Archonate of Veria (Premysloides Dynasty)

Background
During late 12th Century and early 13th Century, town of Veria was large city with about 4,000 inhabitants, prosperous and flourishing. Like many other cities, towns and provinces, Veria was victim of Fourth Crusade and political instability. Venetian mercenaries sacked Veria, killed or enslaved about half of population and second half escaped. In whole town remained only about hundred people who survived sack.

At first, its appear that Veria will be left and fall in to ruins. However, group of local "patriotic" citizens decided to many personal sacrifices and use and misuse various opportunities to restore former glory of Veria. They were founding members of "Veria Archonate". Kiril Altaros used his daughters and granddaughters as prostitutes to various sacking and moving armies. Miriam Gregopulos, widow of local watchmen, gathered his remaining scouts and militiamen as mercenaries for Bulgarians, Kingdom of Thessaloniky, Despotate of Epirus, Latin Empire, Venetians and also Nicean Empire. They traded with every each rulling regional power. Slaver Michael Sartos misused massive casualties among local workforce and bought numerous slaves from North Africa and Egypt to renting them locals. With this and other efforts, town condemned to fall and collapse, became again province center.

In 1204, city population was about 4,000 people. Two years later, it was only about 100 people. In 1250, population reached 10,000 people and while much smaller then Thessaloniky, in terms of wealthy and property, Veria was able to be rival of large Thessaloniky.

Society and Political System
Veria society was stratified among many classes. Lowest were slaves. They did not have any rights, except right of protection from violence and murder. Second lowest were freedmens. They had right to own property, but had to live in ghettos and worked in toughest places. Peasants were local workforce in agriculture and they were free citizens, had most of rights, except voting and political rights. Citizens, soldiers and craftsmen were third highest class with voting and political rights, property rights and protection from mishandling. Second highest class was bureaucracy administrating city. Highest were oligarchs associated in "Archonate" (group of oligarchs). They had different names based on number of oligarchs. Their number never descend below three members and as this, they were called Triarchy (three members), Tetrarchy (four members), Pentarchy (five members) or even Hexarchy (six members).

Every each archon had field of jobs, duties and bussines interests in city. One oligarch was responsible for security of city, another for lands and development, other for services and administration etc.

There were not any aristocracy or any other inheriting class. Position of archon was elected. Archon had life terms (until "Imperial Law on Archonate" which limited every term on five years and only three consecutive) and during election, they presented themselfs to voters (adult men or widows, who were literate and free citizens with property). For example, candidate who wanted to became archon responsible for services, he or she (widow) presented their goals and ideas for their term on city forum. These were responsibilities and interests of archons. Sometimes there were merged, sometimes multiplied.

Very strange was role of Orthodox Church, as oligarchy confiscated their property in favor of city, but left them very large annuity for their private interests and free-of-costs of all services. Orthodox Church in Veria, in return, supported oligarchic regime.

Economy
Veria, during first half of 13th Century and oligarchic regime developed agriculture oriented village to city with very wide number of economical interests (mining, crafting, technical and military services, social services, money lending, banking, production of highly valued agriculture products etc.)

This diversity of economic resources led to economical independence of town.

Military
Until "Imperial Law on Archonate", Veria had own military composed of two elements: Professional mercenaries loyal to archons and militia formed of all free male citizens capable to bear arms and undergone military training. At peak, "Veria Military" had 3,500 reserve troops and about 400 active mercenaries.

Imperial Negotiation
Archonate rule over Veria could be dangerous precedent for imperial power, however, Emperor Romanos was able to form compromise in form of so-called Imperial Law on Archonate.