Pocket Guide to the Empire , Third Edition : Cyrodiil Pocket Guide to the Empire , Third Edition Author : Imperial Geographic Society Content . Like the diamond in the center of the Amulet of Kings , Cyrodiil is the heart of the Septim Empire and Tamriel . Still largely forested and almost landlocked , the beauty of the land has been sung of since time immemorial . Three Empires have wielded their power from the strategic center of the continent , so it is little wonder that Cyrodiil is widely known simply as The Imperial Province . History . The early Aldmer i settlers to Tamriel established strongholds on the islands of Summerset and along the coasts , but did not venture far inland . Only oral histories and the fragmented ballad of Topal the Pilot offer glimpses of the ancient beast races that inhabited the land , but they are shadowy , mist - drawn portraits of time before reckoning . It is not until the coming of the Ayleid that Cyrodilic history truly begins . The Ayleids were ancient Aldmer , cousins of all the elven races that exist to this day . Over time , they became a distinct people , crafting a civilization whose ruins still puzzle and fascinate modern archeologists and adventurers . The ancient Nedic people , spreading south from Skyrim , became the slave labor for their ambitions , centered around the White - Gold Tower . The slave rebellion of Alessia in the 242nd year of the First Era is a seminal event in the history of Cyrodiil , and all of Tamriel . While humans and Elves had been battling in Skyrim for some time and the Slave Queen ' s revolt could not be called the first victory of men over mer , it represents a turning point in the continental power structure . The heart of Tamriel was going to belong to these former slaves , present day Cyrodilics or Imperial s , forever more . With the aid of the Nord s of Skyrim , the Cyrodilics consolidated their power , forming a loose alliance between the two sometimes disparate regions : the rich Nibenay Valley and the remote , rough Colovia n Highlands . While the Alessian Empire continued to push westward towards the Direnni lands in High Rock , the greatest change was a cultural and religious one . The prophet Maruhk ' s teachings both brought identity to Cyrodiil , codifying the pantheon most civilized Tamriellians worship to this day , and brought conflict due to the more severe strictures he espoused . The next great transformation of the land came from distinctly external forces . The foiled Akaviri invasion of 2703 brought about a new dynasty , and a new spirit of cooperation among independent nations , dedicated to fighting the common threat . Under the Emperor Reman I , Cyrodiil became truly cosmopolitan , incorporating aspects of High Rock , Colovia , Nibenay and the sophisticated if strange culture of the defeated Akaviri into a common whole . The Cyrodilic Empire , also called the Second Empire , began again the process of expansion , founding a strong single nation , if not actually succeeding in conquering the entire continent . The assassination of Reman III and his son and heir Juilek at the end of the Four Score War with Morrowind marked the end of an era , if not the end of the Second Empire . Under the Akaviri Potentates , the system of governing continued to evolve throughout the Second Era , progresses that abruptly ended with the assassination of the last Potentate in the year 2E 430 . The rest of the Second Era was a time of great darkness and chaos throughout Tamriel , nowhere moreso than in Cyrodiil . Without a central government , Nibenay and Colovia split apart , farms fell fallow , villages were left in ruin and the former Imperial highways became no man ' s land , the realm of bandit kings . The Imperial City itself became the prize for an endless series of would - be emperors , fought over for centuries until its glory was only a faded shadow of the great days when it ruled Tamriel . The rise of Tiber Septim has been amply documented in the history , and in a hundred books besides . In Cyrodiil , his influence could not be overemphasized . He gave the land back its traditional power and more , and became the symbol of it . He founded the dynasty that reigns to this very day . Cyrodiil , of course , helped Tiber Septim as much as he helped it . It gave legitimacy and a sense of history to his legend , which grew even ahead of his conquests . The Imperial City and Cyrodiil rose again in splendor , occasionally tarnished by the weakness of some of Septim ' s descendants , the war of the Red Diamond and the Imperial Simulacrum , but never again did it loose its luster . Current Events . The Imperial Province has continued to be the stable heart of the Empire , offering a model to its satellites of a government that settles disputes by diplomacy , not by force of arms . The recent marriage of Lady Alessia , daughter of the Countess of Chorrol to Count Marius Caro of Leyawiin typifies this , a perfect blend of love and sound political judgement . Nevertheless , there have been a few frightening moments in Cyrodiil in the recent years . A suspected outbreak of the Knahaten Flu , a threat for the first time in hundreds of years , sparked panic along the southern border with Black Marsh . It was revealed to be a hoax , perhaps created by Argonian s fighting back against Imperial excursions led by the Blackwood Company , and the fear was dissipated . Family strife in Kvatch claimed the lives of both sons of Count Haderus Goldwine , vying for the inheritance . While peace has been restored , the Count , at the time of this writing is still in mourning and has not designated a new heir . In the Imperial Court , there is thankfully no such tragedy . While the Emperor chose not to remarry following the Empress death more than fifty years ago , she left to him three healthy boys who have spent their adult years learning the arts of politics from their masterful liege and father . Crown Prince Geldall has already taken many of Uriel ' s responsibilities , and has impressed one and all with his acumen . As the heart of the Empire is solid , all of Tamriel is strong .