The High Yophenthean Empire, 553 to 840, was the period of nearly three hundred years when the Yophenthean Empire was ruled by a single monarchy, supported by a legate patron. The first ruler of this period, Erreach, gave his namesake to his successors. The system worked more or less successfully until 840 when First Sack of Yophénthë brought about its collapse. During the preceding Calantuvese Dynasty, the role of the priest-king was slowly changing from a combined figurehead and military leader to ruler who chose a chief general to direct the military. The tension between the Erreach and the legate patron rose and waned throughout the nearly three hundred years in which this system operated.

The high empire, described as the unified monarchy, is the period of nearly three centuries when the functions of the king and high priest of the sun were held in a single office and person. Erreach whose name by his successors' use, became a synonym for Erithraigean, was a charismatic potentate who relied on the shrewdness of loyal generals. Through a cunning internal coup d'état among the generals, he secured their submission and re-founded the priest-kingdom with a renaissance for Yophenthean civilization. Erreach and his first successor held great power, but with time, the "patron legates" usurped this power without dethroning the priest-king who was held to be sacrosanct and the offense of whom brought the tacit rule of the military leader into disrepute. Access to the priest-king became restricted and he often lived as a prisoner on the island of Erechóreb with all the trappings of kingship and priesthood without any real power. This table shows the military rulers, similar to the Japanese Shoguns. The firstborn of the High Priest of the Sun was with rare exception always the successor. For the legate patrons, succession was not so simple. The legate's son could succeed him, but any victorious general could overthrow the legate and claim the legate-patronage for himself.

The Erreachs or priest-kings were given the name Erreach on birth, but adopted a regnal name and so were called Erreach plus the regnal name. The holy court of the Priest-King during this period was infamous for lavish pageantry and rich adornments. It was customary for the royal family to wear golden silk brocade with metallic gold threading for so much as an informal outing to one of many royal parks on the island of Erechóreb. Despite his limited political power, the priest-king presided directly over the holy senate and appointed many of the diocesan high priests throughout the empire with the tacit approval of the legate patron. There were thirteen priest-kings during the High Yophenthean Empire.

The High Empire came to an end in 840 with the First Sack of Yophénthë which saw the theft of the Sixteen Tablets of Arathrax, the slaying of the Legate Patron and the capture and subsequent execution of the Priest-King in the Jaggudorns.

Organization of the Empire, ca 570

PREFECTURES

Prefecture of the Golden Isles

Diocese of Erechóreb, Yophénthë, Rhafyx

Diocese of Nymentho

Prefecture of Pytharnia

Diocese of Ambrulia

Diocese of

Prefecture of the East

Diocese of Midretasso

Province of Vimalia

Diocese of Ithatia

Diocese of Ichobia (Lucacia)

Prefecture of Erserce

Prefecture of Danona

Diocese of Ambrinqua

Diocese of Kisphia

Diocese of Thrysto

Prefecture of Shelekhumbia (Elántuventh)

Prefecture of Orrhymbia

Prefecture of Barathorn

Duke of the East (Anauria)

Other governmental bodies: Consistory of High Templars; Count of the Court; Magisterial Court (Arathracian Church doctrine)

Civil Organization

**Civil Organization**
Body	Governor	Yophenthean	Remark
Empire	Priest-King, "Sun Lord"
Imperial Military	Legate Patron "Suzerain Commander"
Prefecture	Prefect
Diocese	Vicar, Exarch
Province	Proconsul
Anauria	Duke of the East

High Yophenthean Empire

Organization of the Empire, ca 570

Civil Organization

See Also

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