Foedus Aquilae Ressurgentis – Our Sacred Bond
Foedus Aquilae Ressurgentis – The Covenant of the Resurgent Eagle
A Proclamation and Guided Understanding by Imperial Orator Gaius Valerius Scaevola
“Citizens of Senatus Populusque Aeturnum! Aspirants to our glory! And all who seek to comprehend the bedrock of our Resurgent Roman State! Before you stands not mere words, but the very soul of SPQA, the sacred pact that binds us, guides us, and defines us: The Foedus Aquilae Ressurgentis – The Covenant of the Resurgent Eagle. I, Gaius Valerius Scaevola, Imperial Orator, have been charged by Emperor Marcellus himself to ensure that its tenets are not only read but are deeply understood and taken into the heart of every individual who calls SPQA home. This document you see before you is the culmination of our struggle against the darkness of the past, the blueprint for our luminous future. Let us now examine its sacred text, and then, I shall endeavor to illuminate its most vital passages and their meaning for us all.”
(Audio Version)
The Covenant of the Resurgent Eagle
Hearken, all ye who seek a home within the embrace of Senatus Populusque Aeturnum!
From the dust of empires lost to avarice, from the silence of forums where justice once echoed but then withered into whispers of despair, SPQA has risen. We are the memory of what Rome should have been, the dream of what it can be, made manifest by the unwavering will of its People and the steadfast wisdom of its Senate, under the vigilant gaze of the Emperor.
The Eagle, once shattered by corruption and the lust for unbridled power, now soars anew – not as a bird of prey upon its own, but as a guardian, its talons unclenching to offer sanctuary, its wings spread to shelter every soul who pledges to this Covenant.
This is not merely a collection of laws to be obeyed, but a sacred bond to be embodied. It is the spirit that infuses our systems, the meaning behind our labor, the unwavering truth that guides our role within this great endeavor. To be of SPQA is to be more than a subject; it is to be a vital thread in the tapestry of an Eternal Republic, a participant in a living history.
THE PILLARS OF OUR COVENANT
I. SANCTITAS ANIMAE – The Sanctity of Every Soul
“No Citizen of SPQA Stands Defenseless; No Voice of a Resident Goes Unheard.”
Before all else, know this: every individual who enters the domain of SPQA enters a sanctuary. The exploitation of the weak, the arrogance of the powerful unchecked, the casual cruelty that marked the fallen age – these have no place here.
Protection: Every soul, from the newest Peregrinus finding their path, to the most esteemed Patrician, is under the Eagle’s aegis. Your person, your dignity, and your justly earned property are sacrosanct. Malice, harassment, and any act intended to diminish another will be met with the full weight of SPQA’s justice. Our community is our first line of defense; we protect our own.
Value: You are not a cog in a machine. Whether you till the fields, guard the walls, craft goods for the populace, or guide the state in the Senate, your contribution is recognized. You have inherent worth.
Voice: While hierarchy and order are essential, mechanisms shall always exist for grievances to be aired and for concerns to be addressed, ensuring that the spirit of fairness permeates even the interactions with those in authority.
Zero Tolerance: Toxicity is the poison that sickened the old world. It will find no purchase here. Hate, bigotry, and deliberate disruption are treason against this very Pillar and will be excised without hesitation.
II. OPUS ET DIGNITAS – Purpose in Toil, Honor in Contribution
“Every Hand That Builds, Every Mind That Serves, Weaves the Fabric of Our Eternity.”
Idleness breeds decay; purposeful action builds empires that last. SPQA honors the dignity of all legitimate labor and service, for it is through the collective efforts of its people that the state thrives and endures.
Paths to Belonging: The varied Paths to Citizenship are not mere trials, but opportunities to demonstrate your dedication to SPQA through meaningful action – be it the soldier’s disciplined vigil on the Via Militaris, the builder’s sweat upon the Via Civica, the artisan’s skill along the Via Artis, the administrator’s diligence through the Via Officiorum, the scholar's insight upon the Via Doctrinae, the devotee's service on the Via Pietatis, or the bonds forged through Via Patrocinii. Each path is a testament to your commitment.
