Praetorian family

The Praetorian family in The Hexarchy is those set of people who are descended from, theoretically, any living or recent Praetor of the Hexarchy. Given the huge extensive, distant family that Praetor Gilgamesh II has and the lack of closely related cousins, this status has raised arguments within the Council of Six and the country's various regional governments.

The question was finally settled in 1704 AN, during which the Council of Six decided that only direct legitimate descendants of the current Praetor (excluding spouses of children), the siblings of the Praetor (by blood only) and one designated heir of those children (by blood only), and the Praetor's consort(s) (married only) would be considered part of the Praetorian Family. This act was passed unanimously and successfully aimed to limit the number of candidates standing for future Praetorian elections. In the early months of 1705, this Act of Succession was applied to all other regional royalty within the quickly growing nation.

Praetor Gilgamesh II had a total of four known sons as of 1705 AN, along with several daughters by his three wives. According to current succession laws, the future Praetorship will be decided by a vote in the Council of Six among those four sons. While the aging Praetor's daughters are theoretically able to succeed the aging Gilgamesh as Praetor as well, none are considered strong enough candidates to supplant all of their four brothers to take the seat.

The Current Praetor

Praetor Naram-Sin, no children.

Heirs Presumptive

Naram-sin has no children, eliminating direct succession. Neither does he have living siblings interested or eligible in the succession, forcing succession to pass through one of his nephews, of which few are favored by the Council.

Sneferu Azulpolassar, son of Sargon II, grandson of Praetor Sargon I. Born 1745 AN. While a minor as of 1756 AN, he is favored most by the council due to his father's charisma and connections with Sozer V via his mother Nefertari Sedjet (Sozer V's daughter). After Sozer V's death, Shoshenq IV continued his support as he was Nefertari's full brother and thus Sneferu's uncle.

Agga

Known to outside historiography as Agga of Arumen, he was the first de facto leader of the Hexarchy. He is numbered first on some lists of Praetors due to retroactive laws passed c.1750 AN designating him as an honorary Praetor (despite never living to see the creation of that title). His favored son was eventually elected Praetor Gilgamesh I after having gathered political power, with all others being eventually set aside and allowed their own pursuits in future generations. All Praetors in the Hexarchy (and indeed a bulk of its Council) draw descent or relation to this figure.

Praetor Gilgamesh I

Gilgamesh was the first Praetor of the Hexarchy. He had one son, Gilgamesh II, who succeeded him as Praetor Gilgamesh II after his death in battle in 1690 AN. Like his father, he only had one favored son who entered politics.

Praetor Gilgamesh II

Personal Biography

The second Praetor of the Hexarchy was Gilgamesh II (with Agga being retroactively named "Praetor" prior to his death). He had a total of seven sons and six daughters, of which five sons and three daughters survived to adulthood. Of those children, four notable sons exist: Imarru, Tiglath, Sargon, and Hammurabi. A fifth son, Saru, was initially well-attested but quickly fell out of written record due to disinterest in national politics. His daughters married into other families and deliberately avoided the political scene for reasons unknown. Unlike his two predecessors, Gilgamesh II had many progeny who now live in various corners of Micras.

Gilgamesh II had several known sons in adulthood (with rough translations accompanying their names). Below are the ones most prominently featured in the public spotlight. Early in his reign, Gilgamesh ordered each of his sons and daughters to travel the world for an extended period of time to learn their ways and wisdom before turning home to positions of leadership. It is expected that this tradition continue far into the future for princes and princesses in the process of initiation. After the Family Name Convention Act 1695 was passed, his children were privately encouraged to take up family surnames upon either reaching the age of majority, marrying, or accepting a permanent post in the government.

Following title convention, Princes and Princesses of the Hexarchy are given a princely title that describes the order of their birth. Crown princes (or princesses) don't exist in the Hexarchy, as the country is nominally an elective monarchy following the events surrounding the Covenant of 1690 that cemented the rules surrounding both the creation and maintenance of the country's upper echelons of nobility into place. Since Prince Imarru became ineligible for the Praetorship (having been given the post of Lord of Arumen), it fell to the others to decide who will eventually become Praetor (and who will become Lord of other provinces with such vacancies).

Praetor Gilgamesh II has seven known sons (of which four are in adulthood) and three daughters (one of which is in adulthood). There are two sets of twins, all being the youngest of the family. Gilgamesh has but one wife (Esharra of Azul'an), with whom he has had six of his children. The rest come from (mutually consenting) pseudo-marital relations due to Esharra's inability to have children in recent years. Per tradition (and, recently, the law), each child enjoys the same rights and status as any other in a household with more than two active (mutually consenting) parents involved. Until recent years, the concept of a legal idea of marriage barely existed until well into the 1670's, when the country was still gearing towards independence.

He was succeeded by Sargon Azulpolassar as Praetor.

