Imperium

 This page is under renovation. Read about the overall process here. Check the content in the sandbox and the earlier version. Imperium (IMP), also known as the Hegemonian Empire, is a confederation of 90 first-level entities that are primarily located in Central Arhet. The confederation has a total area of 13,982,120 km² (5.4 million sq mi) and an estimated total population of nearly 978 million. It is governed as a constitutional monarchy with a hybrid system of supranational and intergovernmental decision-making.

As a confederation, Imperium is governed through eight independent, supranational and intergovernmental Hegemonian institutions: the Hegemonian Council, Epistalma, Senate, High Council, Hegemonian Court, Aerarium, Hegemonian Bank and the Hegemonian Military Council. The Hegemonian Council is seated alternatively between Arx Consularis (map) and Orei (map); while the Epistalma and the Senate are both seated in Magium (map), as they are closely related. The remaining six institutions are seated in Dicaearchus (map), Balisipo (map), Olisipo (map), Merkatos (map) and Lichas (map).

The elected emperor, as the Vicary of Magius Aeternus and the symbol of the unity of the Hegemonian peoples, is the ceremonial head of state. Prior to the current era, constitutional monarchy, Imperium's form of government evolved from an absolutist monarchy in the Ethereal Empire and Dominate, to an elective monarchy during the First and Second Electivate, where the emperor was elected by the High Council and eventually, also by the Senate. The Consules Plebeii, elected by the Senate, are the heads of government.

Etymology and terminology
The term Imperium comes from the Hegemonian language (the dominant language throughout its history), meaning "great power" and, by extension, "empire". By general convention, the version of early historian Fabius Musca is widely accepted as the term's etymology. Musca explains that the term is related to Magius Aeternus, as the "great power over the Hegemonian peoples", the first wielder of magic and his divine origin (being the twin of Zeus and protected by the goddess Rhea; and ascending to the Ether alive).

The adjective Aetherium, from the Hegemonian (meaning "ethereal, celestial, heavenly"), initially reinforced the idea that Imperium was governed by Magius Aeternus through his direct descendants, formally named as the Vicaries of Magius Aeternus and, most of them, also Hegemonian deities. The adjective fell into disuse following the accession to the throne of Titanius II in 221 CE, the first emperor without direct relation to Magius Aeternus and, consequently, losing the right to be a deity - as most of his predecessors were.

Following the proclamation of the First Electivate, the Icarian term ἡγεμονία (hēgemonía), meaning "rule, authority, political supremacy", emerged as synonym of Imperium and as demonym for the Hegemonian peoples, as explained by the 5th century historian Erichthonius: "the name was adopted due to Imperium's undeniable political, economic and military predominance over other countries".