Patriarch Antonian

**Patriarch Antonian**, was the first patriarch consort of Lady Lenore. He was the father of three of Lenore's daughters: Fortuna Babria, Fortuna Cervona and Fortuna Eggia. His children were later fostered by Consort Livy.

The specifics are unknown, but Patriarch Antonian died in complete abundance and an unknown illness; he did however fall out of favour and his powerful clan branch fell with him.

## **Origins**

### Birth

It is unknown exactly when Antonian was born, however according to what sources mention him; scholars of history have accurated his date of birth as 412 AER in either the winter or late autumn of that same year. It is said that his birth was celebrated, according to some sources his sisters were older than him, however this is unspecified - it is however known that the existence of Antonia Major and Antonia Minor are well intact.

Unlike most main consorts, Antonian was from a obscure branch of the House of Antonia; a clan that held major influence and power, however it was also a clan with uncountable branches. To be specific, the patriarch himself originated from the Antonia-Cretii branch; this specific family was of humble origin and they were considered rather middle class compared to the wealthier families of the Fortuna state.

This was also part of the reason as to why Antonian's grandfather decided to side with Lady Lenore and betray Marcia the Wonderful in the last years of her reign, as part of the horde of lesser-aristocrats who intended to achieve a higher purpose.

His mother was Julia Caesonia, a Fortuna noblewoman whose father was a very influential politician; he partially aided in the rise of Antonian's father to a higher status before he also died of old age.

Antonian's birth name was *Marcus filus Marcus Antonius de Cretius Julius Caesonius.* Antonian's father is confirmed to be a governor of Sofia, Marcus Antonius Creticus who also earned the cognomen of 'Sofius,' as a magistrate that was elected three times in a row as Governor of (occupied) Sofia.

#### As 'the Handsome One' of Sofia

In the start of 427 AER, Antonian was looked forward to for guidance and the potential heir of the House of Antonia; while his father intended for his sisters to marry into powerful patriarchal families. However, this did not come to light as Antonian was described as being "uniquely beautiful."

Antonian first rose to prominence as his father was elected for a second time as Governor of occupied Sofia and Lady Lenore heard of the successes of Antonian's father; including the use of his experience as Aedile to create a useful and productive society, creating more roads and addressing the environment of Sofia. According to many sources, Antonian's father had "beautifully" re-arranged occupied Sofia and turned it into an economical power province which would benefit the Fortuna state for the preceeding years of Lady Lenore's reign.

Lady Lenore had heard of Antonian through a Consul of her own service, a man who intended on marrying one of Antonian' sisters; he had mentioned Antonian's beauty and the consul had stated that he had witnessed the nobleman walking around Sofia and "giving presents" to poor children, having earned himself the epithet 'the Handsome.' In interest and intrigue of Antonian, Lady Lenore had visited occupied Sofia; where she too provided gifts for the people of Sofia, the warlady-sovereign demanded to see Antonian and when he was brought before her, sources stated that "she had never seen such a handsomeness before." According to some sources, the consul intended to take Antonian as a concubine; however Lady Lenore stopped the consul before he could propose his idea.

It is also noted that the Consul Civilis gifted Antonian the position of 'Coerator,' a court role that Antonian had to have removed due to the harem being a place of absolute seclusion.

## The Harem

### **As Pure Consort**

In the months that followed, Lady Lenore sent several statesmen to Sofia to pamper Antonian's father with gifts and all sorts of earthly luxuries, according to one source Antonian's father became overwhelmed and held speculation about the plans of Lady Lenore.

Apparently Antonian's father rejected the matter, however when Lady Lenore threatened to take Antonian by force - Governor Marcus accepted her proposal and Lenore took Antonian to the Fortuna harem.

It is reported that Antonian "cried" so loudly, however he was also happy as Lady Lenore promised Marcus a role in the first prefecture (and according to some sources) even corrupted the political system so that Marcus would become one of her Consuls. Lady Lenore also re-arranged the marriages of Antonian's sisters and declared Antonia Major her father's rightful successor.

For filial purposes, Lady Lenore honoured the pitiful mother of Antonian and titled her as 'Royal Lady,' or 'Royal Lady Caesonia.' In addition to this, Antonian also convinced Lenore much later into their marriage to personally approve the marriages of his nieces and nephews.

As Pure Consort, he was titled as 'Consort Antony' and according to many sources 'Antony' was his (courtesy name throughout his tenure).

#### The alleged 'beating' of Consort Livy

Consort Antony at the time was very well-docile and had impressed Lady Lenore with his bedding service. He was however jealous when his rival, Consort Livy fathered the First Princess (Fortuna Aconia) and in a great conflict even got himself over-drunk and began beating Livy. According to some sources, Lady Lenore punished Antony (Antonian) by seclusion at the Summer Palace (House of the Pure Consort), while other sources state; that Lady Lenore didn't bother as she reprimanded the servantry instead in fear the beating would be made public.