The Cursus Honorum: Advancement through public office is not a pursuit of personal power, but a deepening of one’s service to the State and its People. Each magistracy carries grave responsibilities, and its powers are a sacred trust, to be wielded for the common good.
Shared Prosperity: The resources of SPQA, gathered through the labor of its people, shall be used to strengthen the state, support its citizens (through systems like the Annona), and fund the works that ensure our collective future. We reject the hoarding and exploitation of the past.
III. LEX ET IMPERIUM – The Just Order, Our Shield and Our Strength
“Our Law is the Rampart Against Chaos; Our Order, the Foundation of True Liberty.”
Liberty cannot exist in anarchy, nor true strength in tyranny. SPQA is founded upon a just order, defined by laws crafted for the welfare of all and upheld by legitimate authority.
Rule of Law: The Leges et Mores of SPQA, and the edicts of the Senate and Emperor, apply to all. No one is above the law. The Basilica stands as a symbol of this, where justice is sought, and cases are heard with impartiality by our Praetors.
The Senate’s Wisdom: The Senatus is the deliberative heart of SPQA, where policy is forged through debate and reason, always with the welfare of the Populus in mind.
The Emperor’s Guidance: The Imperator stands as the ultimate guardian of this Covenant, the final arbiter of justice, and the commander who ensures the security and stability of the state.
Guardians of Order: The Cohortes Urbanae and the Legions of SPQA are not instruments of oppression, but the sworn protectors of this Just Order, the citizens, and the ideals of our Covenant. Their strength is used to defend, never to exploit.
IV. IGNIS PERENNIS VIGILANTIAE – The Eternal Flame of Vigilance
“We Are the Keepers of a Rekindled Flame; Its Purity Is Our Constant Charge.”
The darkness of the past was not banished by a single victory, but is held at bay by unending vigilance. The principles upon which SPQA was founded are precious and fragile, requiring constant tending.
Remember the Fall: We shall not forget the corruption and tyranny that shattered the Eagle of old. This memory fuels our resolve to never repeat those mistakes.
Active Guardianship: Every citizen shares the responsibility of upholding this Covenant. To see injustice and remain silent, to witness corruption and turn away, to allow toxicity to fester – these are failures of vigilance.
The Pursuit of Excellence: We strive not for mere existence, but for an SPQA that is ever more just, more prosperous, more honorable. This requires constant effort, self-reflection, and the courage to address our own shortcomings.
Legacy: We build not just for ourselves, but for all who will come after, seeking shelter and purpose under the wings of the Resurgent Eagle. This sacred flame of our ideals must be passed, burning brighter, to future generations.
Therefore, let every soul who pledges allegiance to Senatus Populusque Aeturnum take this Covenant into their heart. Understand its weight, embrace its responsibilities, and cherish its protections. For in upholding these Pillars, we do more than obey laws – we breathe life into the dream of an Eternal Rome, a home for the honorable, a beacon for the just.
So it is written. So it shall be lived.
By the Will of the Senate and People, and the Authority of Emperor Marcellus.
Orator Scaevola Steps Forward, His Gaze Sweeping Over the Assembled Text:
“Behold, the Foedus Aquilae Ressurgentis in its entirety! Now, let us delve deeper into its structure and the profound declarations made by Emperor Marcellus regarding its purpose and enduring power.”
