The History Of The Eldian Empire In Attack on Titan, Explained

Pavas Gagneja
Jul 29
3 min read

Eldia and Attack on Titan are closely linked, with the story of Eldia’s empire shaping everything that happens in the story. When we think about Attack on Titan, the history of Eldia is one of the most fascinating and tragic parts. It is a story full of power, war, betrayal, and the search for freedom.

To understand the modern struggles of the characters, you need to know where Eldia started and how it changed the entire world. From the very first episodes, you can feel the weight of history every time someone talks about the Eldians. Titans, the mysterious walls, and even the fear of outsiders all connect back to Eldia’s past. But what exactly happened? How did Eldia become the empire that both ruled and terrified the world for centuries?

ALSO READ: All Nine Titan Shifters In Attack on Titan Ranked By Power

The Birth Of The Eldian Empire

The story of Eldia begins about 2,000 years before the events of Attack on Titan, with a slave girl named Ymir Fritz. According to legend, Ymir gained the power of the Titans, making her the first Titan Shifter. The ruler of the Eldian tribe, King Fritz, used her new powers to fight against rival nations, especially Marley. With Ymir's help, the small Eldian tribe quickly grew into a powerful empire.

After thirteen years, Ymir died while protecting King Fritz, and her body was divided among her three daughters. This started the tradition of passing down the power of the Titans through generations. Eventually, the original Titan power split into nine distinct Titans, all held by Eldian noble families. With these weapons, Eldia conquered and ruled much of the continent, crushing any opposition. The Nine Titans allowed them to wipe out entire cultures, giving them a reputation for cruelty and strength.

The Age Of Domination And Internal Struggles

At its peak, the Eldian Empire controlled much of the world and spread fear with its unmatched Titan powers. The empire brought both awe and hate, using the Titans as weapons of mass destruction. The Eldians were told they were special — the Subjects of Ymir could transform into Titans, while other nations could not. This difference fueled wars and led to the suffering of millions.

But as time passed, the empire began to fall apart from within. Powerful Eldian families fought each other for control over the Nine Titans. The Fritz family, which held the Founding Titan, kept order as best as they could, but rivalries and greed made the empire unstable. Eldia’s enemies, especially Marley, waited for a chance to strike back. Eventually, the violence within Eldia weakened them, starting the Great Titan War — a massive civil conflict that shattered the empire.

The Great Titan War And The Fall Of Eldia

The Great Titan War finally broke Eldia’s power. King Karl Fritz, the 145th ruler, inherited both the throne and the Founding Titan, but he was deeply ashamed of the empire’s crimes. Teaming up with the Tybur family, holders of the War Hammer Titan, he secretly planned to end Eldia’s rule rather than continue the bloodshed. During the chaos of the war, Marley and their allies stole seven of the Nine Titans and pushed Eldia off the mainland.

King Fritz then took as many Eldians as he could to Paradis Island. With the Founding Titan’s power, he built the three giant walls on the island using Colossal Titans and erased the memories of his people, making them forget the outside world. Fritz hoped this would bring peace and end the violence. He also warned the world that if they ever attacked Paradis, he would unleash the Titans inside the walls and destroy everything — a threat known as the rumbling.

Final Verdict: How Eldia’s Legacy Shaped Attack on Titan

The history of the Eldian Empire is the root of the hatred between Eldia and Marley, and the reason why so many people suffer in Attack on Titan. Eldia’s rise to power brought fear to the entire world, but its fall created a cycle of pain that still affects everyone in the story. Both on Paradis and in Marley, people struggle with the choices and sins of their ancestors.

It shows how power can corrupt, how division can destroy even the greatest of empires, and how history can trap people in endless conflict.