National Database of the Republic of Byzantium

[JEDCJT]

OOC: Yes, I do realize that I made another thread exactly like this one, but I didn't want to gravedig it. So I decided to make a new one, and one that is more comprehensive than before (more will be updated in a while). As such, OOC is limited (but welcome, as long as it doesn't clutter up this thread). Also, I'm not sure if this thread fits in this forums, but I apologize if this doesn't.

IC:

National Database: Byzantium

Official name

Republic of Byzantium

Unofficial name(s)

Byzantium, New Byzantium, Byzantine Republic, New Byzantine Republic, New Byzantine Empire, Byzantine Empire, along with others.

Flag

Red flag with a white crescent moon and star interposed with designs of the Byzantine flag

Emblem

A vertical white crescent, star, and a wolf on a red emblem

Motto

For freedom, peace, and democracy!

God bless Byzantium

Anthem

The Anthem of Independence

Capital

Constantinople

Official languages

Turkish, Greek (unofficial)

Government

Parliamentary Republic

Head of State

John Kelikark

Population

88,000,000 (2009 estimate)

Ten largest cities

1. Constantinople (14,000,000)
   
2. Ankara (4,350,000)
   
3. Athens (3,800,000)
   
4. Smyrna (3,260,000)
   
5. Tiflis (1,760,000)
   
6. Salonika (880,000)
   
7. Antalya (755,000)
   
8. Samsun (725,000)
   
9. Erzurum (361,000)
   
10. Stavropol (355,000)
    

Administrative regions

The Republic of Byzantium is comprised of several administrative levels, of which includes the following:

• Regions
  
• Provinces
  
• Districts
  

There are ten Regions (Bolgesi) and one Federal District (Bolge):

• Constantinople Federal District, Constantinople
  
• Ankara Region, Ankara
  
• Athens Region, Athens
  
• Smyrna Region, Smyrna
  
• Thrace Region, Thracepolis
  
• Kelikarkgrad Region, Kelikarkgrad
  
• Antalya Region, Antalya
  
• Samsun Region, Samsun
  
• Erzurum Region, Erzurum
  
• Edessa Region, Edessa
  
• Stavropol Region, Stavropol
  

Moreover, Byzantium is also subdivided into 93 Provinces, of which are further divided into more than a thousand Districts. The Regions are also utilized for census purposes, of which a national census is to be conducted every five years.

In addition, Byzantium is comprised of several regions, such as Anatolia, Greece, Georgia, and the Stavropol region. There is one region within Byzantium that are “autonomous” in theory:

• The Stavropol Republic
  

Edited February 12, 2009 by JEDCJT

[JEDCJT]

OOC: It's a bit long, so sorry if you fall sleep while reading this. But I love History, even alternate ones. Also, it's all made up for RP purposes, so it doesn't exactly follow the orginial timeline, even if it does look similiar. Please do pardon me for that.

IC:

History of Byzantium (up to 1923)

1900-1919

The history of Byzantium dates back thousands and thousands of years, to the time of the establishment of the Roman Republic and the subsequent Roman and Byzantine Empires. However, the seeds of modern Byzantium as it is today was duly planted in the early 20th century.

The Ottoman Empire, having experienced centuries of unprecedented degree of power, influence, and prosperity since its conquest of Byzantine Constantinople in 1453, was in terminal decline by the turn of the new century. Corruption, instability, and rising tensions in many areas of the Ottoman Empire, especially to the Sultan and his heavy-handed treatment of minorities within the Empire, led to the Young Turk Revolution in 1908. In that year, Ottoman military officers led a ‘revolution’ to revitalize the Ottoman Empire. Sultan Abdul Hamid II was forced to implement a series of reforms that launched the Second Constitutional Era. But the Revolution, despite its intent to ‘modernize’ the Ottoman Empire, brought only further problems and instability as internal pressures continued to splinter the Empire from within.

The following year, 1909, marks the beginning of the final collapse of the Ottoman Empire. In that year, the Sultan launched a ‘counterrevolution’ in an attempt to overturn the Second Constitutional Era and to reinstate the monarchy. This resulted in the strengthening of nationalist sentiment in the Ottoman Empire. The neighboring state of Greece sought to take advantage of the instability taking place in the Ottoman Empire and they began to assert their claims over Ottoman lands beginning in 1910.

In 1911 and 1912, further instability and problems led to the weakening of the Young Turks’s position within the Ottoman Empire. On 13 January 1912, a coup was launched, driving the Young Turks from power. This led in further tensions with Greece as they saw this as the opportunity to fulfill their expansionist aims. Fueled by the notions of ‘Megali Idea’ (Great Idea), the Greeks declared war on the Ottoman Empire on September 29, 1912 and launched an attack upon the Ottoman Empire with the intent of capturing the port of Smyrna and the Ottoman capital of Constantinople.

