The largest of the empires in the world of
EVE, Amarr spans 40% of the inhabited solar systems. The Amarr Emperor
is the head of a ritualistic, authoritarian imperial state, and below
him are the Five Heirs, the heads of the five royal families from which
a new Emperor is chosen. The Emperor's authority is unquestioned and
absolute, but the archaic and bureaucratic system of government makes
it difficult for him to exert his rule unless directly in person. Otherwise,
the Five Heirs rule in his name, dividing the huge empire between them.
The Emperor and the Five Heirs can expect to live for at least 500 years.
Extensive cyber-implants keep their frail bodies alive, even when their
organs begin to fail. These cyber-enhancements date back many millennia,
and have become a symbol of royal divinity in the eyes of the Amarrians.
Always a deeply religious people, religion remains of great importance
to every Amarrian, a fervour which at various times has been responsible
both for great good and great evil. Shortly after recovering from the
closure of EVE, they began to expand their realm at the expense of neighbouring
states. The nations they conquered were enslaved, a practice justified
by their religion. Ever since, the Amarrians have enslaved every nation
and race they have encountered, and today slavery is an essential part
of Amarr society. This has, of course, tainted their relations with
other races, especially the individualistic Gallenteans.
The Amarrians were the first of the races in EVE to re-discover Warp
technology, notably Jump gate technology. After accomplishing this more
than 2,000 years ago, they immediately began expanding to nearby solar
systems, slowly building up their empire in the process. On the way,
they encountered two human races, both of whom suffered the fate of
being enslaved by the far more powerful Amarrians.
In recent years, however, the Amarrians have begun to run into serious
opposition. First, they met the Gallente Federation. Although much smaller
than the Amarr Empire, the Amarrians soon found the economic and military
might of the Gallenteans a match for their own.
Soon after, the Jovians arrived on the scene and the Amarrians made
a futile attempt to subjugate them, resulting in a humiliating defeat.
To make matters worse, the Minmatars, enslaved for centuries by the
Amarrians, used the opportunity to rebel against their slave-masters.
Since these fateful events almost two centuries ago, the Amarrians have
learned restraint. They have slowed down their expansion and are less
forceful in their dealings with other races, but still view themselves
as the most powerful race in EVE, if only because of their sheer numbers.
