Politics and Government of Zahava



The cornerstone of all things in the political environment in Zahava relies on the concept of absolute imperial authority. Imperial authority is believed to be the will of the gods, with the Emperor being a living god, and the first of all Zahavan peoples, this belief being the source of the emperor's title, the Primogenitor. The imperial government is expected to represent the gods will on earth, and to an extent imperial authority is kept in check by a series of religious, and legal precedent carried out through a series of State rituals.

Primogenitor
The Primogenitor exercises total power over the empire, although this is kept in check by an ancient, complex system of religious, cultural, and legal traditions and expectations. Traditionally Emperors were given their titles by a joint proclamation by the Scholari and Epistates of the Synedrion with their selection being ratified by the Magos via deification. Since 1706 all Emperor's have been part of the Agesilaus dynasty, all Emperors are deified at birth, confirming their divine bloodline and thus right to rule.

Primogenitors are believed to be living gods and decedents of the first Zahavan people. Edicts by the Primogenitor can veto recommendations from the Synedrion, name members of the Imperialis Administratum and the Rehati, Segmentarchs or provincial governors, and the Tetrarchs. They are expected to oversee and partake in a complex series of state rituals meant to appease the gods and win favor for the Zahavan people. Primogenitors theoretically have unbound power, and cannot be imprisoned or charged with crimes although there are several instances throughout history where Emperors have been deposed and replaced by either distant relatives or generals of the Stratia with backing from the Magos.

Synedrion


The Imperialis Synedrion, or Imperial Senate while officially having no authority drafts national legislation which is then passed to the Primogenitor for signing into law. The Primogenitor can veto any legislation sent by the Synedrion, and has the authority to dissolve the body entirely at any time. This is extremely rare given that legislation from the Synedrion is considered to carry the weight of a mandate of the citizenry. Further the Imperialis Synedrion is capped at 500 members, with 62 seats permanently reserved for members of the Imperial family. The remaining seats are sorted among noble houses, citizens assemblies and religious cults getting 146 seats each.

Members of a Synedrion are called Synedriots with the Megas Syndrius being the chief officer tasked with ensuring order and guiding discussion during debates.

Epistates
The Epistates are similar to the Agora except their membership is restricted members of noble families. One member represents each family in the Imperialis Synedrion, while other family members represent their household in regional Synedrions.

Agora
The Agora, or Citizen Assembly are comprised of eligible citizens who are elected by their peers to represent their village, or city as the regional Agora component to the regional senate. Each regional Agora will then, inturn select members from among itself to represent the region in the Imperial Agora. The Imperialis Agora or Imperial Assembly of citizens consists of these representatives from each of the Segmentums or Tetrarchia. The Imperialis Agora serves as the citizens voice in the Imperialis Synedrion.

Ecclesia
The Priestly class which operates the Cult system is regulated by a complex religious bureaucracy overseen by the Ecclasiarchs. The Ecclasiarch of each region appoints priests to represent the cults in the imperial senate.

Citizenship
Only citizens may vote for or become members of an Agora. Possible methods for one to attain citizenship are: both parents must have been citizens, one must have completed either Scholari school or military service, one must pay taxes. Non-Zahavans may attain citizenship by virtue of military service and undergoing religious rituals showing their acceptance of the Zahavan faith.

Rehati
The Rehati is the Primogenitor's Small Council, headed by the right-hand figure of the empire, the Rehatiarch. The Small Council can be any size, but has almost always had nine members, usually members of the imperial family or deeply historic nobility or military leaders. The exact powers and authorities granted to the Rehati are in constant flux, and it is generally assumed that their authority supersedes whomever's it comes into conflict with unless stated otherwise by the Primogenitor.