Lore:Pelagius I

Emperor Pelagius Septim I
A statue possibly depicting Pelagius I
Race	Man	Gender	Male
Born		Second Era
Died		3E 41 Temple of the One, Imperial City
Resided in		Imperial City
Reign		3E 38- 3E 41
Previous Ruler		Tiber Septim
Next Ruler		Kintyra I

Pelagius Septim I was the second emperor of the Septim Dynasty, ruling the Third Empire for less than three years, from 3E 38 to 3E 41. He was preceded by his grandfather, Tiber Septim, and was succeeded by his first cousin once removed, Kintyra I.

Biography

Pelagius Septim's parentage is unknown, but he was the grandson of Tiber Septim. Circa 3E 14, Barenziah came to live with the imperial family until she turned eighteen, and Pelagius reportedly came to love her like a sister. On his deathbed in 3E 38, Tiber named Pelagius his successor, and after Tiber's death, Pelagius was crowned Emperor of Tamriel.

According to one source, Pelagius I was initially nervous about managing all the provinces, so the Underking approached the Emperor and offered to serve as an advisor. After his accession, Pelagius I reportedly viewed Barenziah with hostility, contrary to his prior friendship with her. However, the Emperor had absolute trust in Barenziah's prime minister, Symmachus, who was a friend and general of his grandfather. Pelagius I was as strong and resolute as Tiber, and it was believed that his reign would be a continuation of the golden age that Tamriel experienced during his grandfather's reign.

In 3E 41, Pelagius I was assassinated by the Dark Brotherhood while he was praying at the Temple of the One in the Imperial City. An unknown individual hired the Dark Brotherhood to assassinate Pelagius I in order to bring about a change in imperial policy. Pelagius had no living children, so the Ruby Throne passed to his first cousin once removed, Kintyra, the daughter of Tiber's brother Agnorith.

Notes

• 1

  There is some disagreement regarding Pelagius' relationship with Tiber Septim. A version of Brief History of the Empire and the Biography of Barenziah refer to Pelagius as Tiber's son, but a revised version of Brief History of the Empire, Pocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition, and The Arcturian Heresy refer to Pelagius as Tiber's grandson. Additionally, the original version of The Real Barenziah refers to Pelagius as Tiber's son, while the revised version of the book instead refers to him as both Tiber's grandson and son, directly contradicting itself. More evidence seems to corroborate Pelagius being Tiber's grandson, so this can be assumed to be correct.