Originally Posted by Encyclopedia Eorzea pg177
In 1517, he was granted control of Garlemald as dictator by overwhelming popular support. The same year, the republic attacked Dalmasca, a small country nestled in the central mountains, and rained down fire upon it with their new airships. Thus, the Garlean army turned to conquer the south of Ilsabard. In 1522, this campaign ended in victory. Having unified the continent through force for the first time in history, Galvus proclaimed himself Emperor, and thus created the Garlean Empire.