Although the Greeks succeeded mainly in capturing most of Ottoman Macedonia and Thrace and some islands (especially the Dodecanese and Aegean islands) in months of fierce fighting, they were unable to make much progress toward capturing Smyrna and Constantinople. Their decisive defeats at the Battle of Corlu in November 1912 and the Battle of Adrianople in March 1913 culminated in the Treaty of Constantinople. The treaty, signed by Greek and Ottoman representatives in Constantinople on May 30, 1913, ended what was called the First Balkan War or the First Greco-Turkish War. In the treaty, Greece received the lands that constituted its then-current borders by gaining control of Ottoman Macedonia, western Thrace, and the Dodecanese and Aegean Islands. In turn, the Ottoman Empire received approximately $30 million in compensation from Greece.

Following the Treaty, there was an increasingly uneasy peace between Greece and the Ottoman Empire. From 1913 to 1918, despite the massive compensation of $30 million, the Ottoman Empire continued to deteriorate from within. The weakness of the Empire was apparent with the Great Armenian Uprising, which broke out in the Armenian city of Van in February through March 1915. Although the uprising was crushed by the Ottoman authorities (culminating in what was and is still called the ‘Armenian Genocide’ in April), it showed to Greece -- and the world -- that the Ottoman Empire was effectively in a ’suspended state of collapse’. Despite the Treaty of Constantinople, Greek leaders and politicians clamored for the continuation of the Megali Idea, which had been suspended following the conclusion of the First Balkan War. So, beginning in 1916, Greece began to interfere in Ottoman affairs once again, asserting claims over Ottoman lands, demanding ‘special benefits’ (including but not limited to the unlimited access through the Dardanelles and Bosporus straits), and clandestinely providing support to anti-Ottoman elements within the Empire, especially in the Middle East area.

Tensions between Greece and the Ottoman Empire continued to mount throughout 1917 and much of 1918 as Athens and Constantinople continued to spew venomous words against the each other. Finally, the Second Greco-Turkish War began when Greece, without a declaration of war, suddenly attacked and decimated much of the Ottoman fleet at Smyrna on October 30, 1918, followed by a massive land offensive against eastern Thrace. The Ottoman Army, largely caught off guard, was unable to resist the Greek onslaught and were pushed back, and with catastrophic casualties. Unlike in the 1912-1913 war, the Greeks -- better-trained and equipped -- was able to capture Adrianople and Corlu, after several months of fighting, by the end of 1918. The Battle of Smyrna raged from October 1918 to February 1919, and ended in a decisive Greek victory; Greek soldiers marched down its streets.

Despite its status as the capital, and largest city, of the Ottoman Empire, Constantinople was largely undefended as most of its garrison went off to fight -- and be defeated -- at Corlu and Adrianople. As the Greeks advanced upon the city, the Ottomans frantically scrambled everything they had to defend their capital. The Battle of Constantinople, lasting until May 1919, was the largest and bloodiest war at the time -- and ended in a pyrrhic Ottoman victory. But despite the victory, the Ottomans, having suffered tremendous casualties and contending with mounting problems at home, had to sue for peace.

Edited February 11, 2009 by JEDCJT

[JEDCJT]

1919-1920

On May 15, 1919, Greek and Ottoman representatives assembled in the city of Mudros, in the Greek island of Lemnos. After hours of exhausting negotiations, the Treaty of Mudros was finally signed. Released to the Greek and Ottoman press a few days later, the Treaty was shockingly harsh. In addition of the cessation of Constantinople, Smyrna, eastern Thrace, and the Bosporus and Dardanelles Straits to Greece, the Treaty stipulated that the Ottoman Empire pay approximately $50 billion in ‘wartime reparations’ and accept ultimate responsibility for starting the war. In addition, the Ottoman Army was permanently reduced in size and the Navy dismantled. To add insult to injury, the Ottoman Empire had to relinquish its control of much of the Arabian peninsula, including Palestine, Mesopotamia, Lebanon, and Syria, among with others. Various governments were established in the newly-independent regions.

From the start, the Treaty was universally criticized and/or condemned by both sides, but especially within the Ottoman Empire. Even the Greek press denounced the ‘severity of which the Ottoman Empire had been unfairly subjected to’. It was even purported that the Sultan himself refused to leave Constantinople when Greek soldiers entered the city several days after the Treaty was signed. But as far as the Greek leaders was concerned, they had achieved the purposes of Megali Idea, and with tremendous success. Having attained much of the coveted territory, the Greek Government began preparing plans regarding the new lands, including the transfer of the capital from Athens to Constantinople and the establishment of a resurrected Byzantine Empire.