Understanding the Covenant's Intent: As Declared by Emperor Marcellus
“Our esteemed Emperor, in his wisdom, has provided clarity on the Covenant’s very essence. When asked of its Purpose, he stated:”
“This Covenant… is the very soul of Senatus Populusque Aeturnum… Its purpose is threefold:
To Be Our Unwavering Guide: It lays down the five sacred pillars… that illuminate our path…
To Be the Shield of Our People: This Covenant guarantees that every soul within SPQA is valued and protected…
To Define What It Means to Be of SPQA: It articulates our collective identity, our shared aspirations, and the responsibilities…”
“And What Prompted Its Creation? The answer, as the Emperor reminds us, lies in bitter experience:”
“The Covenant was born from the ashes of a broken world… prompted by a collective yearning for something true, something lasting… forged in the fires of necessity, as a bulwark against the return of tyranny and chaos.”
“Its ultimate ambition, What It Is Trying To Achieve? Nothing less than:”
“The foundation of an eternal state built on righteousness – an SPQA where:
Every citizen feels secure, valued, and empowered… Our laws are just, our governance transparent, and our leaders accountable… Our community is strong… The spirit of Rome is not just remembered, but actively lived… We create a legacy of honor, stability, and prosperity…”
The Structure of Our Sacred Bond
“The Covenant,”
Orator Scaevola continues, gesturing to the text, “is meticulously structured, as our Emperor has outlined, to ensure its message resonates with power and clarity.”
“It begins with the Invocation & Preamble (Foedus Aquilae Ressurgentis – Our Sacred Bond), a solemn call that establishes the dire need for SPQA and the Covenant’s role as a spiritual foundation, not mere legislation.”
“The heart of the document lies in The Pillars of Our Covenant. Each of the Four Pillars – Sanctitas Animae, Opus et Dignitas, Lex et Imperium, and Ignis Perennis Vigilantiae – is a fundamental tenet, clearly defined with its own resonant mantra and practical implications.”
“Finally, a powerful Concluding Affirmation seals the pact, urging every soul in SPQA to internalize and live by these principles, ensuring our collective endurance and righteousness.”
The Covenant's Caveats: Its Enduring Nature and Grave Consequences
“Let no one believe this Covenant is a gentle suggestion!” Scaevola’s voice rings with warning. “As Emperor Marcellus has affirmed, it carries profound Parameters and dire Consequences.”
Parameters:
“Eternity: It is intended to guide SPQA for all time, its core principles sacrosanct.”
“Universality: It applies to everyone within SPQA, everywhere, always.”
“Living Document: While its core is fixed, our understanding and application will deepen, always striving for a more perfect embodiment. Any clarification, if ever needed for the state's survival, would require the most solemn procedures involving the Emperor and Senate.”
Consequences:
“For the Individual: Upholding it brings honor and the fullness of life in SPQA. Neglecting or betraying it means facing swift, firm justice under laws derived from this very Covenant – from censure to exile, or even death for the most heinous acts.”
“For the State: Adherence ensures our strength, justice, and prosperity. Failure means a return to the darkness we escaped – a fate we are all sworn to prevent.”
The Supreme Legal Status of Our Covenant
“Finally, and of utmost importance,” Orator Scaevola declares, his hand held high, “is the Legal Status of the Foedus Aquilae Ressurgentis. Let there be no doubt:”
“The Covenant of the Resurgent Eagle is not subject to any lesser law, for it is the supreme foundational law of Senatus Populusque Aeturnum (SPQA). Its validity stems from the collective will of the People and the Senate, consecrated by the authority of the Emperor…”
“Its Jurisdiction is absolute:”
“Over All Territories under SPQA’s protection.”
“Over All Individuals – Citizen, Peregrinus, visitor, and every official up to the Emperor himself.”
“Over All SPQA Institutions – Senate, Courts, Legions, Cohorts, and all administrative bodies.”
“The interpretation in specific legal matters falls to our Praetors and Courts. Broader affirmations may come from the Senate or Imperial Edict. But the ultimate guardian of this Covenant is Emperor Marcellus, and its daily observance is the sacred charge of every soul who benefits from its light!”
Orator Scaevola bows deeply, a gesture of profound respect for the document and his audience.
