Darth Batrus (talk | contribs) (rewrote history, added in the dates of each Praetor along with refs, fixed refs as well) |
|||
Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
The '''Praetor of the Romulan Star Empire''' is the [[head of government]] for the [[Romulan Star Empire|Romulan state]]. Officially, the Praetor is third in rank in the Empire behind the [[Emperor of the Romulan Star Empire|Emperor]] and the [[Emperor's Legate]]. In reality the Praetor is often the true power of the Empire, with the Emperor and his Legate fulfilling mainly ceremonial roles. ({{n|TOS|Probe}}) |
The '''Praetor of the Romulan Star Empire''' is the [[head of government]] for the [[Romulan Star Empire|Romulan state]]. Officially, the Praetor is third in rank in the Empire behind the [[Emperor of the Romulan Star Empire|Emperor]] and the [[Emperor's Legate]]. In reality the Praetor is often the true power of the Empire, with the Emperor and his Legate fulfilling mainly ceremonial roles. ({{n|TOS|Probe}}) |
||
− | He, or she as [[Romulan]] women can achieve the position, serves as the effective leader of the Star Empire and are the very embodiment of the Romulan ideals of honor, accomplishment, discipline, and most importantly, [[D'Era]] the destiny of the Romulan people to spread and conquer the stars. ( |
+ | He, or she as [[Romulan]] women can achieve the position, serves as the effective leader of the Star Empire and are the very embodiment of the Romulan ideals of honor, accomplishment, discipline, and most importantly, [[D'Era]] the destiny of the Romulan people to spread and conquer the stars. ({{rpg|ST|The Way of D'era: The Romulans}}) |
==History== |
==History== |
||
Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
Over time, the power of the Senate waxed and the power of the Emperor waned. To the Romulan way of thinking, the Senate provided a more reliable and stable means of governing the expanding Empire. No matter how capable, no one person could administer an Empire the size the Romulan one was becoming. The Senate provided a forum for debate, discussion and innovation sometimes lacking under individual emperors. More and more, the Senate' responsibilities increased. The Emperor was a popular figureheadm but the senators controlled their own provinces, their own houses and, eventually, their own private armies. |
Over time, the power of the Senate waxed and the power of the Emperor waned. To the Romulan way of thinking, the Senate provided a more reliable and stable means of governing the expanding Empire. No matter how capable, no one person could administer an Empire the size the Romulan one was becoming. The Senate provided a forum for debate, discussion and innovation sometimes lacking under individual emperors. More and more, the Senate' responsibilities increased. The Emperor was a popular figureheadm but the senators controlled their own provinces, their own houses and, eventually, their own private armies. |
||
− | After the failure of the [[Vulcan War]] and the |
+ | After the failure of the [[Vulcan War]] and the deseutude of the rebuilding period, the Senate replaced the Emperor. Using their political influence at home, and marshaling their private armies, the senators convinced the Emperor to accept a lesser role, in much the same way [[Earth]]'s ancient [[English Parliament]] forced the English king to accept a constitutional monarchy. The senators did not wish to dispense with a central executive. They ealized that, although they governed the Empire more effectively, the Romulan people still needed a single figure they could look to for leadership and guidance; someone who embodied the Romulan ideal and inspired the loyalty of the populace while the Senate quielty ran the government and acted as the power behind the throne, humble servants of the Empire. That person was the Praetor. ({{rpg|ST|The Way of D'era: The Romulans}}) |
+ | One of the first Praetors of the Romulan government was known as [[Pontilus]]. ({{n|ENT|The Good That Men Do}}) In [[2279]], the position was held by [[Tahn]]. ({{n|TOS|The Pandora Principle}}) During the period of the empires isolation from galactic affairs, [[Dralath]] served as Praetor and was noted as being one of the most bloodthirsty of leaders who was responsible for ordering the destruction of the [[Klingon Empire]] colony on [[Narendra III]]. ({{n|TOS|Vulcan's Heart}}) He was deposed by [[Narviat]] who ascended to the position and attempted more radical reforms until he was assassinated by unknown elements within the government. ({{n|TOS|Exiles|Exodus}}) In [[2360]], the title was held by a male Romulan known as [[Darok (Romulan)|Darok]] who attempted to learn the secrets of a planet in the [[Romulan Neutral Zone]] called [[Hermeticus II]]. ({{n|TNG|The Romulan Prize}}) Sometime before [[2377]], [[Neral]] had become Praetor and was part of the [[Federation Alliance]] against the [[Dominion]] during the [[Dominion War]] until he was assassinated by [[Senator]] [[Hiren]] who had coveted the position. ({{rpg|ST|The Way of D'era: The Romulans}}, {{n|TOS|Exiles (TOS novel)}}) |
||
