Emperor Justinian II: Difference between revisions
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He was married (and widowed) twice. First to 'Dianna' the grand-daughter of Paulus (the last King of [[Byzantrium]]), and then to Cyrene, the niece of King Atheus of [Erganth]. With his two wives he had a total of 9 children, the eldest of which was Eternius – a bully and a coward that few wished to be the next Emperor, including (allegedly) Justinian. It is somewhat of a tragedy and a relief that Eternius was killed in a hunting accident in 1178IE, which left his younger brother [[Ephestus]] - a man much like his father - to follow the family's work. | He was married (and widowed) twice. First to 'Dianna' the grand-daughter of Paulus (the last King of [[Byzantrium]]), and then to Cyrene, the niece of King Atheus of [Erganth]. With his two wives he had a total of 9 children, the eldest of which was Eternius – a bully and a coward that few wished to be the next Emperor, including (allegedly) Justinian. It is somewhat of a tragedy and a relief that Eternius was killed in a hunting accident in 1178IE, which left his younger brother [[Emperor Ephestus|Ephestus]] - a man much like his father - to follow the family's work. | ||
Revision as of 16:10, 11 October 2009
The Emperor Justinian II was born in 1105IE (the eldest of the two sons of Emperor Augustine XI). After the death of his father in 1124IE Justinian began his 55-year reign which was remarkable both for its long duration and its success at defending itself against repeated attacks from external forces.
If power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely then Justinian, as Emperor should have been more corrupt than the Demon princes themselves. However, despite a somewhat morbid fascination with death and regularly attending bloody gladiatorial matches in the capital city, Justinian is remembered as not obviously more corrupt than anyone else in that position.
His main defining trait appears to have been a rather healthy paranoia regarding his safety, which resulted in Justinian relocating the Imperial court twice. Initially in 1161IE when it moved away from the capital city of Cinnibar to 'Sanctuary' – an armoured fortress in the barren foothills east of Rolac. Then again in 1177IE when it became known that the old Elven city of Qualinost had been abandoned.
Like all Emperors, Justinian traced his family line back to Darameus, the first Emperor of Merebia. Historians recall that Darameus was a leader, visionary, megalomaniac and psychopath (in no particular order). Justinian reputedly shared none of the qualities that made his ancestor great, and left much of the day-to-day running of the Empire to the Imperial Senate and the Kings.
In his youth, Justinian was a good looking man, who was tall and muscular. He was fortunate to retain his looks and his height well into his final years.
He was married (and widowed) twice. First to 'Dianna' the grand-daughter of Paulus (the last King of Byzantrium), and then to Cyrene, the niece of King Atheus of [Erganth]. With his two wives he had a total of 9 children, the eldest of which was Eternius – a bully and a coward that few wished to be the next Emperor, including (allegedly) Justinian. It is somewhat of a tragedy and a relief that Eternius was killed in a hunting accident in 1178IE, which left his younger brother Ephestus - a man much like his father - to follow the family's work.
