The Grand Empire of Hellea (pronounced ha-LAY-ah), also known as the Hellean Empire, was a nation that briefly controlled the entire Hellean peninsula. Under the rule of the hero-god Eurykrates, this short-lived empire existed from its formation in Y4580* until its leader's death in Y4592*.
Geography
At its peak, the Grand Empire of Hellea encompassed the entire Hellean peninsula, from the southern islands of the Alyma Archipelago to the Sentinel Peaks in the north, and as far west as the Naveza River. The empire included many of the islands of the Sea of Ersas, and even expanded across the sea into parts of modern-day Ertan and Hkarzda.
History
The history of the Grand Empire of Hellea is inextricably tied with that of its founder and sole leader, Eurykrates. Born in what is now Ephardia around Y4552*, Eurykrates was the son of a minor local ruler. Full of ambition and a drive to bring together the disparate peoples of Hellea into something larger, in Y4572* he raised a loyal army and set about unifying the kingdoms and city-states of the peninsula under himself. These campaigns grew in scope over the next 18 years, as the strength of Eurykrates' army increased alongside his aspirations. Through his exploits Eurykrates attained the status of a hero-god in Y4584*, and by Y4590* his empire reached its zenith.
The fortunes of the empire would change in Y4592*. After declaring his intent to conquer the lands of Rothurland, Eurykrates traveled with his army to the frontier at the Naveza River, near the modern town of Third Bridge. Following a prophecy delivered to him by one of his cyclopean seers, Eurykrates set off alone into the forests, believing a great power was there that could aid him in his next conquest. Instead, he met his end after he was unceremoniously slain by a tribe of giants.
Without their leader, Eurykrates' army retreated in disarray. The former territories of the empire were divided between Eurykrates' 26 generals, who each claimed legitimate succession and used the forces loyal to them to carve out a part of the only briefly united peninsula. The resulting successor states, also known as diadochi, squabbled and fought amongst themselves as each attempted to reassert control. Nearly all eventually collapsed, eventually transforming into the patchwork of monarchies and republics that make up Hellea today. While some of these states would later reunify, Hellea has never again been under the control of one flag.
Demographics
The Grand Empire was as diverse as modern Hellea is today. Individuals of many ancestries lived under the empire, though the majority was human.
Government
The Grand Empire of Hellea was an autocracy under Eurykrates. Always more focused on his next conquest than on consolidation of his empire, Eurykrates did not set about centralizing his rule or establishing formal systems of governance, preferring to allow existing local leaders to remain in control as long as they swore loyalty to him.