− | The first Praetor was named [[Pontilus]]. Notable Praetors of the Romulan Star Empire have included [[Dralath]], [[Narviat]], [[Neral]], and [[Hiren]]. In [[2379]], Hiren presided over a session of the Imperial Senate that as it was assassinated in its entirety by [[Shinzon of Remus]], who then assumed the title of praetor. Following Shinzon's death, his conspirator within the Senate, [[Tal'Aura]], emerged as the new praetor. ({{n1|TNG|Nemesis}}) |
||
+ | In [[2379]], Hiren along with the members of the Romulan Senate were murdered by [[Shinzon of Remus]] who was assisted in this endeavor by Senator [[Tal'Aura]]. The mad Shinzon took command of the empire as Praetor until his death in the same year. ({{m|TNG|Star Trek: Nemesis}}) In the aftermath of his death, Tal'Aura ascended to the rank of Praetor though her hold on the position was unstable due to various factions attempting to dominate the empire after Shinzons death. ({{n|TTN|Taking Wing}}) Upon the murder of Tal'Aura, many highly ranking members of the government sought to become Praetor which included [[Sela]]. However, in [[2385]], former [[Empress of the Imperial Romulan State|Empress]] [[Donatra]] decided to propel the noble Senator [[Chulan]] of the [[Line of Tellus]] to the Praetorship. [[2387|After the events]] of the [[Hobus]] star crisis, Chulan was killed by the vengeful [[Romulan Mining Guild|miner]] [[Nero (Romulan)|Nero]]. ({{web|ST|The Path to 2409}}) |
||
− | In an alternate timeline, after Tal'Aura's death, the noble senator [[Chulan]] of the [[Line of Tellus]] was selected as the new Praetor of the Romulan Star Empire. ({{web|ST|The Path to 2409}}) |
||
==Becoming Praetor== |
==Becoming Praetor== |
||
− | The Praetor of the Romulan Empire is an elected position chosen by the members of the Romulan Senate. In order to become Praetor, a candidate must be able to win the support of enough senators to ensure his election. First, the candidate must be a full-blooded Romulan. The Praetor represents the Empire and the Romulan people, and no alien can possibly do so. ( |
+ | The Praetor of the Romulan Empire is an elected position chosen by the members of the Romulan Senate. In order to become Praetor, a candidate must be able to win the support of enough senators to ensure his election. First, the candidate must be a full-blooded Romulan. The Praetor represents the Empire and the Romulan people, and no alien can possibly do so. ({{rpg|ST|The Way of D'era: The Romulans}}) |
==Role of the Praetor== |
==Role of the Praetor== |
Revision as of 14:43, 8 June 2009
- "The honor of the Praetor is the honor of the Empire." - Romulan saying.
The Praetor of the Romulan Star Empire is the head of government for the Romulan state. Officially, the Praetor is third in rank in the Empire behind the Emperor and the Emperor's Legate. In reality the Praetor is often the true power of the Empire, with the Emperor and his Legate fulfilling mainly ceremonial roles. (TOS novel: Probe)
He, or she as Romulan women can achieve the position, serves as the effective leader of the Star Empire and are the very embodiment of the Romulan ideals of honor, accomplishment, discipline, and most importantly, D'Era the destiny of the Romulan people to spread and conquer the stars. (ST module: The Way of D'era: The Romulans)
History
Originally, one person held supreme power and led the Romulan Star Empire. Often this figure was from a prominent Romulan family and rose to power by outwitting or overpowering all opposition standing between them and the throne. Thus, Romulan monarchs ruled by virtue of being the strongest, most cunning and more capable candidate. This arrangement originally suited the warlike nature of the Romulans, but under successive rulers Romulan territory expanded haphazardly. The Romulans found themselves spread thinly, and it became increasingly difficult to hold on to territory seized. Meanwhile, the Romulan people lacked a voice in their government, leading to popular uprising against unpopular leaders and further destabilizing Romulan society. The Civil War begun in 935 replaced this system with a formal Empire, and Admiral Valkis proclaimed himself Emperor Valkis I in 938.
Valkis originally established the Romulan Senate to advise him. The position of Senator initially went to the Admirals who had supported Valkis and to the leaders of the prominent Romulan families, pariciularly landowners since the Emperor needed their support and the support of the people they represented. At first, the Senate held no political power of its own. It could advise the Emperor, but did not make decisions. As the Empire grew in sie and complexity, and Romulan civilization coalesced into something beginning to resemble the modern Empire, the Emperor invested the Senate with more authority to handle many day-to-day affairs,
Over time, the power of the Senate waxed and the power of the Emperor waned. To the Romulan way of thinking, the Senate provided a more reliable and stable means of governing the expanding Empire. No matter how capable, no one person could administer an Empire the size the Romulan one was becoming. The Senate provided a forum for debate, discussion and innovation sometimes lacking under individual emperors. More and more, the Senate' responsibilities increased. The Emperor was a popular figureheadm but the senators controlled their own provinces, their own houses and, eventually, their own private armies.
