The Empire of Aurelia
-Has ruled the continent for last 400 years
-Founded from the city state republic of Aureliapolis some 500 years ago
-Ruled by Maximus dynasty since founding

Aurelius Maximus
(-46 - 41)
-Founder of the Empire
-Powerful consul who made himself the dictator
-After 10 years of dictatorship made himself the 1. emperor
-Ruled 0-41 (died 87 years old)
-Heartlands and most of the west were under the empire after his death

Gaulus Maximus
(5-68)
-2. emperor, eldest surviving son of Aurelius
-Fought whole his reign in the north against the barbarians
-Conquered the north and built the border prince system
-Ruled 41-68 (died 63 years old)

Gaius Maximus
(48-104)
-3. emperor, only son of Gaulus
-His parents marriage was questionable and he was born at the northern battlefields
-Lived his life away from the cities and with the armies. He was hugely popular among military, senate not so much
-Beginning of his reign he solidated north and invaded to the east. Doubling the size of empire after crushing the horse people and sending three legions take the coast beyond the plains.
-After that he marched to south taking the hills and mountains and finally facing the southern people. There he fought 10 years to standstill, until..
-First rebellion in the empire began. Rebellious senators with some separatist nobles had enough of Gaius's war and wanted rid of him.
-Gaius made peace with south, marched to Aureliapolis, crushed the rebellion, crucified the rebels and his power become absolute. Senate become a secondary power.
-After that he made one more invasion to south and finally took the whole continent.
-The empire was at largest during Gaius's Reign.
-Ruled 68-104 (died 56 years old)

Quintus Maximus
(76-131)
-4. emperor. Gaius's Eldest son
-His reign was reign of peace.
-Some southern coast was lost as his legions couldn't hold them, but still only minor clashes were fought over them.
-Finally though the peace ended. The north awoke.
-The north, bitter at their losses united behind one man. Wudeknut. He amassed the barbarian hordes and took empire by surprise, crushing the border princes from his way.
-Quintus saw this as a chance to be as glorious as his great forefathers and amassed the 6 northern legions and faced Wudeknut.
-He lead his armies to ambush and died with all of his legions.
-Ruled 104-131 (died 55 years old)

Lucifer Maximus
(115-145)
-5. emperor. Quintus's Eldest son.
-Became emperor at the age of 16, when the empire was under it's greatest threat.
-He quickly took the initiative and leadership and gathered armies around the empire for a year.
-At that point Wudeknut had pillaged enough north and had finally arrived at the Heartlands.
-Lucifer had 10 legions and 50 000 men from vassal armies of the nobles, amounting to 100 000 man.
-Wudeknut had 200 000 barbarians from far north and 75 000 northern and western forces who had decided to join Wudeknut against the empire by force or by choice.
-Lucifer's forces were better trained and armed better, but Wudeknut's men had more war experience and high morale. And Wudeknut was considered by many the best strategist of this era. In truth there was one better, Lucifer.
-Lucifer was able to force the battlefield of his choice in a valley beside some hills to hold the command posts. The bloodiest battle in Empire's history was fought at the valley.
-1. Lucifer had lured portions of the rebels among Wudeknut's armies to betray Wudeknut and destroy his supplies. This forced Wudeknut to take immediate decision for the battle and not wait at his leisure.
-2. Both armies marched to the valley, but as legions were slower the barbarians actually came to fight against uphill and when the rain started, it became even harder.
-3. Wudeknut was great commander, his followers weren't that good and couldn't really grasp his tactics. Instead Lucifer's legates could follow and fulfill his orders. This lead to many tactical maneuvers and barbarians were slaughtered in numbers. And ultimately when Wudeknut finally threw his best men to breach the legions, the legions retreated in orderly manner away from the valley and left the fresh vassal forces to hold the line. It was apparent that they couldn't hold the line and as Wudeknut still had large fresh forces to use. Victory was close for him. As soon as they would push them of the valley and to the plains, it would be Wudeknut's victory.
-4. Wudeknut's shamans warned him that there was something wrong in the air. There shouldn't have been rain and adviced caution. Wudeknut made his greatest mistake. He ignored his shamans. Shamans of the north didn't actually even mostly join the Wudeknut's armies but stayed north. The few that came were usually ignored. In the empire magic was illegal and "sorcerers" were hunted if found. Lucifer thought this to be foolish. He had seen true magic as a child and unknown to many he had tutored under one and was a wizard himself actually. And a strong one. During the year he had gathered forces as well, but mostly it was to gather mages. He had 1000 of different level of mages gathered hidden in the armies and when finally all of Wudeknut's armies were in the valley. Slaughter begun. Every single one of them including Lucifer released hell upon them. Earth split under them, fires struck from the sky, unbeliavable demons and monsters came from thin air and slaughtered Wudeknut's men. Legions were safe but Lucifer's vassal armies suffered with Wudeknut. This lasted for hour. After Wudeknut's armies were no more.
-Wudeknut was found after battle, wounded but alive. He was brought to Aureliapolis for public's pleasure to mock him and ultimately to crucification.
-Senate and many of the people were very afraid when their wizard emperor came with his mages and silently even plotted against him and this breach of ancient laws.
-Lucifer made new laws. He found the 8 schools of magic and the Imperial 9. school. During his reign the magic gained the system it holds even these days.
-Some say he made nefarious deals to gain power he had and there was price to pay. When he came to 30 years old, Lucifer just disappeared. No one knew where, not even the mages. Or at least they didn't tell others.
-Ruled 131-145 (disappeared 30 years old)

Amarius Maximus
(121-217)
-6. emperor. Lucifer's younger brother
-He was known as the lawmaker. During his reign the empire became very much the empire it is these days.
-Amarius also made peace with the senate and restored some of their power.
-He was a beloved emperor and made a lasting peace.
-Ruled 145-217 (died 94 years old)

...

Marcus Fulcos Maximus "the Mad"
(377-438)
-Abolished the senate and revoked many noble statuses
-His dictatorship lead to rebellion by ex-senators and large portion of high nobility
-War lasted 10 years before Marcus choked on chicken bone at his palace
-Ruled 421-438 (died 61 years old)

Lucius Maximus
(405-
-Ruled since 440-
-3. son of Marcus Fulcos
-His 2 elder brothers had been murdered before their father's death and Lucius himself was captured by the rebels
-Loyalists gathered around the claim of Marcus's bastard Gaius Severus. Loyalists weren't united though and Gaius drowned when fleeing by ship to his supporters's territories. After 2 years the loyalists were defeated and the war truly ended.
-Rebels restored the senate and crowned Lucius Maximus as emperor. He was 35 then.
-High nobility gained more freedom to rule and decentralization was increased. Emperor could do scarce things without the senate's support.

Year now 485