But ultimately, their ambitious plans would never be realized. Almost immediately after the Treaty of Mudros was announced, a Turkish National Movement was established in Samsun, on May 19, 1919, under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Pasha. A former general and military officer in the Ottoman Army, Kemal saw the Treaty of Mudros as an insult to ‘Turkish nationhood and sovereignty‘, the Sultan’s Government, which had signed it, as traitors, and the Greek as the “greatest enemy“. The Turkish War of Independence, launched so soon after the Second Greco-Turkish War ended, had only just begun.

The first thing for Kemal to do was to further consolidate the National Movement and to undermine the legitimacy of the weakened Ottoman Government, which had relocated to Ankara. This was duly initiated during the summer and autumn of 1919, of which Kemal declared the Turkish National Movement to be the ‘legitimate’ authority in the Anatolia region, urging the Turkish population to overthrow the Ottoman Government. The frightened Ottoman Government reacted by launching a botched military offensive against Samsun (which was easily repulsed by Kemal in October 1919) and then by organizing fresh elections (in January 1920) in an attempt to reaffirm their sovereignty.

When Kemal launched a campaign to capture Ankara, personally leading troops from Samsun, at the end of January 1920, the Ottoman Government relocated to Bursa. On February 12, 1920, Ankara fell to Kemal’s forces without a single shot; the same day, the Ottoman Government issued the Misak-i Milli (National Pact), which called for self-determination, the ‘security’ of Constantinople, and the overturning of the Treaty of Mudros. This was apparently the Sultan’s attempts to counteract Kemal’s assertions of ’sovereignty over the Anatolia region’.

This move, however, backfired. The Greeks, greatly alarmed by what they perceived as the endangerment of their sovereignty and control over their new lands, opted to move against the Ottomans in March 1920. On the 15th, Greek troops marched into Bursa and began to arrest members of the Ottoman Government, including the Sultan. The Ottoman Parliament, which had issued the Misak-i Milli, was subsequently dissolved. This was exactly what Kemal had been waiting for, however, and he lost no time into reiterating the ‘declaration of the sovereignty of the National Movement over the whole of Turkey’. The stage for the most decisive phase of the Turkish War of Independence was now set.

Edited February 11, 2009 by JEDCJT

[JEDCJT]

1920

But interestingly, despite the dissolution of the Ottoman Parliament, the Greeks resolved to retain the Sultan in Bursa as a means of ‘reasserting’ Greek superiority in Anatolia; the Sultan was effectively a Greek puppet. However, the Misak-i Milli sparked off a chain-reaction of events that would prove to be fundamental into establishing the future Republic of Turkey. While the Greek were busy arresting Ottoman politicians in Bursa, Kemal’s Nationalists were busy establishing a Parliament in Ankara, which was named the Grand National Assembly (GNA). Declaring that the “Turkish nation is called to defend its capacity for civilization, its right to life, and independence”, Kemal was making it clear that the sole legal authority was the GNA and all civilian and military personnel would have to obey the Government in Ankara instead of the one in Bursa -- and that the Greeks would have to leave Anatolia. The GNA duly met for the first time in April 1920, and Kemal was elected the first President.

Aware of the growing power of the Turkish nationalists in the guise of the GNA, the Greeks concluded a Treaty of Friendship with the Sultan in August 1920. Termed the Mets Treaty, signed in the Mets neighborhood of Athens on the 20th, it declared that the ‘animosity between Greece and the Ottoman Empire were thus over’. It also recognized and affirmed Ottoman recognition and support of Greek sovereignty over Constantinople and the Dardanelles in turn for Greek protection of the Sultan in Bursa.

However, Kemal and the GNA immediately condemned the Treaty. Declaring that the Mets Treaty was the “greatest travesty ever agreed upon and signed in all of history”, Kemal accused the Greeks of making further designs on Turkish territory at Ottoman expense. He vowed to continue fighting the Greeks and their ’Ottoman brethrens’ until they were out of Anatolia for good. Thus, in September 1920, Kemal ordered his army to seize Istanbul (as he called Constantinople) and Bursa. This put the GNA in direct conflict with the Greeks.

As Kemal’s men marched toward Constantinople and Bursa, Greek ships and artillery guns near the Dardanelles began raining shells after shells upon them, inflicting heavy casaulties. In heavy fighting, both the Greeks and Ottomans drove the nationalists back. Continuing on the attack, the Greeks occupied the city of Eskisehir in October 1920; Antalya fell in November. But despite such victories, Kemal’s army had largely succeeded into stemming the offensive into a stalemate by the end of the year.

With the front stabilized by the end of 1920, Kemal’s attention turned to the east. It would be in 1921 that the nationalists would make impressive gains.

