Arandor was one of the most powerful empires in human history. Not only was it founded by one simple man but held for almost 800 years. During that time the Arandorian civilization prospered and advanced humankind from a tribal to a technologically advanced species.
Below you can read a quick rundown of how the empire was founded, what it stood for, and how it ultimately crumbled. To get a deeper understanding of the historical events that happened during the founding, reign, and fall of the empire you can head over to the History section and follow the events from the Second Age through to the Third Age.
Founding
The territory that would later form Arandor was initially a fragmented assemblage of tribes and clans that frequently engaged in hostilities against each other.
Tiberius The Great is regarded as the founder of Arandor, being acknowledged for uniting the tribes in the region of the Aranthas Province under his banner and establishing the foundation for the empire by laying the brickwork of the great city of Aranthas. Tiberius was an eminent warrior and leader, revered for his ability to inspire his followers and acquire the allegiance of his adversaries.
Through Tiberius' rule, the region that evolved into Arandor became a hub of trade, culture, and knowledge, with the city Aranthas burgeoning into a flourishing metropolis that drew envy from the surrounding areas.
Over time, the empire’s domain continued to expand, with Tiberius' conquering neighboring territories and assimilating them into the realm.
For detailed historical accounts please visit:
The Arandor Dynasty
The ascendancy of House Arandor to the apex of power in the empire occurred only after Tiberius' death and the subsequent power struggles and succession crisis. The family name was derived from the Arandor region, meant to display dominion over all of the provinces.
The dynasty rose to pre-eminence in the years following Tiberius' demise, with its members emerging as the dominant ruling family of the empire. The Arandor family was renowned for their military prowess, leadership abilities, and unyielding strength. Their rule spanned for several centuries, during which the empire experienced significant growth in power and influence.
Notable members of House Arandor include King Orin and his wife Queen Elara, whose reign marked the beginning of the demise of the empire led by The 7-Year Uprising.
To learn more about how House Arandor became the empire's dynasty please visit The Arandorian Empire where you’ll find detailed accounts of their ascend to power.
The 7-Year Uprising
The uprising that instigated the third age of the history of men marked a significant event that ultimately led to the downfall of the empire and its division into several hundred sovereign dominions. Prince Emrys, the younger brother of King Orin, who ruled during that time, was the instigator of the rebellion disguised as the cunning Lord Rua, driven by his thirst for power and his desire to claim the throne for himself.
Prince Emrys claimed the right to the throne after the assassination of his brother's son, Prince Eldred, under unclear circumstances, which placed him next in line for succession. Moreover, King Orin's power was significantly weakened after the death of his late wife, Queen Elara, leaving him desperate for powerful alliances. Prince Emrys capitalized on this weakness and joined forces with the nobles of the realm who shared his ambition, inciting an uprising against his brother, King Orin, quickly securing control over significant provinces of the realm.
The uprising was marked by intense battles and skirmishes between the loyalists of King Orin and the rebel forces led by Lord Rua, resulting in widespread chaos and suffering among the populace. The conflict lasted for 7 years, leading to the eventual usurpation of the throne by the rebel forces, forcing King Orin to flee.
The lack of a clear line of succession meant that the nobles were left to choose a new ruler for the empire. Prince Emrys put forward his claim to the throne, but many of the nobles were skeptical of his ambition and his role in inciting the uprising, leading to their rejection of his claim.
For a more detailed historical account please visit The 7-Year Uprising.
The War of Houses
Following the rebellion that deposed King Orin and led to the semi-ascent of Prince Emrys to the throne, the nobles of the realm found themselves in a precarious position. With no clear successor in sight and the legitimacy of Prince Emrys' claim to the throne being contested, the lords were faced with the challenging task of choosing a new ruler for the empire.
However, the nobles proved to be incapable of reaching a consensus, each beginning to assert their own claims to the throne, igniting a bitter struggle for power that would come to be known as the War of Houses. The empire was torn apart as each lordship sought to establish its own dominion as the dominant force within the once-united empire.
The period of political instability that followed was marked by extreme violence, with each lordship vying for power and control over the empire. The conflict was characterized by shifting alliances and battle lines, with no clear victor emerging and still ongoing.
For a more detailed historical account please visit The War of Houses.
Founded in 182 SA by Tiberius The Great the empire prevailed all through the Second Age establishing itself as the most powerful human civilization on Altea.