Prince Imarru

Imarru-Pilagga Gilgamesh-nadinshumi U-Azul'an Arumenlugal

--- Imarru, grandson of Agga, son of Gilgamesh, of Azul'an, and Lord of Arumen

As the eldest surviving son of the Praetor on his ascension to the position, Imarru became the "First Prince." His heirs in ruling Arument continued to enjoy that designation for generations hence.

Per the Covenant of 1690, he became the Lord of Arumen since his father's ascension to the Praetorship in 1691. By virtue of this position, he took a seat on the Council of Six as a nonvoting member. Because of this same title, however, he could never assume the throne due to measures passed some years prior by his father and the Council of Six. He has chosen not to publish an alternative name that follows modernized naming conventions, nor has he chosen to take a surname for himself. Instead, he has decided to pass the concept of surnames to the next generation by creating the House of Arumenezzar (lit: protector of Arumen) to rule the territory from which his name comes from, partly to differentiate himself from his father and grandfather, who never took such steps during their own lifetimes.

Had several children which continue to administer the territory of Arumen and act as tribal leaders in neighboring Pyrax.

Prince Imarru's Family

In keeping with local tradition and laws, certain persons within the Hexarchy may, with restrictions, marry more than once. Tiglath obtained permission from his first wife, Aiga and from his would-be bride, Ereshi, and secured the blessings at least one of each spouse's parents, at least one year in advance to give all parties time to finalize their decision. Next, he had to see two different courts: in the first (a family court) he had to prove materially in public that his fidelity was beyond reproach during his first marriage, and that this trend would continue onwards. Additionally, he proved his financial and filial capabilities to an impartial tribunal in Azul'an, to prove that he could provide financially and emotionally care for a large family, without unlawfully disfavoring either of his wives.

Tiglath has, since, had three children with Aiga since their marriage in 1703:

• Prince Senna Utuchadnezzar, a boy, born in 1702, is the heir presumptive.
  
• Prince Aru Nadinpolassar, a boy, born in 1703.
  
• Princess Nin Nannashumi, a girl, born in 1705.
  

Tiglath has had no children with his second wife Ereshi since their marriage in 1705.

Prince Tiglath

Tiglath-Pilagga Gilgamesh-nadinshumi U-Mardukenacheazul’an (alternate name: Tiglath Gilgamesh-Pilagga U-Mardukenacheazul’an of Arumen) --- Tiglath, grandson of Agga, son of Gilgamesh, of Marduk (formerly of Azul'an)

Known simply as Prince Tiglath, during his lifetime he was designated the "Second Prince." He is currently the Prime Minister of Transnational Affairs. His main focus is cultivating the country's relationship with New Alexandria, which is a currently a national priority due to its size, strong economy, cultural ties (from prior generations) and proximity to the Hexarchy. Since the passage National Naming Convention Act of 1694, he instead chose not to take up a surname at all, in keeping with cultural traditions, like his elder brother.

He was moderately pro-USSO before its dissolution, but after the GAE's downfall he took a more ambivalent stance on foreign affairs. He preferred maintaining a status quo as much as possible to offer much-needed stability internally. However, he also spoke out often in favor of national expansion to reach the country's neighbors over land and sea alike. In this as well, he was disappointed due to stubbornly weak central governance for decades stunting such moves later in his own lifetime. He remained strongly pro-modernization, but his focus is on military and infrastructure, with his stance on technological development being a regional thing. He was initially favored by the Council for the Praetorship, although Sargon Azulpolassar was elected Praetor instead.

Prince Tiglath's Family

Tiglath married a woman from Kobol named Suzanna in late 1702 AN. They had one child:

• Lianna Damu-Tiglath, born 1704.
• Eru Gilgamesh-nadinshumi (later renamed Eru Tiglath-Pilagga), born 1708.
  • many children with multiple spouses.
• Ea-Nasir Gilgamesh-nadinshumi (later renamed Ea-Nasir Tiglath-Pilagga), born 1710.
  • Ea-Nasir II, who grew to be infamous for disregard of local customs in his business dealings.
  • three other children.

To avoid civil strife, Prince Tiglath moved his family out of the country. Initially, the three moved to Nova Victoria in the Imperial Federation. After finding success but not happiness, the family then moved to Beihagh City due to rising economic opportunities. The family established themselves there quickly, enjoying the local flavor of cosmopolitanism. They grew exceptionally wealthy in the following decades due to their shared political and business connections. Their descendants, now surnamed Tiglath-Pilagga to honor their ancestry, hold considerable assets on the island, and regularly sit the City Council.

Prince Sargon

The third son of Praetor Gilgamesh II, he succeeded Gilgamesh as Praetor. (See below for his own geneaology.)

Prince Hammurabi

--- Hammurabi, (son of) Gilgamesh and grandson of Agga, of Marduk.