[JEDCJT]

1920-1922

The Republic of Armenia, long a part of the Ottoman Empire, had seceded from the Empire in 1919 under the terms of the Treaty of Mudros. Almost immediately, the new Republic began establishing its own designs on Ottoman territory, especially the Armenian-populated parts of Anatolia (Kars and Van). Tensions inevitably resulted between the Armenians and the Ottomans -- and also Kemal’s Nationalists. At Greece’s urgings, however, the Armenians launched an attack into Ottoman territory, occupying both Van and Kars in February 1920, around the same time Ankara fell to Kemal’s forces and the issuing of the Misak-i Milli. Both the Ottomans and the Turks protested at this, but there was nothing they could do about it.

That is, until the autumn of 1920. Kemal, having established his government in Ankara, decided to do something about the Armenians. In September 1920, Kemal ordered his troops to advance into Armenian-occupied Anatolia (at the same time, he was ordering an offensive against the Greeks). The Armenian Government declared war on the GNA, but a long and bloody war ensued. Battles raged in and around the cities of Kars, Van, Oltu, and eventually Gyumri (all were captured by the Turks) for much of late 1920, culminating in an armistice on December 3, 1920.

With the fronts finally stabilized, Kemal utilized the time to further consolidate his forces for future offensives against the Greeks and Armenians. Beginning in late February 1921, Kemal massed troops on the Armenian front again, and on March 12th, thousands of Turkish troops resumed the advance from Gyumri, quickly converging upon Yerevan, the Armenian capital. Largely caught off-guard, the Armenians were forced to sue for peace. Assembling in the city of Kars, Turkish and Armenian representatives hammered out a peace treaty. Signed on May 19, 1921, the second anniversary of the establishment of the Turkish National Movement, the Treaty of Kars set the new boundaries at the Akhurian and Aras rivers, granted the GNA over 50 percent of Armenian territory, reaffirmed Turkish sovereignty over the new areas, and stipulated that Armenia disarm her armed forces in the ‘interests of peace’.

With the war against the Armenians concluded, Kemal turned his attentions to the Greeks once again. Desiring for a rematch, the future ‘Father of the Turkish Nation’ sent thousands of troops charging toward the Greeks. Furious battles raged for much of mid-1921 as Greek and Turkish troops fought for control of Anatolia. The Battle of Afyonkarahiar, fought in June-July 1921, ended in a Greek victory -- but the Greeks and their Ottoman allies were decisively crushed in the Battle of Sakarya in September 1921. Continuing on the attack, Kemal’s troops swept into Antalya, Mersin, and Adana. As exhausted Greek and Ottoman troops reeled back to Bursa and Constantinople, it was clear that the Turks now had the initiative.

But despite so, a stalemate ensued once again for the rest of 1921 and early 1922 as Greek and Turkish soldiers reinforced their positions and prepared for yet another battle. But Kemal was determined still; in December 1921 and again in February 1922, he launched probing attacks along the front that further exacerbated Greek casaulties and drained morale. The Greeks, exhausted by several years of war and contending with mounting internal crises, offered to negotiate an end to the fighting. But Kemal, determined that “no inch of Turkish soil shall be left to the Greeks”, rejected the deal outright. The war would continue, he said, until the Greeks were out of Anatolia. For much of 1922, Kemal intensified efforts to prepare his army for another offensive.

Finally, the storm broke out when Kemal launched his ’Great Offensive’ in late August 1922. The Greeks and Ottomans, increasingly fatigued, exhausted, and demoralized, were forced to retreat in the face of the Turkish onslaught. The Greeks did fight back, however, launching several counterattacks. But they were decisively defeated in the Battle of Dumulupinar on the last day of August 1922, losing much of their men and equipment. Realizing that the situation at the front “was all but lost”, the Greek government reluctantly ordered a retreat to Smyrna, where the Greeks could regroup and consolidate their positions.

But the Turks were hot on their trail; harrying the exhausted Greek and Ottoman forces back to Smyrna, the Turks turned what would’ve been a orderly retreat into a rout. As the Turks converged upon Smyrna in early September 1922, there was a considerable panic in the city as the Greeks hurriedly evacuated thousands of their soldiers and citizens into ships that would take them back home to Greece. On the 9th, Smyrna fell to Kemal’s troops and almost immediately a massive fire devastated the city for several days afterwards. The Greek dream of a Byzantine Empire was all but shattered. Canakkale, the gateway to the Dardanelles, fell a week later.

