada. Themata Candor was entirely removed, with all claims to Caribou and Maple island being revoked with acknowledgement to their being Canadian. 2013 dawned a new era in how Divus Trevus managed the Empire. More focus into the Antiquitian culture was prevalent, as was the further downsizing of territory. National sports, cuisine, hobbies and more were all realized in the early half of the year. The Empire began to swing more towards focusing on the Western half, while still maintaining it's claim on the Caribbean provinciae but entirely discharging the Eastern Canadian provinciae from the Empire.

Geography and climate

Due to the extreme distance between territory in the Antiquitian Empire, many different types of terrain and weather patterns can be experienced while on Antiquitian soil. In the Pacific Northwest there are vicious wind storms capable of devastating forests and damaging housing, along with at times heavy rainfall that can cause flooding. Megathrust earthquakes, which are the most powerful and destructive type of earthquake, are another type of natural hazard in the area. Though one hasn't happened in recent time, the whole region is constantly preparing itself for one. Tsunamis and volcanic eruptions are often byproducts of these terrible earthquakes, adding to the chaotic ruination.

Around the Great Lakes there are powerful wind storms, and severe thunderstorms. This weather however is dwarfed by the storms that can develop over the lakes, tornadoes can occur around the lake and waterspouts show themselves occasionally too. Though they usually remain more Southern, some have been known to venture Northward. Another, even more threatening weather system are the hurricane-like storms that form. They can have winds as strong as a category three hurricane, but due to the storms higher latitude can produce mass snowfall. Though the storms don't happen annually, they still do often enough to pose a considerable threat to island on the lake.

In the Caribbean Sea there are annual hurricanes that cause considerable damage to property not adequately prepared and wipe out many smaller ecosystems, such as coral reefs or islands of little mass. There are also earthquakes that occur in some of the larger islands such as Hispaniola. Though tsunamis aren't as great a threat in the Caribbean Sea, there are several scenarios people are concerned about, some of which could possibly generate a megatsunami and lay waste to the whole region, along with a large portion of the East Coast.

Hurricane Sandy

Hurricane Sandy was a category 2 hurricane (SSHS) which devastated many parts of the Caribbean and the United States of America. It was especially devastating to the East Coast and Central Caribbean. However, the Antiquitian Empire emerged from this disaster mostly unscathed and only experienced choppy water and rains. Regardless, it showed to the empire what must be expected in a worst case scenario storm passing over Antiquitian territory.

Government and politics

The current government of the Antiquitian Empire is a dictatorship held by Divus Trevus. His goal is to transform the young and developing micronation into a functioning member of the worlds nations with a larger citizen count and a stronger sense of national identity, while maintaining a neutral stance with friendly ties to other micro and macronations. Once the Coat of Arms, Anthem and Constitution are completed and a large enough population for an effective democracy is acquired and an embassy is established, Divus Trevus will step down as head of state, and the true government will take control of the nation. The immediate action of the Senate will be to elect a Consul, bringing to life the End of Divinity and into effect Participatory democracy led by said Consul.

Territory

The Antiquitian Empire is comprised of twenty five islands. Fourteen of which are in the Pacific Northwest and eleven are in the Caribbean Sea. The territory is divided up into two provinciae which are further divided into seven themata. In the Pacific Northwest, Antiquity Point, Miami Islet, Ragged Islets and Tree Island make up the first, and smallest, themata Las Islas. They have little to no value politically or otherwise, but provide refuge and camp ground to citizens. Asunder is the next biggest themata, made up of Ares Island and Channel Island, which is once again of little political value. Imperator is a themata made up of the Caesarean Islands and Temujin island. It is the second largest themata in the Pacific Northwest and may be of some importance in the future. The largest is Moirai which is made up of Alexandrian Island and Comet Island. It may serve to be the most important economically in the region, but politically Imperator may overpower it. In the Caribbean Sea there are three themata, the first being Redonda, which is claimed by multiple micronations, along with the macronation that administrates it, is the smaller themata though it may prove to be the most troublesome in coming years. Fable is a slightly larger themata, made up of Falcon Island, Perde Rock, Scylla Island and Crown Island. Christina is the largest in the region, consisting of the Antiquitian Isles. It may prove to be the most desirable tourist attraction in the whole of the empire, and also be an important asset to the economy with the fishing industry. There was once another themata in Lake Superior. It was called Candor and was made up of Caribou and Maple Island. The Antiquitian Empire retracted any claim to it because they felt it was too large of a claim from Canada and that it tarnished their legitimacy.