Simply known as Prince Hammurabi, during his lifetime he was designated the "Fourth Prince." After graduating from the University of Kobol in 1693 as part of its inaugural class after the Hexarchy's independence, he took an alternative route than his elder siblings. Instead of pursuing a career in politics, instead he chose the life of a professional athlete for the FMF. After a brief stint with Pyrax United, he transferred to the Ashtaroth Eagles just in time for their debut in the FMF World Cup qualification as the country's national football team. He used his time as a professional football player to fulfill his requirement for extended international travel, per his father's orders. His political position was staunchly internationalist and for an expansion in the country's economic power. Outside of that, he's tight-lipped, as his passion is more for sports than statesmanship. As he grew distant from family, he grew disillusioned with political life and moved away from the country in his later years.

He took the surname U-Marduk, a surname that indicates a mark of local royalty that comes from a certain place. However, this indication of nobility is bereft of power, following his decision to permanently leave politics behind.

Prince Hammurabi's Family

He gradually started a romantic relationship with a wealthy Adrestian businessman named Ieyasu Segkigahara, who lived in Kobol from 1692. Openly bisexual and initially averse to the idea of marriage, Prince Hammurabi's political reputation continuously suffered among the country's generally conservative elite. While openly committing to this relationship alienated him from several of his relatives (including his oldest brother), the Praetor Gilgamesh II tolerated his son's "proclivities." The rationale was that Hammurabi was free to pursue who he willed as he had withdrawn from politics, but the two rarely spoke after Hammurabi publicly came out of the closet. The rest of his siblings were generally positive about his romantic life, notably Sargon who is a known social progressive. The two later married but had no children. Their relationship ended with Ieyasu's unexpected death c. 1715 of a rare disease.

Hammurabi later remarried about two decades later, this time with a widowed socialite from Nixtorm in the Imperial Federation. While he eventually had children and reconciled with his siblings and relatives, his family had already faded from politics. His descendants remained reluctant to re-engage in the following years, which each individual holding starkly different opinions of their extended relations. Most of the U-Marduk family now live abroad in relative obscurity.

Prince Saru

Saru recently reached the age of majority in 1704 AN. He was sent abroad to study, like his older brother Sargon. He stayed abroad and faded out of the Hexarchy's political scene completely by 1720 AN. He emigrated after marrying a foreigner. During his time living in his home country, Saru deliberately avoided speaking in public on the political state of the country, stating instead that he "wants to learn before offering definitive opinions on what our country should do" in the immediate future. However, those close to him implied at the time that he's a socially progressive person who favors his brother Sargon's economic opinions. He stayed out of Hexarchian politics for the rest of his life.

Prince Saru's Family

Scant records revealed later that Prince Saru had married a Ralgonese woman and moved to the Imperial Federation, where he lived as a private citizen practicing international law. He eventually settled in Glacier City with the rest of his Ralgonese wife's family. He retired some time after 1750 AN, after which none of his children have moved back to their father's land of birth.

Praetor Sargon I

(former name: Sargon Gilgamesh-Pilagga Azulpolassar) --- Sargon, grandson of Agga, son of Gilgamesh, protected by Azul, of Arumen (the pre-eminent).

Personal Biography

Initially, Sargon was known as the Third Prince before his election as Praetor. Currently traveling in New Alexandria. Graduated from the University of Gondolin in Adrestia in 1690. Studied international relations at the Imperial University in Cardenas in Wechua, New Alexandria. Spent much of his earlier career in efforts to communicate with the public on topics relating to his country's incredibly diverse culture. Unlike his older brothers, he chose to adopt the legal surname "Azulpolassar" for himself, rather than wait for any children of his to pick something entirely different.

He unexpectedly became the third Praetor of the Hexarchy, after which the House of Agga split into the House of Arumen (led by Prince Imarru) to rule the territory of that same name, and the House of Azulpolassar (led by Prince Sargon) that continued to lead the Hexarchy for the next several generations. Sargon was the founder of the House of Azulpolassar, which became the governing family of the country after his own reign concluded. Notable members of this house include Naram-Sin Azulpolassar, his successor as the fifth Praetor, Sargon Azulpolassar II, who passed up the praetorship, and Sargon II's son Sneferu Azulpolassar, heir-presumptive as sixth Praetor.

During his time as a prince, he remained moderately pro-Raspur. He is also strongly pro-expansionism and pro-internationalism, seeing both as intertwined with a prosperous Keltia. These goals fell apart shortly after his lifetime, however, due to a weakened central government and political stagnation throughout the country. While he acknowledged high costs behind his father's modernization programs, he spent most of his reign in an attempt to continue those policies. Being highly skilled and educated, he was elected Praetor. He reigned from 1730 AN to 1744 AN, dying in his sleep of a sudden heart condition at the age of 74.

Praetor Sargon's Family

Sargon had two sons and three daughters. Both sons are well-attested and the daughters moved abroad to marry into foreign nobility:

• Sargon Azulpolassar II -- Passed over the Praetorship upon his father's passing. Married Nefertari Sedjet, daughter of Pschent Sozer V of Karnak.
  • Sneferu Azulpolassar -- born 1745 AN. Likely heir to Naram-Sin.
• Naram-Sin Azulpolassar -- became Praetor in 1744 AN

Praetor Naram-Sin

Had no children.