With that, the only remaining major obstacle was Constantinople, the former Ottoman capital. Kemal restarted efforts to recapture the city, but the Greeks were better fortified and prepared there. The Second Battle of Constantinople, as it was called, raged for the rest of 1922 as Greek and Turkish soldiers fought for control of the city. Only Greek ships in the Sea of Marmara were able to tip the balance in the Greeks’ favor, but both sides were thoroughly exhausted. As the battle lapsed into a stalemate in February 1923, Kemal finally agreed to enter into negotiations with the Greeks -- but only on his own terms. Difficult negotiations ensued for several months afterwards as the Greeks and Turks were unable to come to an agreement regarding Constantinople. Finally, on July 24, 1923, Turkish and Greek representatives signed the Treaty of Bursa. In accordance to the repudiating of the Treaty of Mudros and the Mets Treaty, the Treaty restored Constantinople and eastern Thrace to Turkish control; established the boundaries of Greece and Turkey; granted Greek recognition of Turkish sovereignty; nullified any financial concessions; granted protection of Greek minorities in Turkey (and the same otherwise); and ceded Turkish claims to the Dodecanese Islands and other lands.

With that, the Turkish War of Independence (also called the ‘Third Greco-Turkish War’) was now over. Several months later, the Republic of Turkey was officially proclaimed in Ankara in October 1923, replacing the Ottoman Empire. Although the Sultan was allowed to remain in Greece, he lost his throne with the abolishment of the Sultanate in November 1923 and the Caliphate in March 1924. The age of a Republic had now begun.

OOC: Phew! It's done. I would continue, but then, it would be far too long and would probably bore ya to tears. But still, I hope you enjoyed this.

[JEDCJT]

Demographics of Byzantium

Population

As of 2009, the Republic of Byzantium has the recorded population of 88 million citizens with a growth rate of 0.140% per annum. The majority of the population live in western and central Anatolia, southwestern and northeastern Greece, and central Georgia. Most of them live in major population centers, especially Constantinople, Ankara, Smyrna, Athens, and Tiflis, and others. It is estimated that as many as 90% of the population live within city limits, with the other 10% living in the countryside.

Religion

Byzantium is a predominantly Christian state, and with approximately 95% of the populace being Christians (Catholic and Greek Orthodox). Most of the Anatolian region profess to be Catholic, while most of the Greek regions are Greek Orthodox. As many as 95% of Byzantine citizens professed belief in God. Although Christianity is a state religion in Byzantium, other religions are allowed and tolerated -- although they are strongly discouraged. They include, to a much lesser degree, Islam and Judaism. Atheism is virtually nonexistent in Byzantium.

Ethnicity

The population of Byzantium is predominantly Turk. It is comprised of Turks, Greeks, Georgians, Abkhazians, Arabs, Azeris, Chechens, Jews, Kurds, Ossetians, Russians, among with so many others. There is a longstanding notion that the Byzantine people are a nation in the sense that they share a common bond, culture, and tongue rather than citizenship, religion, or subjectivity. According to a recent government report, there were approximately 60 million citizens of ethnic Turkish descent, 11 million Greeks, 4 million Georgians, 4 million Russians, 3 million Circassians, 1 million Jews, 500,000 Azeris, 500,000 Laz, 200,000 Arabs, 150,000 Kurds, 100,000 Ossetians, and millions of others.

Education and Literacy

Education is mandatory for all people; it is compulsive for people aged 5 to 18, although the Government subsidizes education for these in the 5 to 15 age group only. A broad subjects are taught in all levels of education and are included in the educational curriculum, including but not limited to: Mathematics, Literature, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Byzantine History, and Geography, and as such. The Turkish language is mandatory in Byzantine schools.

There are four levels of schools in the Byzantine educational system:

• Preschool
  
• Elementary School
  
• Undergraduate School
  
• University
  

Preschool is compulsory for children aged 3 to 5, and it aims to provide basic education that would prepare them for higher basic education by the time that they advance into Elementary School. They shall learn reading and writing skills; social and communication skills; mathematical awareness and development; and other things.

Elementary School shall utilize the same curriculum for the development of children aged 6 to 14, and shall include primary education. Students will take classes according to their knowledge and skills. They shall learn literacy, numeracy, science, geography, history, and other aspects. This is to prepare them for Undergraduate School.

The basic purpose of Undergraduate School (the equivalent of a High School) is to provide secondary education to Byzantine citizens, of which can be used to further expand their developing literacy, mathematical, communication, social, and prowess skills. It lasts for five years, from the ages of 14 to 19.

Literacy

Due to extensive educational efforts, the literacy rate in Byzantium is reported to be 100%. However, a closer look would indicate that the literacy rate among men is 97% and 98% among women, and with the overall average of 97.5%.

Language

Turkish is the official language (and state language) of the Republic of Byzantium. It is the sole language in Byzantium that is allowed for administrative purposes, although a wide variety of languages are allowed. Languages includes, but is not limited to: Greek, Georgian, Kurdish, Armenian, Azeri, Laz, Russian, Circassian, and many others. Approximately 98%+ of the populace speaks Turkish, although a considerable percentage are able to speak the other languages listed above.