#### As a father

Although Consort Antony (Antonian), was a figure of hot temperment, he was able to father children with Lady Lenore; which conduct of:

* Fortuna Babria, Princess of the Third Rank
* Fortuna Cervonia, Princess of the Fourth Rank
* Fortuna Eggia, Princess of the Fifth Rank

##### Historical References

It is said that Consort Antony's allowance was boosted up by 50% during the tenure of Lady Lenore and her miniature conquests, in which she gifted many of the prized treasures to Consorts; Livy and Antony.

It is also speculated that although Consort Antony was 'Pure Consort,' Livy at the time was relatively disrespectful and his rank was lower then that of Antonius. While Antony himself was more lusted over for, rather than loved by Lady Lenore. It is also stated that Consort Antony didn't retain for long in his role as Pure Consort due to his father being elected as a Consul later on.

### **As Patriarch**

Upon the mass recruiting and further miniature conquests, Antony's father achieved ultimate respect and glory. He had also been a womanzier for a time much to the anger of Royal Lady Caesonia; however this issue was later kept private.

As a reward for his services, Lady Lenore hosted an inauguration for Consort Antony to be named the patriarch consort (father of the nation) giving him official rights over the harem as well as an official status as the 'main husband.'

He was also known as 'Patriarch Antonian,' a much more formal courtesy name altering the nickname 'Antony,' which was a "pet name" Lady Lenore used for her husband; who she considered submissive and obedient.

#### Conflicts with Livy's clique

Although the harem was thought to be peaceful at the time, the fact that Consort Livy fathered the First Princess had very much angered Patriarch Antonian and he even reprimanded the "issues" he considered with Livy, such as his cordiality and even the paternal care towards his daughters. Sometimes the conflicts were so physically violent that the other consorts often had to involve themselves.

Out of the most notable concubines and consorts of Lady Lenore, it was Consort Minian (Minius) and Royal Concubine Viviann who disliked Antonian and joined the private clique of Consort Livy - according to some sources Antony attempted many times to berid of them however due to Livy's status as father of the eldest princess it became rather "impossible."

There was however one concubine that the patriarch trusted, Noble Lord Nymphidian who was his greatest friend and in the event that Antonian had to be disposed of; he would prefer Nymphidian as his successor.

On the outside of the harem, Royal Lady Caesonia often bullied Lady Alubia and even commented criticism on her attire; having angered the women of the royal court however the Royal Lady (Julia Caesonia) was forced to retire to her residence in Sofia, much to the shock of Antonian.

It is said that Antonian felt "insulted" to the very core of Consort Livy's rising status and although Antonian was listed over by Lady Lenore; she had deemed him somewhat as a type of nuisence; especially as he held a huge emphasis on his role as patriarch and often used it to ridicule Consort Livy in public harem sessions, making the harem unbareable for both consorts and concubines alike.

### **Ilness & Death**

At the age of either 21 or 23, in the years of either (433 AER or 435 AER); it is said that Patriarch Antonian fell rather ill as Lady Lenore slowly distanced herself from him. Although she disliked Antonian much later into her reign, she didn't strike or place legal sanctions on Antonian in any shape or form on the account that he fathered three princesses with her.

Antonian had fallen deeply depressed, as his marriage life fell into complete ruins and Royal Lady Caesonia was remotely exiled from royal court; patriarch Antonian is said to have fainted when he found out his father drowned during the construction of a well in his home province, Sofia. Hours into the night, Antonian died due to the cold.

He had been provided the traditional funeral of a patriarch, in spite of his will for Nymphidian to succeed him; Lady Lenore placed Consort Livy as Antonian's successor as head of the harem.

His daughters were in their childhood when he died, as a result they were also fostered by Livy, Antonia Major considered this a "great insult," due to her plea however she was executed due to the "scenery," she made. With her death and that of her children, Antonian's branch also died with him.

## Titles & Styles

- His Serene Highness, Pure Consort Antony

- His Royal Highness, Patriarch Antonian

- His Virtious Royal Highness of High Serenity, Patriarch Antonian (in death).

## Title

### Primary Title

* Pure Consort

(427 AER - 427 AER)

* Patriarch Consort

(till death)

## Biography

### Full Name

Marcus filus Marcus Antonius de Cretius Julius Caesonius

### Spouse

Lady Lenore "the Blessed"(407 AER - 510 AER)

### Father

Marcus Antonius Creticus Sofius, Governor de Sofia(d. 444 AER)

### Issue

* Fortuna Babria, Princess of the Third Rank
* Fortuna Cervonia, Princess of the Fourth Rank
* Fortuna Eggia, Princess of the Fifth Rank

### Siblings

* Antonia Major
* Antonia Minor