Empire of Byzantium Novum
Empire of Byzantium Novum | |
|---|---|
| Official languages | English |
| Demonym(s) | Byzantine |
| Government | Empire |
• Basileus | Baduila Chalkeus |
• Mesazon | Marcus Cassius Julianus |
| Legislature | Senate of Byzantium Novum |
| Establishment | 8 February 2010 |
| Population | |
• Census | 1,339 citizens |
| Time zone | UTC |
Website www.byzantiumnovum.org | |
The Empire of Byzantium Novum, more commonly known as Byzantium Novum, is a micronation with various jurisdictions and territories around the world. The Empire claims to be a successor nation to the ancient Eastern Roman Empire, more commonly known in contemporary times as the Byzantine Empire.
The Empire of Byzantium Novum is one of the largest micronations in the world by number of registered citizens and has been continuously active in its present form since the Empire’s foundation on February 8th, 2010; as such the Imperial claim as a legitimate successor state of the Eastern Roman Empire predates similar assertions by several prominent micronations, in particular those of Austenasia, Pavlov, Rhomania, and the Holy Byzantium Empire.
History
The Empire of Byzantium Novum declared independence as a sovereign micronation on the 8th of February, 2010 and was founded by Marcus Cassius Julianus, founder and Pater Patriae of the Roman revivalist micronation Nova Roma, and a number of fellow Romans and associates.
Although explicitly founded as a micronation the Empire still laid claim to the legacy of the Byzantine Empire in its founding declaration:
"We acknowledge ancient lands which constituted the Byzantine Empire to be our cultural and religious homeland, and claim historical rights to all sites and territories which were under the direct control or administration of Constantinople and it's successor states from 324 AD to 1479 AD."
and would furthermore establish a national territorial goal of “one parcel of land in the amount of 100 or more contiguous acres for the site of a Byzantine Capital,” as well as “whatever smaller satellite properties we may lawfully obtain and maintain for the use of the Byzantine Community in other areas.”
Byzantium Novum’s history has been relatively quiet; untouched by unrest, instability, or any major unexpected changes in government. A formal Constitution was adopted in 2018 to account for the nation’s growth and change in the time since the Foundational Laws (which serve as the unalterable basis of Byzantine jurisprudence) were enacted in 2010; and in 2022 the Senate of Byzantium Novum elected the country’s first Emperor upon meeting the constitutional threshold of a thousand registered citizens.
Politics & Government
The Emperor and/or Empress
The Emperor (Basileus) of Byzantium Novum is the Empire’s office of the Head of State as established in the Constitution, to be elected by the members of the Government (Senators, imperial ministers, and regional governors) to a one-year nonconsecutive term. The Emperor’s prerogatives are “limited to ceremonial and public relations roles only“ and not dissimilar from those of the Emperor of Japan, having no role whatsoever in governance. The current Basileus is His Imperial Majesty Baduila Chalkeus, Emperor and Autocrat of the Romans, whose term will expire in September 2024.
The Senate
All government authority in Byzantium Novum is vested in the Senate, the successor body to the Senate of Constantinople and supreme legislative power within the Empire. Every government minister, including the Emperor, takes their authority by the approval of the Senate and Senators are the only officials in Byzantium Novum who hold their position for life. Legislative amendments to the Constitution, Administrative Handbook, and Canons of the Classical Church are all subject to a vote of the Senate. There are currently a dozen sitting Senators; Senators are not elected by popular vote (no office in Byzantium Novum is), but rather by nomination and majority vote of the existing members of the Senate.
Imperial Ministries
The Senate has created imperial ministries focusing on certain aspects of governmental administration and tasked with addressing concerns about their specific areas. These Ministries are as follows:
- Militarium: The Militarium, under the Grand Master of the Camp, is the official military forum for Byzantium Novum. This ministry is for discussion and study of Byzantine military history and reenacting. The current Grand Master of the Camp is Manuel Tagaris.
- Foreign Ministry: The Foreign Ministry, under the supervision of the Foreign Minister, is responsible for two main functions: establishing foreign relations with other nations (including microstates) and similar entities and encouraging the study of historical neighbours of the Byzantine Empire. The current Foreign Minister is Senator Origen Iuventius Kamberis.
- Chancellery: The Grand Chancellor is the senior administrative official within the Imperium Institutionum (αυτοκρατορική υπηρεσίες), and pursuant thereto coordinates all imperial ministries. The Grand Chancellor also serves as the Clerk of the Senate. The current Grand Chancellor is Gregoras Constantius Campanus.
- Orthodox Church: The Church of Byzantium Novum, under the Grand Prelate of the Church of Byzantium Novum, is responsible for all Christian religious study and observances within the Empire. The current Grand Prelate is Senator Gregoras Constantinus Campanus.
- Classical Church: The Classical Church of Byzantium Novum, under the Pontifex Maximus, is responsible for all Byzantine Pagan religious study and observances within the Empire. The current Pontifex Maximus is Senator Origen Iuventius Kamberis.
- Chamberlaincy: The Chamberlaincy, under the Grand Chamberlain of the Empire, is the main forum for Byzantine cultural topics in Byzantium Novum, including all the arts and sciences of the era. The Chamberlaincy’s purview includes Byzantine arts, science, music, costuming, writing, literature, architecture, philosophy, etc. The current Grand Chamberlain is Malachi Constantine Komnenos.
- Treasury: The Treasury, under the supervision of the Grand Treasurer of the Empire, is responsible for collecting the funds of the Empire and ensuring they are safeguarded, spent in accordance with Senate guidelines, and audited at least once annually and will be responsible for establishing financial guidelines to effect the smooth functioning of the regional and local groups of the Empire. The current Grand Treasurer is Senator Marcus Cassius Julianus.