Life Expectancy

According to government statistics in 2008, the life expectancy for men stood at around 72.5 years and 76.8 years for women, averaging an overall 74.65 years for the population as a whole.

Edited February 12, 2009 by JEDCJT

[Subtleknifewielder]

OOC: I enjoyed it. Now all that's missing is the to eat while I read that novel...

[JEDCJT]

Government and Politics

Byzantium is a parliamentary Republic, although it is established in a federated system of administration. The Constitution of the Republic of Byzantium establishes the legal and administration system of the country, and affirms of the principles of Government and consolidates Byzantium as a centralized state. The current Constitution was recently put into effect by Kelikark on February 9th, 2009, and it remains in effect to this day. The Constitution affirms the sovereignty of the Republic of Byzantium, protects personal freedoms and rights, assures equality before the law, and upholds duties of the State, along with others.

The Head of State, as outlined in the Constitution, is the Leader of the Republic of Byzantium who reigns for life; he is also the head of the ruling Party. Executive and legislative power is exercised by the Leader through the Parliament (Meclis), and this is assured and protected by the Constitution. The judiciary is controlled by the Leader and exercised through regional, provincial, and local courts, although there is no central Constitutional Court to interpret laws and decrees in accordance to the Constitution.

The Meclis is the unicameral legislature body of the Republic of Byzantium. It is generally consisted of 550 members, who are elected for three-year terms through a hundred of electoral districts that represents the 93 Provinces of Byzantium. The National Party, led by the Leader, is the current ruling party and holds an absolute majority in the Meclis, holding all 550 seats. Until recently, the National Party was the sole legal party allowed in Byzantium; the Politicization Act signed into law by Leader John Kelikark allowed for the establishment of two minor political parties, the Progressive and Development Party and the Freedom and Solidarity Party. Members of these parties are directly appointed by the National Party, and with the Leader’s approval. It is rumored that elections will be held soon as to give these two parties some of the share of the seats in the Meclis. The Meclis has the power to ban any political party at any time if it deems these ‘endangering Byzantium’s sovereignty’ and the like.

The current Speaker of the Meclis is Koksal Toptan. The responsibilities of the Speaker of the Senate is to moderate debate, provide suggestions, make ruling on procedure (with the Leader’s approval), announce vote results, and to present the ruling Party as a whole. The Speaker of the Meclis is appointed by the Meclis, with the Leader’s approval.

[JEDCJT]

Army of Byzantium (Byzantine Kara Kuvvetleri): (500,000 troops total)

The Byzantine Army is comprised of 500,000 troops total. Out of that, 300,000 are on active basis, while 150,000 are in reserve. 50,000 Ozel Ops (Special Ops) are also utilized by the Army for special operations and similar purposes. Citizens aged 20 to 45 are required to serve in the Army for a period of two to three years; exemptions may be granted depending on the individual’s status, conditions, circumstances, and the like. Citizens not currently in the military are required by law to enlist in the National Guard. The Army is comprised of the following:

• 1st Corps (50,000)
  
• 2nd Corps (50,000)
  
• 3rd Corps (50,000)
  
• 4th Corps (50,000)
  
• 5th Corps (50,000)
  
• 6th Corps (50,000)
  

The 1st and 3rd Corps constitutes the 1st Army Group, which is headquartered in Amida (formerly Diyarbakir). Its chief responsibility is defending southeastern Anatolia, Georgia, and the Stavropol Republic -- especially the Erzurum Military District.

The 2nd and 4th Corps constitutes the 2nd Army Group, and are entrusted with the defense of northwestern Anatolia, Thrace, and Greece. With its headquarters in Kirklarel (formerly Kirklareli), they are responsible for the Constantinople and Athens Military Districts.

Lastly, the 5th and 6th Corps, centered in Iconium (formerly Konya), comprises the 3rd Army Group, and are tasked with the defense of central and southwest Anatolia, especially the Ankara and Smyrna Military Districts.

In addition, the Army reserves are divided into three corps:

• 7th Reserve Corps (50,000)
  
• 8th Reserve Corps (50,000)
  
• 9th Reserve Corps (50,000)
  

The responsibilities of the reserve corps are to maintain law and order behind the lines in times of war, and to provide additional manpower when needed. The 7th and 9th Reserve Corps are stationed in Edessa and Van; the 8th Reserve Corps is stationed in Ankara. Reserve troops are required to serve in the Army for a period of three years, minimum. The Ozel Ops are stationed in Constantinople.

