The City-State of Corioles (Closed)

[Corioles]

OOC: If you can't be bothered to read it, it's the Roman Republic, if it was MT

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"Coriolanus will rule, and build the walls of Mars
And he will give his people his own name:
Corioles. On them I lay no limits.
I set them free from distance and from time,
I have given them an Empire without end."

Aeneid. I

Ave,

Welcome to this, a true account of the greatest city in the world, Capus Mundi, Corioles.

This ancient city has survived much, from barbarians to plagues, from the wrath of the gods to the jealousies of lesser peoples. And it has stood strong. It's enemies have dashed themselves against it, like a wave breaking over a rock. The founding year of the city is unknown, lost in the mist of the most ancient time. However, since Titus Coriolanus first founded Carioles, under the instruction of the gods, it has stood as the one constant in human history. Around it, Kings, Empires, Nations, all have risen and fallen, their pride matched only by their ignorance. None could better Corioles.

And so, the city became the greatest, most ancient in the known world. It's arts, science and military technology shone out as a beacon of Coriolean Greatness amongst the darkness of the the brutal barbarian tribes which lived beyond the great walls of Corioles. Politically, Corioles was much advanced too, with the last King, Lucius Andronicus being executed in 434 BCE, and replaced with the noble Senate of Patricians, as well as the elected Consul.

Under this system, Corioles has grown, and it's control now reaches far beyond the borders of the city itself. It is a great and ancient nation, and by it's own reckoning, the centre of the world, anyone outside it's borders being backwards barbarians, fit for nothing more than enslavement, or forced combat in the gladiatorial circus. As such, it's contact with the outside world up until now has been minor. However, under it's new Consul, Caius Martias, the Senate of Corioles has seen fit to open the republic to foreign involvement, and it is for that purpose that the factbook has been written, that you, the unenlightened and backward denizens of the barbaric darkness, may see the true glory and power of Corioles.

[Corioles]

Political System

The Consul

The Consul is the supreme power in Corioles. There are 2 Consuls, generally one is given authority over Foreign, and one Domestic affairs. They are elected every 6 years, and alterate their duties year by year. This means that they must be experts in both Domestic and Foreign Politics. They each excercise a veto power over each other, in theory, although in practice the veto is only used in extreme circumstances, such as to prevent an unjust war.

The Consuls propose laws, which are then voted on in the Senate. The Consuls alternate monthly on the position of 'President of the Senate', who chairs meetings of the senate. They also sit in judgement if Senators are impeached.

They are both limited in power whilst in the City of Corioles by the Senate, but outside the city walls, their power becomes almost absolute, due to their position as Commanders in Chief. One Consul must remain in the City always, whilst the other (usually the one charged with Foreign Policy) takes to the field in order to coordinate warfare against the cities enemies.

Consuls cannot run for election for 2 terms in a row, and are expected to leave a period of 10 years between consulships. This rule can be waived in exceptional circumstances. At the end of their 6 year term, the Senate will grant each Consul Governorship of a province, where he is free to rule as he sees fit. He is also granted the title of 'Pro-Consul'.

In times of crisis, one of the Consuls may be appointed 'Dictator' by the Senate, and he is given absolute power, with the other Consul as his aide. However, this period of dictatorship may last no longer than 6 months.

The Current Domestic Consul is Quintus Aurelius Sextius, seen here in traditional (ceremonial) military uniform.



Quintus Aurelius Sextius was trained at the Gaius Julius Military Academy, before studying Politics and Law at the University of Corioles. He went on to represent his district in lower, local assemblies, and became a magistrate. It took him little time, thanks to his well respected family and great wealth, to become a major player in the power-politics of the city, and after his appointment as Censor at the age of 30, it was only a matter of time and opportunity until he became Consul. He was elected Consul at the age of 42, and since then has been well liked by both the Senate and the People.

During his reign as Domestic Consul, he has greatly secured the countries food supplies, increased industrial output, and safe-guarded the rights of slaves. This has not always endeared him to the ancient Patrician familes, who fear his popularity with the working man, but they are appeased by his bloodline, and feel that he is 'one of their own'. Sextius is also famed for using his significant personal fortune to fund large gladiatorial battles and circuses, which are broadcast live throughout the Coriolean lands.

Seen as the 'softer' of the two Consuls, often disagrees over the Foreign Policy decisions of his colleague.

The Current Foreign Consul is Caius Martias, seen here in the combat uniform of his unit.



Caius Martias did not come from as great a family as Sextius, nor is his blood so pure. He is not wildly popular with the people, who see him as authoritarian and ambitious, and there are often low level rumours that one day he will use the Army (of which he is Commander in Chief) to usurp Sextius and rule as Imperator. However, the Senate remains happy to trust him, due to his glorious past achievements.

He was educated at the Mars Military Academy, that reserved for the Special Forces of the Coriolean Army. He graduated and immediately joined the Pretorians as an officer. He became a war hero, due to his incredible feats of arms, and was promoted several times, until he reached the rank of Colonel. At this point, 35, he was retired from active service and given a job at the strategic level, coordinating Special Forces operations with the Regular Legionnaires. He was lauded for his actions at the 4th Siege of Corioles, where he and his team infiltrated and destroyed the camp of the Barbarian leader, slitting his throat in his bed.

This action, the saving of Corioles, led to a demand from both the army and the people for immediate and great reward. He was proposed as the next consul by three seperate senators, and quickly approved. Since that time, his popularity has waned greatly, now being seen as a warmonger, but he is the greatest patriot in Corioles, and an able and ruthless campaigner for the greatness of the City and it's allies.