Diplomatic relations

The Antiquitian Empire desires to have diplomatic relations with as many fully legitimate nations as possible, and to be recognized as a sovereign state by all who pursue diplomacy with the empire. The empire doesn't wish to belittle micronationalism as a hobby or those less committed to becoming a recognized state, but is must respectfully decline alliances with not fully legitimate nations and keep peaceful neutrality with them. The Antiquitian Empire is willing to enter diplomatic relations with any state seeking foreign relations.

The Antiquitian Empire recognizes

The Antiquitian Empire does not recognize

Kingdom of Redonda (The Antiquitian Empire has claimed Redonda for itself, as every claim to the Kingdom of Redonda has been fruitless thus far.)

Legal issues and the law

Law under the Antiquitian Empire is still being developed, but it has become clear where the empire stands on some current issues. So far it seems to be a mixture of leftist views on human rights issues and a more liberal view with other matters.

Sexuality, gender, and marriage

The common belief in the Antiquitian Empire is that gender is subjective to every individual, and non other than oneself may dictate their gender. Discrimination against persons of a different gender is strictly prohibited, and can result in criminal punishment. Sexuality is nearly identical in every aspect; no one may dictate or discriminate against a persons for their orientation. To further this concept, marriage is between consenting adults and there are no other government guidelines to be qualified for marriage.

Cannabis

In the Antiquitian Empire all forms of Cannabis do not experience prohibition and in fact growing hemp is widely endorsed by the micronation. It provides a more economically friendly way to produce material for paper, fuel, oils, et cetera and the occasional consumption of marijuana is generally a harm free activity that adults may partake in.

Copyright

Copyright is viewed far differently in the Antiquitian Empire, and the empire wishes to establish a system where the marker of something may copyright it, but copyrighted material may still be used for nonprofit when credited, regardless of the situation. If the material is greatly altered or meshed together into a collage in a forprofit scenario, then credit must be given and the copyright holder must be informed, but it is still allowed.

Animal rights

In nearly every nation, animals are viewed as property and have little to no right to life. The Antiquitian Empire wishes to change that, because as a living being, they deserve so. The empire doesn't wish to alter the owner/pet system, it simply wishes to give animals more rights and protect them owners and corporations lacking dedication to the safety of animals.

Environmentalism

The Antiquitian Empire recognizes the importance that nature plays in industry and economy, and that a healthy environment equals a strong nation. It also means the preservation of humanity as a healthy environment leads to a healthier biosphere which in turns makes for easier species survival. Because of this, within the empire disregard for the environment is met with heavy opposition and doing so can result in heavy fines and/or jail time depending on the severity of the damage caused. One major difference between the empire and most states is that littering is viewed far worse than in the rest of the world. Littering can result in massive fines, and if an individual is caught numerous times they may face harsher penalties.

Culture

Antiquitian culture draws influences from a mixture of Canadian, American, European, Latin, and Asian influences as well as many from cultures that have themselves long since declined. The most prominent influences in the newly developing culture are Canadian and American. This is because of the already worldwide reach both nations cultures have and the proximity the Western section of the Empire. Aside from the focusing on historical societies there is no discernible difference due to the age of the Antiquitian Empire. As more people become citizens a sense of unity will emerge outlining the distinctly Antiquitian parts of culture that are already developing with the formation of the micronation.

Art

There isn't a distinct artistic style yet observable within the Empire, but a noticeable difference is that graffiti is an appreciated form of artistic expression. This doesn't mean that there is Antiquitian support for vandalism, just that it is more welcome in places where it will be legally allocated. Graffiti in it's modern street form is a natural progression in self expression for those who are unable to showcase their talents in the way sculptors or portrait painters can; however, this doesn't take away from it's artistic merit. As such, the Empire feels that it should be encouraged that it's citizens produce their own graffiti at designated spots. Although no Antiquitian has produced any sculptures, the emphasis in antiquity means that there will be an attempted push towards that area of art. That said, there is no one type of art that is of extra importance to the Empire. It welcomes and hopes for many different forms of art from many different artists in the future.

Sports

Unfortunately, as of yet there are no national sports or commonly played sports in the Empire. There isn't a large enough population to participate in organize sports together so as such there hasn't been any development in this area of culture. There is, however, a national esport. The game, Dota 2, is a highly popular multiplayer online battle arena game that is already a recognized esport that has had global tournaments and continues to do so today. Divus Trevus has spent a considerable time playing the game and felt it would be an appropriate way to embrace esports while still honoring the team work and strategy that many normal sports require.