After the failure of the Vulcan War and the deseutude of the rebuilding period, the Senate replaced the Emperor. Using their political influence at home, and marshaling their private armies, the senators convinced the Emperor to accept a lesser role, in much the same way Earth's ancient English Parliament forced the English king to accept a constitutional monarchy. The senators did not wish to dispense with a central executive. They ealized that, although they governed the Empire more effectively, the Romulan people still needed a single figure they could look to for leadership and guidance; someone who embodied the Romulan ideal and inspired the loyalty of the populace while the Senate quielty ran the government and acted as the power behind the throne, humble servants of the Empire. That person was the Praetor. (ST module: The Way of D'era: The Romulans)
One of the first Praetors of the Romulan government was known as Pontilus. (ENT novel: The Good That Men Do) In 2279, the position was held by Tahn. (TOS novel: The Pandora Principle) During the period of the empires isolation from galactic affairs, Dralath served as Praetor and was noted as being one of the most bloodthirsty of leaders who was responsible for ordering the destruction of the Klingon Empire colony on Narendra III. (TOS novel: Vulcan's Heart) He was deposed by Narviat who ascended to the position and attempted more radical reforms until he was assassinated by unknown elements within the government. (TOS novels: Exiles, Exodus) In 2360, the title was held by a male Romulan known as Darok who attempted to learn the secrets of a planet in the Romulan Neutral Zone called Hermeticus II. (TNG novel: The Romulan Prize) Sometime before 2377, Neral had become Praetor and was part of the Federation Alliance against the Dominion during the Dominion War until he was assassinated by Senator Hiren who had coveted the position. (ST module: The Way of D'era: The Romulans, TOS novel: Exiles (TOS novel))
In 2379, Hiren along with the members of the Romulan Senate were murdered by Shinzon of Remus who was assisted in this endeavor by Senator Tal'Aura. The mad Shinzon took command of the empire as Praetor until his death in the same year. (TNG movie: Star Trek: Nemesis) In the aftermath of his death, Tal'Aura ascended to the rank of Praetor though her hold on the position was unstable due to various factions attempting to dominate the empire after Shinzons death. (TTN novel: Taking Wing) Upon the murder of Tal'Aura, many highly ranking members of the government sought to become Praetor which included Sela. However, in 2385, former Empress Donatra decided to propel the noble Senator Chulan of the Line of Tellus to the Praetorship. After the events of the Hobus star crisis, Chulan was killed by the vengeful miner Nero. (ST website : The Path to 2409)
Becoming Praetor
The Praetor of the Romulan Empire is an elected position chosen by the members of the Romulan Senate. In order to become Praetor, a candidate must be able to win the support of enough senators to ensure his election. First, the candidate must be a full-blooded Romulan. The Praetor represents the Empire and the Romulan people, and no alien can possibly do so. (ST module: The Way of D'era: The Romulans)
Role of the Praetor
The Praetor presides over sessions of the Imperial Senate and of the Continuing Committee, controls the Romulan Imperial Fleet and, to a lesser extent, the Tal Shiar. Romulan politics is a notoriously dangerous field, however, and it is not uncommon for praetors to suffer abbreviated terms of office in comparison to other heads of government.
Rihannsu Continuity
Prior to 2276, the office of Praetor (Fvillha in Rihannsu) was not held by a single individual. The Praetorate was one of the houses of the Tricameron, together with the Senate (which was counted as two houses). At any given time, there were a dozen or so Praetors, a system which was established after the fall of the Ruling Queen T'Rehu. In the 2270s, most of the power fell into the hands of "The Three," the most cunning of the Praetors who had allied themselves. (TOS novels: The Romulan Way, The Pandora Principle)
Praetors of the Romulan Star Empire | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Romulus (primary universe) |
Pontilus • Sartorix • Colius • Comilius • D'deridex • Gileus I • Varus III • Karzan • Vrax • Gaius • Aratenik • Dralath • Darok • Narviat • Neral • Hiren • Shinzon • Tal'Aura • Gell Kamemor • Chulan • Taris • Sela | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
the Praetorate | Eveh tr'Anierh • Hloal t'Illialhlae • Ahrm'n tr'Kiell • Urellh tr'Maehhli • Gurrhim tr'Siedhri | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
judiciary praetor | Hloal t'Illialhlae | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Romulan Star Empire (Kelvin timeline) |
Bervas • Decius | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Romulan Republic (mirror universe) |
Hiren |