Cephorus IV

Cephorus IV

Personal details
HM The Dynast Emperor
Birth name	Cephorus Maximiliano Federico Alexandros
Birth date	03-04-7537
Birth place	Veneziano Palace, Cedelphia, Auresia
Death date	07-19-7637
Death place	Portivorno House, Isle of Galinara, Auresia
Burial place	Scarlet Cathedral, Epoxague
Monuments	several
Nationality	Auresian
Education	Doctor of Law
Alma mater	University of Gaaze
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Years active	7555-7637
Style	His Imperial Majesty
Height	199.39 cm
Predecessor	Emshandar III
Successor	Torian I
Spouse	Orosea Eshiala (m. 7555, d. 7633)
Children	6
Mother	Eddara Alexandros
Father	Cassus Alexandros
Relatives	Emthoro Alexandros, Jerec Alexandros, Soontir Alexandros (brothers)

Cephorus IV was the sixty-fifth Dynast Sovereign of the Imperial House of Auresia, reigning from 7567 to 7637.

Early life

TBD

Crown Prince

Cephorus' father suffered a heart attack on 2-19-7567 and was confined to hospital for several weeks. While there, he suffered a second, smaller attack and required surgery. When he was released to return home, he was counseled by the Imperial physician that a strict regimen of rest and low stress activities were best for his recovery. In consultation with his father and his ministers, the prince imperial opted to step aside in favour of his own son rather than jeapordise the succession by potentially being in delicate health during the critical period of transition that occurs during that time. Three days later, Cephorus was recognised as crown prince by the Senate and proclaimed the next day by his grandfather. Throughout the next few months, Cephorus would remain close to Emshandar, as was tradition. During this period, he learned more about the duties and expectations of both a crown prince and a future emperor, as he would sit with his grandfather while the emperor was working through his dispatch box every afternoon. Also, during this time, he represented Emshandar at several important functions both when the emperor was unable to attend himself, and when the experience would be invaluable to his education as the nation's future monarch. One of his most prominent roles during this time was when he opened the newly renovated Imperial Exchange in Porto Imperiale on 5-3-7567 and gave a brief speech on the state of the prospering Auresian economy.

Cephorus would be at Epoxague, with his wife and children when Emshandar passed away. The prince and princess imperial were out on a picnic in the park when word came on that his grandfather had been found dead at his desk from what was later revealed to be a sudden and massive stroke. Cutting their picnic short, the couple returned to the house where the prince, now emperor, received arriving family and met with the Lord Chamberlain. He was duly recognised as emperor the day after his grandfather's death. Cephorus' tenure as crown prince, lasting not quite four months, remains one of the shortest in Auresian history.

Dynast Emperor

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Death

Despite his advanced age, Cephorus remained busy in his last years. While he had slowed down and adopted a more sedate pace since his 80th birthday, the emperor maintained a consistent schedule and attended to daily business as he always had, meeting with his council and handling the daily papers and reports.

Following a custom he had established early in his reign, Cephorus traveled to Portivorno House on the Isle of Galinara, on 8-1-7637, where he intended to remain until just after the new year. As always, he kept in contact with his ministers and continued to transact important affairs. Much of the family would arrive throughout the following week. His last official business occurred on 8-12-7637, one week before his death, when he received the president at Portivorno House for a working lunch, discussing new proposals before the Senate regarding a range of concerns.

Cephorus was found dead in his bed at 0730 hours on 8-16-7637 by his valet, Giancarlo Coletti, when coming in to help him get dressed and finding the normally punctual emperor was still in bed. He had passed peacefully in his sleep during the early hours of that morning. The family was quietly informed, and a coded phone call to Veneziano Palace was made to inform them of what had happened. A public announcement was made at 1130 hours. Shortly prior to the announcement, black fabric was draped over the Golden Lion Throne and the portraits in the Throne Room, and the Tentenal outside the palace donned black ribbons of mourning pinned to their tunics. Flags were lowered to half mast shortly after the announcement was made.

Crown Prince Torian, having remained near to his grandfather throughout his last few years, was in residence at Portivorno when Cephorus died, and was notified of what had happened before any other member of the family. In keeping with tradition, he was quietly acknowledged as the new Dynast Emperor by the members of staff present. The Lord Chamberlain arrived a few hours later and formally recognised Torian as emperor and took possession of Cephorus' signet ring until preparations for his funeral were complete.

The emperor's body was transported back to Cedelphia aboard the Imperial train and lay in state in Exemplar Bartolomeo Cathedral for three days, guarded by two squadrons of Tentenal. On the fourth day, a service of remembrance was held, before the Imperial train again ferried the emperor's body across Auresia to Epoxague, where a second lying in state took place for one day prior to a private family service. In both cases, the emperor's body was escorted to and from the train by the full strength of the Tentenal Guard. Following this service, Cephorus' body was placed inside the tomb built for him in the north transept of the Scarlet Cathedral - one of only three dynast sovereigns to be so interred - alongside his beloved wife, who had died four year earlier.

Legacy

Cephorus IV is remembered by the people of Auresia as one of the greatest sovereigns they ever had. Raised in a tight-knit and loving family, hardened by war, and tempered by the devotion of his equally loved wife, he is remembered by history as a man capable of both stern action and great compassion, frequently guiding the nation through times both celebratory and difficult with that ever-present Imperial serenity that the people came to depend upon. As he aged, he became the nation's grandfather, with five generations of Auresian citizens being born and living during his long reign. He was hailed, especially during the later years of his rule, as the "one constant in an ever-changing world".

He is especially remembered for his steadfast leadership and guidance during the Great Scourge of 7598-7603, mirroring his great grandfather Willem II during the Pan-Anarian War when he made frequent visits to troops near the front lines, disregarding protests for his safety. While his private feelings against the Wolgos have never been known, he blocked the Curia's proposal to take harsher action against them when the conflict had ended, saying, "The Wolgos already depise us for free. Let's not give them any currency to add to that account."

Private life trivia

• His Imperial style in full was, "His Most Excellent and Discerning Sovereign Imperial Majesty Cephorus IV Maximus, by the Grace of Vind the Highest, Dynast Emperor of the Auresians, Father of the Nation, Fount of Honour, Defender of the Law, Custodian of the Five Sacred Shrines."
• His reign of 70 years, 4 months and 22 days is the longest in both Auresian and Anarian history, and one of the longest in world history.
• He is to date the only reigning monarch in world history to celebrate his centenary.
• He was married to Orosea Eshiala Filomeno, the youngest child of the Baron of Angrogna, from 5-9-7555 until her death on 7-4-7633 at the age of 96. Their marriage, lasting 78 years, is one of the longest of any royal couple in history. Empress Orosea is simultaneously the longest-serving empress consort in both Auresian and Anarian history.
• At his passing, Cephorus was survived by five children, nineteen grandchildren, twenty-six great grandchildren, and four great great grandchildren.
• He outlived all three of his younger brothers. Prince Emthoro died in 7626 (aged 87), Prince Jerec died in 7629 (aged 88), and Prince Soontir died in 7633 (aged 90).
• He is only the fifth Auresian monarch to be proclaimed "Maximus".

Legacy

TBD