- Chartulary: The Chartulary, under the Grand Chartulary of the Empire, is responsible for recruiting and assisting new members in integrating themselves into the Empire and for establishing recruiting and new members’ integration guidelines to effect the smooth functioning of the regional and local groups of the Empire as well as media relations. When it is fully established, the Chartulary is responsible for Counts’ School and the New Groups Handbook. The Chartulary may appoint regional deputies called “Grand Ostiaries” when required. The current Grand Chartulary is Julianus Oribasius.
All Ministries are outlined in the Constitution of the Empire of Byzantium Novum as well as in the Administrative Handbook.
Foreign Relations
The Empire of Byzantium Novum only enters into formal relationships with a Mutual Recognition Treaty (MRT) with other nations after all of the official criteria for the relationship has been established. Additionally, the Empire may enter into relationships with a more informal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that addresses specific areas of a limited formal relationship between the nations.
The foreign relations for Byzantium Novum is conducted through the Foreign Ministry and is the responsibility of the Foreign Minister. The roles of the Foreign Ministry are:
- To establish and maintain foreign relations with foreign governments and organizations
- To encourage the study of the historical neighbors and successor states of the Byzantine Empire
The Empire of Byzantium Novum is currently an Observing member of the League of Hellenistic Micronations and enjoys a particular closeness with the Karno-Ruthenian Empire as well.
| Name of Nation | Year | Treaty Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingdom of Ouriana | 7527 | MRT | Active |
| Westartica | 7527 | MRT | Active |
| Empire of Cassiopeia | 7527 | MRT | Active |
| Kingdom of Macalos | 7527 | MRT | Active |
| Karno-Ruthenian Empire | 7527 | MRT | Active |
| Kingdom of Imvrassia | 7528 | MRT | Active |
| Kingdom of Atlia | 7528 | MOU | Active |
| Principality of Scotia | 7528 | MRT | Active |
| The League of Hellenistic Micronations | 7528 | MOU | Active |
| New Rubix Republic | 7531 | MRT | Active |
Regional and Local Governance
- Ducates are regional groups with 21 or more members, sufficient officers to cover all areas of responsibility, an approved heraldic device, a record of activity, and one or more subordinate themes. Each ducate is governed by a duke or duchess.
- Exarchates are regional groups with 25 or more members, sufficient officers to cover all areas of responsibility, an approved heraldic device, a record of activity, and may contain one or more subordinate themes. Each exarchate is governed by an exarch. Exarchs are entitled to non-voting membership in the Senate upon election and retain it for the duration of their tenure as exarchs. Exarchates are designed to be created in areas of the world where English is not widely spoken, and business must be conducted in the local language. Exarchs must be conversant in English.
- Major themes are local groups with 16 or more citizens, sufficient officers to cover all areas of responsibility, an approved heraldic device and a record of activity. Each major theme is governed by a strategos. Major themes may fall under a regional group (ducate or exarchate) or be autonomous, under the control of the Senate.
- Minor themes are local groups with five or more citizens and a minimum of two officers (governor as well as chancellor, chamberlain, treasurer, tribune, chartulary or chaplain). Each minor theme is governed by a strategos. Minor themes may fall under a regional group (theme or exarchate) or be autonomous, under the control of the Senate.
Duties of Administrators
- Counts: The duty of a count is to recruit for Byzantium Novum, be a local point of contact for information, and help form themes and villages. Only one count will be appointed per US state, Canadian province, Russian Federal District, or foreign country, and usually each count will cover only one US state, Canadian province, Russian Federal District, country (this includes territories and federal districts) or foreign country; waivers may be obtained with good reason from the Grand Chartulary. Counts are supervised by the Grand Chartulary and should remain in contact with him.
- Mayors (GR kephale): The duty of a mayor is to facilitate face to face meetings in area where several citizens (three or more) of Byzantium Novum reside. Typically, these will be urban or an exurban area with their surrounding suburbs, but it is not required. The area administered by a mayor is called a town or city. Mayors are supervised by their establishing group and, if not in a regional or local group, the Grand Chancellor.
- Wardens (GR kleisourarches, LA praesis): The duty of a warden is to form a minor theme within one year (one additional year may be requested but no more). During that year, the warden has responsibility to recruit additional officers, determine a name for the theme, and submit the request to form the theme. Wardens are appointed by the Grand Chancellor or any duke, exarch, or strategos of a major theme, who is required to notify the Senate, through the Grand Chancellor, of their appointment or dismissal. A warden may not form towns or cities, but may request formation through the Grand Chancellor or the governor with jurisdiction over the area. A warden is supervised by the appointing authority, although this duty may be delegated to the chief of staff in a regional group or major theme.
Economy
The Empire currently supports and online marketplace which makes up the economy of the nation.
Culture & Media
The Chancellery publishes a quarterly newsletter called Basilica to inform the population and others who may read it about the Empire. Every issue includes proceedings from the officers, awards granted, news from around the Empire, updates on Imperial development, and rosters of the Imperial Senate, the Imperial Ministries, governors, and administrators as well as mailings lists and web presence. Additionally, the Chancellery publishes, on an annual basis, updates to the Administrative Handbook, the Taktikon (roster of awards and honors), the Epitome (atlas) and the Kletorologion (Roll of Arms). The Chancellery also polls the population for nominees to be Heroes of Byzantium Novum, who are voted on by the Senate and announced every Spring.