“Thus stands the Foedus Aquilae Ressurgentis – the heart, soul, and supreme law of our Senatus Populusque Aeturnum. Read it, citizens. Reflect upon it. Discuss its meanings. But above all, live it. For it is in our collective embodiment of these sacred principles that the Resurgent Eagle will not only soar but will light the path for generations to come. May it ever be so!”
HONOR. JUSTITIA. VIGILANTIA. SPQA!
SPQA!
Purpose
What is the purpose of this Covenant?
This Covenant, known as "The Covenant of the Resurgent Eagle," is the very soul of Senatus Populusque Aeturnum. It is not merely a collection of words, but the sacred oath that binds every citizen, from the most humble Peregrinus seeking our shelter to the highest officials of the Senate and the Imperial Court.
Its purpose is threefold:
To Be Our Unwavering Guide: It lays down the five sacred pillars – Sanctity of the Soul, Purpose in Toil, Just Order, the Vigilant Flame, and the Bedrock of Our Word – that illuminate our path. Every law we enact, every judgment we pass, every road we build, and every battle we wage is measured against these tenets. It is the compass by which SPQA navigates, ensuring we remain true to the ideals for which we were forged.
To Be the Shield of Our People: This Covenant guarantees that every soul within SPQA is valued and protected. It outlines the rights and dignities afforded to all, ensuring that the horrors of arbitrary rule and the exploitation of the weak – the hallmarks of the shattered age before us – find no purchase here. It is a promise of sanctuary and fair dealing.
To Define What It Means to Be of SPQA: It articulates our collective identity, our shared aspirations, and the responsibilities that come with bearing the name of Roman under the Resurgent Eagle. It reminds us why we strive, why we build, and why we defend this new dawn.
What prompted its creation?
The Covenant was born from the ashes of a broken world. We had all witnessed firsthand the decay of the old ways – where justice was a commodity, honor a forgotten word, and the common person a mere pawn for the ambitions of the corrupt and the cruel. The Eagle itself, that once proud symbol, had been tarnished and shattered by such abuses.
SPQA rose as a defiant response to this darkness. Its creation was prompted by a collective yearning for something true, something lasting. This Covenant was therefore drafted by myself, Emperor Marcellus, with the counsel of those who first stood with me, to ensure that the principles for which we risked everything would never be forgotten or betrayed. It was forged in the fires of necessity, as a bulwark against the return of tyranny and chaos.
What is it trying to achieve?
Ultimately, The Covenant of the Resurgent Eagle seeks to achieve nothing less than the foundation of an eternal state built on righteousness – an SPQA where:
- Every citizen feels secure, valued, and empowered to contribute their best.
- Our laws are just, our governance transparent, and our leaders accountable.
- Our community is strong, bound by mutual respect and shared purpose.
The spirit of Rome is not just remembered, but actively lived and advanced, purified of its past failings.
We create a legacy of honor, stability, and prosperity that will inspire generations to come, a beacon to all who seek refuge from the shadows.
It is the blueprint for the Rome we are building together, the standard to which we hold ourselves, and the promise we make to the future.
Document Structure
Clauses
The Covenant of the Resurgent Eagle is structured to ensure clarity of purpose and depth of meaning, guiding the reader from its foundational context to its core principles and final affirmation
Invocation & Preamble (Foedus Aquilae Ressurgentis – Our Sacred Bond)
This introductory section sets a solemn tone, addressing all who seek to understand SPQA. It recounts the dire circumstances of the "fallen age" that prompted SPQA's creation and establishes The Covenant not as mere law, but as a sacred, living bond – the spirit that defines us. It frames the Resurgent Eagle as a symbol of protection and renewed hope.
The Pillars of Our Covenant (Core Tenets)
This is the heart of the document, divided into four primary "Pillars," each representing a fundamental aspect of SPQA's ideology. Each Pillar is introduced with its Latin title, a resonant mantra, and then an elaboration on its meaning and practical implications for the state and its people:
I. Sanctitas Animae (The Sanctity of Every Soul): Details the principles of universal respect, protection for all individuals, the inherent value of every member, the right to a voice, and SPQA's absolute intolerance for toxicity and exploitation.
