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 (aged 100) |
| 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 |
| {{{occupation}}} | |
| 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
Cephorus Maximiliano Federico Alexandros was born in the early morning hours of 3-4-7537 to Prince Imperial Cassus and Princess Imperial Eddara Alexandros. He was delivered in the Imperial Suite of Veneziano Palace by the Imperial physician, Doctor Mario Martinelli. He was baptised three days later and presented to the public one week after his birth according to tradition. From birth, he was third in the line of succession, after his father and uncle, Prince Aurrus. Because of his place in the succession, he was the subject of considerable expectations, and his childhood was a combination of intensive education, training in a variety of skills both vital and useful to a future emperor. He studied literature, music, writing, basic and advanced mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry, and history. By the time he was sixteen, he knew three languages. Despite this strict regimen, he would fondly remember playing in the Imperial Gardens, going horseback riding with his mother and grandmother on Galinara, and duck and pheasant hunting trips with his father and grandfather in Epoxague Great Park. Early on he developed a deep fondness for books, and quickly amassed a considerable collection of his own which would continue to grow throughout his lifetime. By the time of his death, his private library contained over 50,000 books, divided between his studies at Veneziano, Epoxague, and Portivorno. The collection counts some of the rarest manuscripts and original prints of some of the world's best-known literary works. The collection remains the private property of the monarch and cannot be sold. Throughout his life, Cephorus would publish several extensive and highly detailed research papers on astronomy, chemistry, and world history, which became three lifelong passions of his.
Cephorus first met his future wife, Orosea Eshiala Filomeno, in mid-7546, when they were both nine years old, when the baron and baroness brought their children and grandchildren to the capital with them during the start of the social season. Becoming fast friends, they would grow closer during their years at the elite Lidonia School, and would court throughout late 7553 and 7554. Shortly before Winterfest of 7554 he asked her to marry him and received the approval of his grandfather and the consent of her father. The engagement was announced on the first day of Winterfest. They were wed in the Exemplar Bartolomeo Cathedral on 5-9-7555. Their first child, son Faykan, was born on 6-6-7556. Over the next seven years, they would have five more children: son Elrood (born 7558), twin sons Calo and Galdo (born 7560), son Dominico (born 7562) and daughter Opia (born 7563).
Beginning in mid-7555, Cephorus attended the University of Gaaze and opted to study law and jurisprudence. After completion of his first two years, he spent the next two years studying at the Imperial Military Academy in Bellucente, gaining his Army commission in 7557. He would spend the next ten years in military service, while simultaneously continuing his studies. He led troops in several engagements, and ultimately commanded forces involved in the TBD conflict of late 7563. It was in this conflict that he was seriously injured by an artillery blast, breaking both of his legs and suffering serious blood loss before being found by a retrieval team several hours later. It required four surgeries and nearly three months of physical therapy before he was able to walk without the aid of a stick, and he suffered arthritis in both legs in his later life as a result. He left active military service in 7566 at the rank of major general with several commendations and honours to his name. Several of his fellow aristocratic officers, close friends all, likewise served in the conflict and would later be Great Officers of State on his privy council. These included Lord Humilio (the future Lord Privy Seal), Lord Barsavi (the future Lord President of the Council), Lord Acilida (the future Master Engineer), Lord Cozzolini (the future Lord Marshal), Lord Rambaldi (the future Lord Chamberlain), and Lord Gervasius (the future Lord Chancellor of the Treasury).
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
TBD
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 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 three days 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