Septim dynasty

The Septim dynasty was founded by Tiber Septim, who established the Third Empire in 2E 896 after decades of conquest, thus marking the end of the Second Era and the advent of the Third.

Under the Septims, Tamriel prospered and its provinces enjoyed peace and stability that had not been seen since before the chaotic centuries of the Interregnum. New conflicts would still arise, however, which would stretch the Empire to the breaking point as the Third Era wound on. A battle over the royal succession ensued during the War of the Red Diamond between 3E 120 and 3E 127. The Camoran Usurper seized control of Valenwood and Hammerfell from 3E 249 to 3E 267. Emperor Uriel V spearheaded an ill-fated invasion of Akavir in 3E 288, resulting in the emperor's death and the loss of a considerable portion of the Empire's military strength. Head battlemage Jagar Tharn overthrew Uriel VII and ruled for a decade beginning in 3E 389, a period that would become known as the Imperial Simulacrum.

Through all of these challenges, the Empire held and the Septim line survived. Their end came in 3E 433 with the onset of the Oblivion Crisis. Emperor Uriel VII and his heirs were assassinated by the Mythic Dawn in a single night, and the Dragonfires ceased to burn. The daedric prince Mehrunes Dagon launched a massive invasion of Tamriel. Although one last Septim heir, Martin Septim, was located, he sacrificed himself to repel the daedra and seal the breach. With the Septims gone and the Empire's fate uncertain, the Third Era concluded and the Fourth Era began.