Populares
The Populares are a collective within the Garlean Empire.
About
The Populares represents the interests of the common man. One of their known targets was to reform the imperial provincial policies[1].
Notable Members
Lore
The Populares have campaigned long for a change, and while Emperor Solus was not open to reforms, Varis zos Galvus agreed for reforms and sanctioned a mission to Doma[2]. He granted Asahi sas Brutus to be an emmissary and together with a collective he travelled to Doma to negotiate. There it is revealed that the Optimates are working against the Populares, and that they were responsible for the actions that would result in summoning Susano in the Ruby Sea[3]. Yet Varis' still follows Emperor Solus' goal to vanquish Eikons and offers a prisoner exchange as a sign of trust. This exchange need to include Asahi's stepsister Yotsuyu[4].
After the prisoner exchange fails, it is revealed that Asahi was not tasked by Emperor Varis, but by Zenos yae Galvus to initiate a summoning. With that, he wants to eradicate the Populares influence on the Garlean people[5]. The prisoner exchange is then fulfilled by Maxima, the second-in-command[6].
Etymology
In ancient Rome, Populares and Optimates were a common term for different political factions: The Populares were in favor of the people, the "populace", while the Optimates were in favor for the continued authority of the senate[7]
References
- ↑ Storm on the Horizon, when Asahi arrives in Doma: "I am of the Populares, a collective which represents the interests of the common man. Long have we labored to bring about reform to the Empire's provincial policy."
- ↑ Storm on the Horizon, when Asahi speaks in the Kienkan: "My comrades and I would change all that. We Populares have campaigned long and hard for a shift in imperial policy, and at last the Emperor has seen fit to lend us an ear."
- ↑ Storm on the Horizon, when Asahi speaks in the Kienkan: "A collection of pure-blooded Garleans who seek to consolidate their own supremacy: the Optimates. [...] theirs was the hand that loosed our forces on the Confederacy."
- ↑ Storm on the Horizon, when Asahi speaks in the Kienkan: "Naturally, any exchange would include the acting viceroy."
- ↑ The Primary Agreement, during the Echo: "The eikon is merely a message. The pacifist teachings of the Populares spread through this city like a plague, and I would remind the people of the threat we face."
- ↑ The Primary Agreement, when Maxima speaks to Hien: "Ah. Yes, as the late ambassador's second-in-command, it falls to me to speak on the Empire's behalf. And I am happy to confirm our intent to proceed according to the original agreement."
- ↑ Optimates and Populares, Wikipedia, 01.06.2026