Edited February 12, 2009 by JEDCJT

[JEDCJT]

Navy of Byzantium (Byzantine Deniz Kuvvetleri): (59 ships total)

Corvettes (9 ships): Ship’s name/Base

• Heybeliada - Constantinople
  
• Kandiye - Constantinople
  
• Anatolia - Smyrna
  
• Europa - Smyrna
  
• Milgem - Antalya
  
• Buyuk - Antalya
  
• Ada - Constantinople
  
• Bursa - Athens
  
• Ordu - Athens
  

Landing Crafts (9 ships): Ship’s name/Base

• Gazi - Antalya
  
• Osman - Antalya
  
• Saruca - Mersin
  
• Bey - Mersin
  
• Ertugel - Samsun
  
• Tank - Samsun
  
• Izmir - Ordu
  
• Abdullah - Ordu
  
• Millet - Smyrna
  

Battleships (8 ships): Ship’s name/Base

• Kelikark - Constantinople
  
• Byzantium - Constantinople
  
• Smyrna - Smyrna
  
• Tiflis - Athens
  
• Kemal - Antalya
  
• Trevelyan - Mersin
  
• Turkiye - Patras
  
• Van - Poti
  

Cruisers (7 ships): Ship’s name/Base

• Salonika - Salonika
  
• Patras - Salonika
  
• Ankara - Smyrna
  
• Alexandretta - Constantinople
  
• Alek - Antalya
  
• Sparta - Antalya
  
• Midilli - Kandiye
  

Frigates (7 ships): Ship’s name/Base

• Barbaros - Antalya
  
• Salih - Mersin
  
• Reis - Kandiye
  
• Yavuz - Kandiye
  
• Genesis - Smyrna
  
• Perry - Constantinople
  
• Kelikark - Athens
  

Destroyers (7 ships): Ship’s name/Base

• Athina - Athens
  
• Heraklion - Kandiye
  
• [i]Istanbul - Samsun
  
• Amida[/i] - Antalya
  
• Patra - Poti
  
• Odysseus - Constantinople
  
• Penelope - Smyrna
  

Submarines (6 ships): Ship’s name/Base

• Kelikark - Constantinople
  
• Odyssey - Kandiye
  
• Ithaca - Smyrna
  
• Corinth - Antalya
  
• Sulla - Samsun
  
• Augustus - Poti
  

Aircraft Carriers (6 ships): Ship’s name/Base

• Constantinople - Constantinople
  
• Ankara - Constantinople
  
• Smyrna - Smyrna
  
• Roma - Mersin
  
• Kelikark - Antalya
  
• Salonika - Athens
  

[JEDCJT]

OOC: This was inspired in part by Pravus Ingruo's thread. So, I must give some credit to him, and thanks to him for the inspiration. Danke.

IC:

Air Force of Byzantium (Byzantine Hava Kuvvetleri): (1,360 aircrafts total)

