The Basileía of the Romans has returned to the League of Hellenistic Micronations as an Ethnic member, resuming full membership after a period as an observer dating from May 2023.
The League’s official membership page now lists Rhōmanía among its full members. The return renews an institutional connection with an organisation in which the Basileía previously played an active diplomatic role. It follows a period of reduced external engagement, described in the State’s official historical account as a deliberate isolationist policy.
Membership and continuity
Ethnic membership is a category of full membership, distinct from observer status. The distinction between Ethnic and Associate members took effect on 25 November 2024.
Ethnic members are designated on the basis of Hellenistic descent, while other full members are designated Associates. Both categories carry equal standing, rights and responsibilities. The designation therefore distinguishes the basis of membership rather than establishing a higher rank within the organisation.
Rhōmanía first joined the League on 21 July 2020, according to the Basileía’s official historical account. That account also records observer status from 27 May 2023, although its foreign-relations section has not yet incorporated the return to full membership.
The Basileús, Emmanuel I & II, served as the League’s Secretary-General from 9 May 2020 to 1 February 2021. Earlier participation also included diplomatic initiatives: as reported by The Imperial Tribune in July 2020, Rhōmanía brought a proposal concerning Turkish actions towards Greece and Cyprus before the League’s Synod, leading to a joint statement.
A return after reduced engagement
Relations with the organisation have not been without reservations. In July 2022, the Tribune reported the Basileús’s dissatisfaction with the League’s trajectory. The paper’s September 2026 coverage subsequently referred to Rhōmanía’s withdrawal from full membership and distinguished organisational contacts from bilateral treaty relations.
The present membership change does not, on the evidence available, establish whether separate bilateral arrangements have been concluded or whether previously stated diplomatic reservations have been resolved.
Founded by Imvrassia on 6 October 2016, the League provides a forum for Greek-speaking and Hellenistic micronations. Its predecessor Commonwealth dates from 25 November 2013. Its stated objectives include diplomacy, cooperation, the promotion of Greek language and culture, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
The Basileía’s return thus restores full participation in a longstanding forum of the Hellenistic micronational community, following more than three years in the observer category.
DATELINE: NOVO ASHUKOVO, RHŌMANÍA (RNA) Emperor John VI Kantakouzenos presiding over the Council of Constantinople of 1351, from a manuscri...
DATELINE: NOVO ASHUKOVO, RHŌMANÍA (RNA)
Emperor John VI Kantakouzenos presiding over the Council of Constantinople of 1351, from a manuscript of the 1370s Image: Wikimedia Commons, public domain
His Orthodox Imperial & Royal Majesty Emmanuel I & II, Basileus and Autokrator of the Romans, has appointed Georgios Akropolites as Megas Mesazon of the Basileía of the Romans. The appointment was made by Imperial Decree ΒΔ11/7535-22-ΟΚΤ, On the appointment of Georgios Akropolites as Megas Mesazon, given at Nea Assoukovia (Novo Ashukovo) on 22 October and published in the Imperial Gazette the same day.
The new Megas Mesazon's birth name has not been disclosed. In Rhōmanía he is known as Georgios Akropolites.
The decree
ΒΔ11 was issued alongside ΒΔ10, which, as reported yesterday by The Imperial Tribune, adopted the consolidated Fundamental Laws. Its preamble states that the office was required “for the countersignature of Decree No. ΒΔ10/7535-22-ΟΚΤ and for the conduct of the Government” under the new Fundamental Laws.
Under Article I, the appointment takes effect from 22 October and “from before his countersignature” of ΒΔ10. Article II defines the Megas Mesazon as “the head of government”, who advises the Basileús, reports to him on the conduct of the Government, and directs and coordinates the Logothetes. Article III confirms and ratifies the countersignature he gave to ΒΔ10 as the one the Fundamental Laws require. Article IV provides that he continues in office under the Fundamental Laws now in force without further appointment. Article V orders the decree's publication with ΒΔ10 and its entry in the register of laws and Imperial Decrees.
The office under the Fundamental Laws
The Fundamental Laws, in force since their publication in the Gazette on 22 October, leave the appointment and dismissal of the Megas Mesazon to the absolute discretion of the Basileús. The Megas Mesazon presides over the Council of Logothetes, the Cabinet of the Basileía. He nominates the Logothetes, whose appointment requires the prior approval of the Boule of the Demos. The designations and departments of the Logothetes are to be fixed by law or by Imperial Decree on his advice.
He, or the competent Logothete, countersigns every law, Imperial Decree and Imperial Ordinance and assumes responsibility for it. He is responsible to the Basileús and accountable to the Boule of the Demos. The Imperial Chancery, which publishes the Imperial Gazette and keeps the archives, seals and official websites of the Basileía, forms part of his Office.
The Gazette has also published the full texts of Decrees ΒΔ1 to ΒΔ6, issued between January and March 2021, under their original titles and dates. The Fundamental Laws require every earlier decree whose full text has not been published to appear in the Gazette within 180 days.
