This title of Emperor has applied to either the rulers of the Septim Dynasty (also known as the Third Empire), or the dynasty founded by Reman Cyrodiil (also known as the Second Empire), who ruled over much of Cyrodiil and most of Tamriel during the Second Era, along with his successors. The Emperor is assisted in governing the Empire by the Elder Council . After Martin Septim cast Mehrunes Dagon back to Oblivion, the Septim Dynasty came to an end, leaving the Imperial throne vacant for several years until Titus Mede sieged the Imperial City and took control of the crumbling empire early in the Fourth Era.

AscensionEdit

Emperors ascend to the throne through bloodlines. The title is usually handed from father to son, upon the death of the former. The title has been handed to dowagers of Emperors, most notably Katariah. In the absence of an heir, the Elder Council rules in the Emperor's place until a suitable alternative can be crowned. Since the reign of Tiber Septim, the Blades, a faction of knights, served as the protectors of the Emperor and his or her heirs.

The Amulet of KingsEdit

When Saint Alessia rallied the slaves against the Ayleids, Akatosh bestowed upon her the gem that would later be faceted into the Amulet of Kings. The jewel later became crucial in the crowning of Cyrodilic Emperors.

During the Septim Dynasty, newly crowned Emperors brought the amulet to the Temple of the One to light the Dragonfires and keep the barrier between Tamriel and Oblivion shut. Martin Septim, an illegitimate heir, broke the tradition when he destroyed the amulet to invoke Akatosh and return Mehrunes Dagon to Oblivion, thus sealing the barrier between Oblivion and Tamriel forever.

After the Oblivion CrisisEdit

After the death of the last Septim, the Elder Council struggled to maintain peace in Cyrodiil, placing new Emperors on the throne -- none of which were well-taken by the people of the Empire. Eventually a Colovian warlord named Titus Mede conquered the Imperial City with just a thousand men and crowned himself Emperor. Thus began the Mede Dynasty.

Septim EmperorsEdit

• Tiber (born Hjalti Early-Beard, deified as the god Talos)
• Pelagius I
• Kintyra I
• Uriel I
• Uriel II
• Pelagius II
• Antiochus 
• Kintyra II
• Uriel III
• Cephorus I
• Magnus
• Pelagius III
• Katariah
• Cassynder
• Uriel IV
• Cephorus II
• Uriel V
• Uriel VI
• Morihatha
• Pelagius IV
• Uriel VII
• Martin

Mede EmperorsEdit

• Titus I
• Attrebus
• Titus II

SourcesEdit

• The Amulet of Kings