Spytihnev the Arbitrator
| Spytihnev V | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Neritsy Emperor | |
| Reign | 1836–1840 |
| Election | 3 Conservene 1836 |
| Predecessor | Ostrobor V |
| Successor | Zdravoslav |
| Terophatic Emperor of the Vesnites | |
| Reign | 1816–1840 |
| Election | 30 Sation 1816 |
| Predecessor | Miroslav |
| Successor | Zdravoslav |
| Born | 15 Floridy 1780  Axopol, Terophan |
| Died | 26 Empery 1840 (aged 60)  Great Pestul, Azophin |
| House | Imperial House Tirfats |
| Father | Krasimir II |
| Religion | Vesnite (Terophatic Banner) |
Spytihnev V (High Secote: ⰔⰒⰟⰉⰕⰉⰃⰐⰡⰂⰟ Ⰴ, Spytignĕvǔ V; 15 Floridy 1780 – 26 Empery 1840), known as Spytihnev the Arbitrator (Rashimic: ⰔⰒⰟⰉⰕⰉⰃⰐⰡⰂⰟ ⰀⰞⰙⰒⰑⰞ, Spytignĕvŭ h-šōpŭš), was Terophatic Emperor of the Vesnites from 1816 until his death in 1840, and, through recognition of his title by the Azophine Debates, so-called Emperor of the North and the South from 1836 to 1840.
Spytihnev conducted a range of far-reaching administrative and financial reforms of the empire over the course of his reign, including the establishment of the first Monition Boards, the delineation of the modern system of imperial provinces, the standardisation of tax and tariff collection, and the introduction of measures to discipline errant Scholars and assure their selection on the basis of merit. He promoted the ideas of the early Radiance and the neocracy, sponsoring the pursuit of both the arts and the burgeoning field of externalist inquiry, thus continuing the policy initiated by his father Krasimir II.
In the arena of foreign policy, Spytihnev sought the expansion of the borders and influence of the Terophatic Empire, enlarging Terophatic Serania, while also making his mark as a capable political operator. At its height his network of friends and clients stretched across much of southern Vaestdom, including many of the gentry and influential Scholars in the north; his proverbial achievements allowed him to position himself as the main object of growing Cathedralist sentiment across Outer Joriscia. During the Azophine Cathedral Rising of 1836 following the death of Ostrobor V, this resulted in his being elected Emperor in the North, and his attempt to take advantage of this turn of events triggered the Great Peninsular War, fought primarily against Lacre. By 1840 his forces had occupied most of Azophin and Lacre and he himself had been installed as emperor at Great Pestul. His success, however, was short-lived, and was brought to an end by his sudden death in Empery that year. The succession dispute that then broke out would prove disastrous for the Terophatic war effort.
Though the failure of Spytihnev's overambitious foreign policy would have lasting negative consequences for the empire, his reign was nonetheless an era of competent governance, general prosperity, and, until its final years, of relative peace. It would be remembered fondly in the hard century that followed his death.