The historical mesazon
The mesazon, literally “the one in the middle”, emerged in the twelfth century under the Komnenian emperors as the official standing between the emperor and the administration. Under the Palaiologoi he became, in practice, the emperor's chief minister. Nikephoros Choumnos and Theodore Metochites served Andronikos II in that capacity, and Demetrios Kydones served John VI Kantakouzenos and John V.
DATELINE: NOVO ASHUKOVO, RHŌMANÍA (RNA) Emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos presenting a chrysobull to Christ, from the chrysobull for the Me...
DATELINE: NOVO ASHUKOVO, RHŌMANÍA (RNA)
Emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos presenting a chrysobull to Christ, from the chrysobull for the Metropolis of Monemvasia, 1301 Image: Wikimedia Commons, public domain
The Basileía of the Romans now has a single, consolidated text of its Fundamental Laws. His Orthodox Imperial & Royal Majesty Emmanuel I & II, Basileus and Autokrator of the Romans, adopted the text on 22 October by Imperial Decree ΒΔ10/7535-22-ΟΚΤ, On the adoption of the Fundamental Laws of the Basileía of the Romans. The decree was given at Nea Assoukovia (Novo Ashukovo) and published in the Imperial Gazette the same day.
The decree is brief. It cites “the need for a single, consolidated and authentic text of the Fundamental Laws of the Basileía”. It adopts the annexed text in six Books and provides that the Fundamental Laws “enter into force upon that publication” in the Gazette. The decree is countersigned by Georgios Akropolites as Megas Mesazon, who was appointed by a separate decree, ΒΔ11, issued the same day.
What it replaces
Under the decree, every prior text of the Fundamental Laws is replaced. These texts are to be “preserved in the official archives and the register and marked as superseded, not deleted”.
The text previously displayed on rhomania.cc has accordingly been moved to an archive page, together with an earlier version embedded in the site. Both are marked as having no legal force. The consolidated text is published at rhomania.cc/p/fundamental-laws.html.
Earlier Imperial Decrees, including ΒΔ1 to ΒΔ9, remain in force insofar as they are consistent with the new text. Any decree whose full text has not been published must be published in the Gazette within 180 days or it ceases to have effect. Persons holding office under the prior texts continue in office until replaced.
The Basileús
Book I keeps the Declaration of Independence of 19 May 2012. Book II restates the name of the State, the demonym Roman, and the form of government: “an elective constitutional monarchy, led by the Basileús and Autokrátōr”. The Throne is at Constantinople, the Throne of the Helladic Themes at New Constantinople, and the seat of government at Hagiopolis. Book II also fixes the flag, the arms of State, the Akathist to the Theotokos as national anthem, and Greek, English and Szredian as official languages.
Book III, the Basilikos, describes the Basileús as “sacred and inviolable”. He is elected by public ballot for a five-year term and may be re-elected. Except where the text gives him absolute discretion, he acts on the advice of the Council of Logothetes. Discretionary matters include appointing and dismissing the Megas Mesazon, selecting a Basileús Sebastokrátōr, and the affairs of the Imperial House. The Basileús may be impeached by a two-thirds vote in each chamber.
Megas Mesazon, Logothetes and Chancery
The text creates the office of Megas Mesazon, “who is the head of government”. He advises the Basileús, reports to him on the conduct of the Government, and directs and coordinates the Logothetes, the ministers of the Basileía. Together they form the Council of Logothetes, the Cabinet.
Logothetes are appointed on the Megas Mesazon's nomination, with the prior approval of the Boule of the Demos. Every law, Imperial Decree and Imperial Ordinance must be countersigned by the Megas Mesazon or the competent Logothete, except acts done in the Basileús's absolute discretion.
The Antibasileús, previously head of government, becomes a ceremonial title only. A Regent bears it during an extended Regency, and it confers no power. References in existing law to the Antibasileús as head of government are to be read as references to the Megas Mesazon.
The Imperial Chancery is placed within the Office of the Megas Mesazon. It authenticates and publishes instruments, keeps a public register of laws and decrees, and has custody of the archives, seals and official websites. The Imperial Gazette is named “the sole official journal of record of the Basileía”.
The text also states that The Imperial Tribune is a news-reporting newspaper with no official function. Its reporting of any instrument “confers no authority and has no legal effect”.
Parliament, courts and transition
Book IV establishes two chambers. The Gerousia is the upper house, whose members the Basileús appoints from among the Dukes; it cannot be dissolved. The Boule of the Demos is the lower house, elected by the citizens. Only Roman citizens may sit in the Gerousia. The text contains no separate chapter on citizenship or rights.
Book V vests judicial power in the courts. The Court of the General Judges of the Romans serves as final court of appeal and rules on the interpretation of the Fundamental Laws.
Amendments will require two-thirds of the total membership of each chamber. Under the transitional provisions, the Gerousia is to be appointed within ninety days and the first elections to the Boule held within twelve months. Until then, the Basileús may legislate by decree only as far as needed to constitute the chambers and maintain the ordinary administration, and no amendment may be made. The English text is authoritative until a Greek text is promulgated.