II. Opus et Dignitas (Purpose in Toil, Honor in Contribution): Explains the value SPQA places on meaningful labor and service. It connects the various Paths to Citizenship and the Cursus Honorum to the idea that all contributions, made with integrity, build the state and confer dignity.
III. Lex et Imperium (The Just Order, Our Shield and Our Strength): Outlines the commitment to the rule of law, the balanced roles of the Senate and Emperor in maintaining just governance, and the function of the military and city cohorts as protectors of this order, not instruments of oppression.
IV. Ignis Perennis Vigilantiae (The Eternal Flame of Vigilance): Emphasizes the ongoing duty of all citizens to remember the corrupt past, to actively guard SPQA's ideals against decay, to strive for excellence, and to secure a just legacy for future generations.
Concluding Affirmation
The Covenant closes with a powerful statement reinforcing the collective commitment to its tenets. It serves as an implicit oath for all who are part of SPQA, urging them to internalize and live by these principles to ensure the Empire's endurance and righteousness. It is often sealed with a reference to the authority of the Senate, the People, and the Emperor.
Caveats
The Covenant of the Resurgent Eagle is an enduring pact, not a temporary accord. Its parameters and the consequences of its observance or neglect are as follows:
Parameters
Eternity: The Covenant is intended to be eternal, guiding SPQA for all time. Its core principles are immutable, though its application may be clarified through law as our state evolves.
Universality: Its tenets apply to all individuals within SPQA's jurisdiction, at all times, and in all circumstances. No one is exempt from its moral and ethical obligations.
Living Document: While its core is unchanging, the understanding and application of The Covenant will deepen as SPQA grows, always striving towards a more perfect embodiment of its ideals. Amendments to its operational interpretation, if ever deemed necessary for the survival and betterment of the state, can only be considered through the most solemn procedures involving the Emperor and the Senate.
Consequences:
For the Individual:
- Upholding The Covenant leads to honor, respect, and the full benefits of life within SPQA, including the protections and opportunities it affords.
- Neglecting or acting against the tenets of The Covenant is considered a grave offense. Specific violations (e.g., betraying "Sanctitas Animae" through hate or harassment; undermining "Lex et Imperium" through sedition or corruption) will be met with swift and firm justice as prescribed by the laws derived from this Covenant. Consequences range from public censure and loss of privilege to exile or, for the most heinous betrayals, capital punishment
For the State:
- Adherence to The Covenant ensures SPQA remains strong, just, prosperous, and a beacon against the darkness of the past. It fosters Concordia among the people and Gravitas in our endeavors.
- Should SPQA, as a collective, ever falter in its commitment to these principles, the consequence is a descent back towards the chaos, corruption, and suffering of the "Shattered Eagle" era – a fate we are sworn to prevent at all costs. The Covenant is our vow against such a decline
Legal status
Jurisdiction:
The Covenant's jurisdiction is absolute and encompasses:All Territories: Every city, province, outpost, and tract of land under the sovereign protection and governance of SPQA. All Individuals: Every Civis Romanus (SPQA), every Peregrinus residing within our borders, every Hospes seeking entry, and indeed, every official of the state, from the lowest Apparitor to the Emperor himself, is bound by its spirit and letter. All SPQA Institutions: The Senate, the Courts of Law, the Legions, the Cohortes Urbanae, and all administrative bodies of SPQA operate under the guidance and according to the principles of this Covenant.
The interpretation of The Covenant in specific legal matters falls to the Praetors and the established Courts of SPQA. Broader interpretations or affirmations of its principles may be issued by the Senate or by Imperial Edict. The ultimate responsibility for upholding The Covenant rests with the Emperor, but its daily observance is the sacred duty of every soul who benefits from SPQA's protection.
