Eugeron the Kind

I admit that the Hegemony's throne was never something I wanted. But rather I take it than the realm break out into devastating civil strife. Someone has to keep the world in order.

— Eugeron justifying his decision

In contrast to his successors, Eugeron is usually pointed to as a good if mediocre ruler. A man that loved his nation and guided it. Someone who build the Hegemony back up, only for his family to squander all that he had accomplished. The truth, like always, is not nearly as simple. At first glance, his actions might seem less disastrous than those of Seron "the Red" or Vespasian the Usurper and many claim that he cannot be blamed for what occurred after his death. And while that is certainly true, there can be no doubt that it was his actions that kickstarted the final downfall of the Second Tarquinnian Hegemony.

Life in Exile

Eugeron's life began in late 2140 DA, in Aedes Ceranis the great northern fortress. His family had been banished there in 2103 when a cabal of powerful nobles had driven his grandfather Lucius from the capital. Said man had been the grandson of Julia the Golden and legitimate heir to the Hegemony, but found himself unable to resist the conspirators who held sway over both the Imperial Guard and Army. Isolated from southern court life and mostly forgotten about by the wider world, Eugeron and his brothers grew up in comparatively simple circumstances. They nevertheless enjoyed some of the best education available. Eugeron followed after his grandfather and father, becoming governor of Aedes Ceranis in 2165 DA.

Rise to Power

This unremarkable life came to an abrupt end in 2180 when the Purple Blood Plague wiped out most of the Hegemony's nobility. With both Emperor and heir dead the throne was open to being reclaimed. Edged on by his brothers, Eugeron began his journey south in early Iunis. Word spread quickly and soon he was joined by sections of the Imperial Army. Within two weeks he had reached Tarquinnia and secured the loyalty of the governor there. Another week later saw him arrive in front of Velaris with 25.000 soldiers at his back. Opposing him were 32.000 soldiers led by Valentinian Imaris, who had previously served as governor of Vardania's western provinces. Now he dared to claim the imperial throne with the support of the Hegemony's old senatorial class. For two days, both sides stared at one another. The stalemate was only broken when Valentinian was assassinated by a disgruntled former supporter. On the 28th of Iunis, Eugeron marched into Velaris and crowned himself Emperor.

The Kind Emperor

For more information on the later part of Eugeron's rule see: Gathering Storm
His reign saw relatively few noteworthy events and was largely characterized by Eugeron's personality. Always a kind and softspoken man, Eugeron was viewed as a grandfatherly figure by many citizens of the Hegemony. Feasts, games and generous gifts were the norm under him, the Emperor seeing it as his personal duty to lighten the daily strain of his subjects. When a series of famines hit eastern Anidara in 2187, Eugeron did his best to alleviate the situation. He took similar care with every other disaster occurring under his reign. His policy toward the various subject people of the Hegemony was one of reconciliation and he did his best to ease growing ethnic tensions. This proved to be too little too late, however.
On the family front, things looked much dimmer. Eugeron seemed to be cursed in terms of family, surviving four of his wives, nearly all of his brothers and thirteen of his children. Only three of them would reach the age of five. The result was an increasing paranoia which would eventually form the basis of Eugeron's later decisions, the most infamous of those undoubtedly the Eugerian Edict of 2190. Together with his apathy toward direly needed reforms and indecision regarding which of his sons would be his heir, this would sow the seeds for the disaster that was the Prince's War. Luckily for him, Eugeron would not live to see this. He died on the 28th of Decem 2209 DA, passing away peacefully in his sleep. Rumours that his fifth wife Miera assassinated him are unproven.

I do not need your doubt Amelian. This matter is already decided. The edict will ensure that our family will endure for centuries after our deaths.

— Eugeron on the creation of the Princes

Ethnicity

Vardanians

Honorary & Occupational Titles

Emperor of the Hegemony 2180-2209
Governor of Aedes Ceranis

Life

2140 DA 2209 DA 69 years old

Height

1,94m

Weight

95kg

Failed Usurper
Today Valentinian Imaris is largely forgotten and most people that even know of Eugeron's rise to power have no idea that it almost escalated into civil war. The man that challenged Eugeron before the gates of Velaris had served the Hegemony for nearly fifty years. Hailing from a senatorial family, Valentinian had begun to climb the ladder of power early. By 1480 DA, he had not only risen to govern the Imperial Heartlands around the capital but controlled most of western Vardania's provinces through puppet governors.

by Ottaviano