DATELINE: NOVO ASHUKOVO, RHŌMANÍA (RNA) The Imperial Government has announced emergency public health measures following a confirmed case o...
DATELINE: NOVO ASHUKOVO, RHŌMANÍA (RNA)
The Imperial Government has announced emergency public health measures following a confirmed case of Coxsackie virus infection in a citizen of the Basileía of the Romans, ordering a strict quarantine in Novo Ashukovo and preventive restrictions in New Constantinople.
The measures, promulgated under Imperial Decree ΒΔ9/7535-10-ΟΚΤ by His Imperial Majesty Emmanuel, Basileus and Autokrator of the Romans, are intended to contain the potential spread of the virus and protect the health and safety of the Roman people.
Novo Ashukovo placed under strict quarantine
Under the decree, Novo Ashukovo shall be subject to immediate strict quarantine. Unnecessary entry into and departure from the settlement will be prohibited, with the restrictions remaining in force until the competent authorities determine that the public health risk has sufficiently subsided, currently estimated for the 22nd of October.
Imperial authorities are expected to coordinate enforcement with the relevant health officials, ensuring that the quarantine is observed while the situation is assessed.
Preventive measures introduced in New Constantinople
New Constantinople, the seat of government of the Helladic Themes, will meanwhile enter a state of preventive quarantine. Citizens are urged to avoid unnecessary travel and contact, while public gatherings and non-essential movement are to be restricted as part of the preventive response. An Imperial visit to N. Constantinople is scheduled for tomorrow, to address further measures.
The authorities have emphasized the importance of hygiene, vigilance, and responsible civic conduct in limiting the possibility of further transmission.
The Empire calls for calm and discipline
The Imperial Government has called upon all citizens to comply with the newly enacted measures, stressing that the protection of public health requires cooperation between the authorities and the population. The Government has also confirmed that H.O.I.R.M. Emmanuel I & II is unaffected and in good health.
Coxsackie is a contagious enterovirus (Group A and Group B) belonging to the picornavirus family. Althugh most frequent in children under 10 years old (especially in daycares and schools), adults can also catch it
Although the restrictions are significant, their stated purpose is preventive: to contain the risk before further infections occur. Their duration will depend on subsequent assessments by the competent authorities, with any lifting of restrictions to be formally announced.
The Imperial decree concludes with an appeal to civic duty and solidarity, reaffirming the state's responsibility to safeguard its citizens and preserve public order during the present situation.
The Imperial Tribune will continue to report on further official announcements concerning the quarantine measures.
DATELINE: Novo Ashukovo, Rhomania (RNA) HOIRM Basileús Emmanuel I & II issued a decree today updating the arms of the Imperial Househo...
DATELINE: Novo Ashukovo, Rhomania (RNA)
HOIRM Basileús Emmanuel I & IIissued a decree today updating the arms of the Imperial Household.
According to the decree, the new blazon of the House of Afentoulis, Imperial Family of Rhōmanía, is Argent, a double-headed eagle displayed Azure, within a bordure compony of Azure and Argent. This replaces the borderless version the house had used since 2017.
The change follows an apparent conflict of arms with the extinct Swiss family of von Schlatt (also recorded as Slat). Their arms appear in the Zürich armorial, a roll compiled around 1340, as Argent, a double-headed eagle displayed Azure—the same field and charge House Afentoulis adopted in 2017. Those arms are still used by the municipality of Schlatt bei Winterthur in the district of Winterthur, canton of Zürich, presumably derived from the family.
Arms of the Slat/von Schlatt family
Arms of Schlatt bei Winterthur municipality
The two designs are not identical: the Schlatt eagle has a red beak and legs, while the Afentoulis eagle is entirely azure. Those differences, in a heraldic context, were judged insufficient to avoid a conflict. The new bordure of alternating azure and argent therefore distinguishes the arms of the Imperial House from their Swiss counterparts.
New arms of House Afentoulis: Argent, a double-headed eagle displayed Azure, within a bordure compony of Azure and Argent
This is not the first change of arms for the house, though the decree presents it as the last. As Imperial Family of the Tsardom of Ashukovo from 2014 to 2017, House Afentoulis used Argent, a pile Azure charged with a lozenge Argent—a white shield with a stylized “A.”
Arms of House Afentoulis 2014-2017
After Ashukovo was restructured into the Second Federal Republic, the family turned to internal affairs in Mouzilo and later Rhōmanía. New arms were then adopted to reflect family origins in Asia Minor and its seat in Greece. A double-headed eagle replaced the stylized “A.” Those arms remained in use for nine years, until today’s update.
Arms of House Afentoulis 2017-2026
Souces close to the Household said the revised achievement takes effect immediately on seals, standards, and official stationery. Existing flags and other renderings may remain in use until they are replaced in the ordinary course of wear. Court sources described the bordure as a conservative difference rather than a new identity, intended to preserve the eagle that has marked the family since 2017 while placing the arms beyond reasonable challenge in any future roll or comparison. Likewise, the Imperial Coat of Arms, until now bearing the borderless inescutcheon, is expected to be modified. No further alteration of the Imperial arms is contemplated.
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