Fighters/Bombers (256 aircrafts): Squadron/Base

• 1st Assault Squadron - Constantinople
  
• 2nd Assault Squadron - Constantinople
  
• 3rd Assault Squadron - Ankara
  
• 4th Assault Squadron - Ankara
  
• 5th Assault Squadron - Smyrna
  
• 6th Assault Squadron - Smyrna
  
• 7th Assault Squadron - Athens
  
• 8th Assault Squadron - Athens
  
• 9th Assault Squadron - Tiflis
  
• 10th Assault Squadron - Tiflis
  
• 11th Assault Squadron - Van
  
• 12th Assault Squadron - Van
  
• 13th Assault Squadron - Salonika
  
• 14th Assault Squadron - Salonika
  
• 15th Assault Squadron - Stavropol
  
• 16th Assault Squadron - Stavropol
  

Interceptors (576 aircrafts): Squadron/Base

• 1st Interceptor Squadron - Constantinople
  
• 2nd Interceptor Squadron - Constantinople
  
• 3rd Interceptor Squadron - Athens
  
• 4th Interceptor Squadron - Athens
  
• 5th Interceptor Squadron - Antalya
  
• 6th Interceptor Squadron - Antalya
  
• 7th Interceptor Squadron - Tiflis
  
• 8th Interceptor Squadron - Tiflis
  
• 9th Interceptor Squadron - Smyrna
  
• 10th Interceptor Squadron - Smyrna
  
• 11th Interceptor Squadron - Stavropol
  
• 12th Interceptor Squadron - Stavropol
  
• 13th Interceptor Squadron - Ankara
  
• 14th Interceptor Squadron - Ankara
  
• 15th Interceptor Squadron - Salonika
  
• 16th Interceptor Squadron - Salonika
  
• 17th Interceptor Squadron - Van
  
• 18th Interceptor Squadron - Van
  
• 1st National Defense Squadron - Constantinople
  
• 2nd National Defense Squadron - Ankara
  
• 3rd National Defense Squadron - Ankara
  
• 4th National Defense Squadron - Athens
  
• 5th National Defense Squadron - Athens
  
• 6th National Defense Squadron - Stavropol
  
• 7th National Defense Squadron - Stavropol
  
• 8th National Defense Squadron - Tiflis
  
• 9th National Defense Squadron - Tiflis
  
• 10th National Defense Squadron - Antalya
  
• 11th National Defense Squadron - Antalya
  
• 12th National Defense Squadron - Salonika
  
• 13th National Defense Squadron - Salonika
  
• 14th National Defense Squadron - Smyrna
  
• 15th National Defense Squadron - Smyrna
  
• 16th National Defense Squadron - Constantinople
  
• 17th National Defense Squadron - Van
  
• 18th National Defense Squadron - Van
  

Naval-Based Fighters (320 aircrafts): Squadron/ship

• 1st Naval Squadron - Constantinople
  
• 2nd Naval Squadron - Constantinople
  
• 3rd Naval Squadron - Constantinople
  
• 4th Naval Squadron - Salonika
  
• 5th Naval Squadron - Salonika
  
• 6th Naval Squadron - Salonika
  
• 7th Naval Squadron - Ankara
  
• 8th Naval Squadron - Ankara
  
• 9th Naval Squadron - Ankara
  
• 10th Naval Squadron - Roma
  
• 11th Naval Squadron - Roma
  
• 12th Naval Squadron - Roma
  
• 13th Naval Squadron - Kelikark
  
• 14th Naval Squadron - Kelikark
  
• 15th Naval Squadron - Kelikark
  
• 14th Naval Squadron - Smyrna
  
• 15th Naval Squadron - Smyrna
  
• 16th Naval Squadron - Smyrna
  
• 17th Naval Squadron - Constantinople
  
• 18th Naval Squadron - Kelikark
  
• 19th Naval Squadron - Constantinople
  
• 20th Naval Squadron - Ankara
  

Troop transports (80 aircrafts): Squadron/Base

• 1st Airborne Squadron - Constantinople
  
• 2nd Airborne Squadron - Ankara
  
• 3rd Airborne Squadron - Athens
  
• 4th Airborne Squadron - Tiflis
  
• 5th Airborne Squadron - Van
  

Special Operations (128 aircrafts): Squadron/Base

• 1st Ozel Ops Squadron - Constantinople
  
• 2nd Ozel Ops Squadron - Ankara
  
• 3rd Ozel Ops Squadron - Smyrna
  
• 1st Operations Squadron - Athens
  
• 2nd Operations Squadron - Van
  

Cargo (48 aircrafts): Squadron/Base

• 1st Cargo Squadron - Constantinople
  
• 2nd Cargo Squadron - Ankara
  
• 3rd Cargo Squadron - Athens
  

[JEDCJT]

Foreign Relations

The Republic of Byzantium currently holds relations with most of the world, although it’s close to a save few, especially the United Francoist Empire, the Eastern Union, the Dilberian Empire, and the Imperium of America, of which all its currently holds Mutual Defense Pacts (and its variants) with. It also has an MDP with Vaule, which are currently suspended due to past actions; Byzantium also holds a Non-Aggression Pact (NAP) with the Kingdom of Viniland and the neighboring Gebivian Empire, respectively. It also hosts and holds Embassies all over the world (although that has declined in recent times), of which the databases are maintained and updated by the State Ministry of the Republic of Byzantium.

Byzantium is also a current member of the Grand Army of Europe (GAE), an organization established by the United Francoist Empire to maintain peace, law, and order on the European Continent. For a time, Byzantium was once a part of the United European States (UES), the Diamond of Love (DoL), the Asian Nations Coalition Agreement (ANCA), along with others. For several years after being granted independence by the Rebel Army, Byzantium was once the Republic of Turkey before being transformed into the New Byzantine Empire. Upon joining with several other nations to form the Republic of Nova Roma, the Empire was converted into the Province of Byzantium. For a brief time, Byzantium was a part of a continental entity named Magna Europa; the ensuing Nationalist revolution eventually led to the instituting of the current name, the Republic of Byzantium.

In the forms of the Republic of Turkey and the New Byzantine Empire, Byzantium played a considerable part in international affairs, engaging into campaigns to eliminate terrorism (especially the defunct World Anarchy Front), signing various deals with other nations, and other things. Following the Nationalist revolution and the ensuing ‘civil war’, Byzantium entered a phase of isolation. However, with its ascendancy to the Grand Army of Europe, Byzantium is increasingly getting involved in world and international affairs once again. Currently, the major foreign policy of Byzantium concerns maintaining peace, law, and stability not only in Europe, but also the rest of the world.

Edited February 12, 2009 by JEDCJT