The Senate

The Plebian Assembly

The Magistrates

[Corioles]

The Culture of Corioles

Corioles is a great and ancient city, and it's people have inherited a rich culture from the millenia of their nations existance. Corioleans are by nature, a traditional and conservative people, and as such some elements of Coriolean culture persist, despite seeming ridiculous or backward to the barbarians. Sometimes, a new and better technology will be adopted, despite the ancient traditions (for example, e-mails are now used instead of the traditional emmissaries). However, in some cases, a tradition will be so dear, so integral to Coriolean culture, that it is retained, despite it's obsoleteness.

Examples of this include the method of execution remaining crucifiction, and the retention of the toga for ceremonial use. Of course, crucifiction is a slow, ineffecient and costly way to kill men, and shooting, hanging or lethal injection would be much better in all these regards. However, the cross has been a symbol of Coriolean justice for centuries, and a great deterant against crime. For this reason, it is still used for the majority of executions.

Two Persistantly Violent Criminals and one Traitor to the Republic are crucified (Below).



The Toga is still worn at ceremonial occassions, much like tuxedos in other cultures. Military Officers wear modern uniforms for the majority of the time, but often pose in togas for portraits or statues. Senators wear the toga at the state-opening of the senate, and normal Carioleans will often wear them for formal family gatherings such as weddings and funerals. Togas are expensive, and made to measure, meaning that they are reserved for the most prestigeous of occassions.

Marcus Fustus Drullus, Roman Senator, is snapped leaving a family wedding early (Below).



Religion

Corioles has many gods. Too many to record here. They range from Jupiter, the King and Father of the Gods, to Bubona, Godess of Cattle. Obviously, some are more important than others, and here we will briefly cover the principle gods of the Coriolean State Religion. Other Religions are ceaselessly oppressed, to one degree or another, as they refuse to recognise the divine inspiration of the foundation of Corioles. It is well known that Titus Coriolanus was prompted to found the city under the guidance of the Goddess Minerva, goddess of Wisdom. As such, people of other religions, whilst widespread throughout the lands of Corioles, can never become Citizens of Corioles, and as such, are liable to be enslaved, or pressed into the army.

Jupiter, King of the Gods
Also a sky God. Creates Rain, Thuderbolts, etc. Is the husband of Juno. Brother of Neptune and Pluto, with each presiding over a third of creation, either the Sky, the Sea, or the Underworld. Jupiter was originally afforded human sacrifices, but that was soon changed to cows or goats. In the modern day, few make blood sacrifices at all, preferring to offer money or food to the temple to be sacrificed on their behalf.

Juno, Queen of the Gods
Also the protector of the Coriolean State. She has many important roles, and at different times has been seen as a goddess of war, of marriage, of motherhood, and many other things. As such, she is one of the most widely worshipped goddesses, and has the largest cult of any, except for Venus.

Mars, God of War
Also of soldiers. Has a large cult, made up of most of the army, and by extension, many politicians who are ex-military men. Important in the theology of the Coriolean state, as it's warlike nature has meant that many festivals and victories are accorded to his help. Still recieves offerings of cows, or even horses for him to ride before the start of any great war.

Minerva, Goddess of Wisdom
Credited with the creation of Corioles. Often referenced by other cults, her own following is surprisingly small given the role she played in the birth of the City. Most of her followers are doctors, scientists, or others dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and discovery. Occassionally sacrificed to by Consuls whilst making major decisions.

Neptune, God of the Sea
Also, of sailors. Patron God of the Cariolean Navy. Almost his entire cult is made up of sailors or fishermen. As such, one of the least popular gods. However, despite this minor cult influence, he is often depicted in artwork, as his dramatic role in the Coriolean pantheon makes a good subject for religiously minded artists.

Venus, Goddess of Love
The most popular goddess. Recieves many sacrifices, especially from men hoping to win the hand of a woman, but also from single women unlucky in love. Her cult is extremely large, not least because of the rumoured orgies involved in their religious services.

Pluto, God of Death
Also, of the underworld. A very unpopular god, he occassionally recieves sacrifices from the sick or old, asking to be spared. His cult is made up of 'misunderstood' teenagers and the occassional elderly member. Important within theology, and depicted not as someone to be feared, rather as a friend, ending the suffering of the living.

The Games

The Games are a hugely important part of Cariolean culture, and perhaps one of the most iconic symbols of it. There are 2 main types of games.

Gladiatorial Games

Held in a large circular stadium, the Gladiatorial games are where criminals, slaves and professional gladiators come to fight and die for the amusement of the crowds. They are now available on pay-per-view, via cable. The most common game is 'One on One', during which two men fight each other to the death. The crowd can now vote, via their mobile phones, for which one they would prefer to win, and that one is usually given better weaponry. They are only ever equpped with melee weapons, so as not to endanger the watching crowd.

Other popular games include 'Battle', during which two 'teams' of gladiators are set against each other, with the side which kills the other first winning. However, this is less usual, usually being held near the start of a gladiatorial tournament to 'thin the ground'. A third type of game is 'Man Versus Beast', during which a lightly armed man faces down a vicious beast. This is reserved for condemned men, as professional gladiators aim to seek glory and fame, not simply die at the claws of a pack of dogs.

Professional gladiators are free men who enter into the tournaments simply to become famous and profit from the prize at the end. They, unlike the others, may drop out of the tournament at any time (although doing so is seen as cowardly) and are often spared if defeated after fighting 'well'.

Racing

Racing takes place at a 'Circus'. It is done with both the traditional chariots, and in larger more modern Circi, cars. The rules are simple. There will be a number of laps set, and the first one to complete this number is the winner. Aggressive racing, often leading to crashes and the deaths of other drivers, is encouraged. Racing is a 'rich mans sport', with many Senators and other senior figures preferring it to Gladiatorial battles. Unlike gladiatorial battles, death is not certain, and the condemned are not sent to become racers.