"The Archadian Empire" (帝国のテーマ, Teikoku no Tēma?, lit. Theme of the Empire), also known as "Theme of the Empire", is a theme from Final Fantasy XII that represents the eponymous antagonistic Archadian Empire, acting as its leitmotif. It was composed and arranged by Hitoshi Sakimoto and is arranged as several other tracks.
Game appearances[]
Final Fantasy XII[]
"The Archadian Empire" is considered as the theme of the Archadian Empire. Its arrangements are "Cooperation (Imperial Version)" (共存 (帝国バージョン), Kyōson (Teikoku Bājon)?), "Gathering Storm (Imperial Version)" (暗雲 (帝国バージョン), An'un (Teikoku Bājon)?), "Black of Night (Imperial Version)" (闇夜 (帝国バージョン), Yamiyo (Teikoku Bājon)?), "Discord (Imperial Version)" (動乱 (帝国バージョン), Dōran (Teikoku Bājon)?), and "Sorrow (Imperial Version)" (悲哀 (帝国バージョン), Hiai (Teikoku Bājon)?).
"The Archadian Empire" plays whenever the Judge Magisters make an appearance. It is also the location theme for the Imperial City of Archades and Draklor Laboratory. It plays during the first battle against Vayne as well. "The Archadian Empire" is track 11 of disc 2 on the Final Fantasy XII: Original Soundtrack.
"Cooperation (Imperial Version)" is a mild rendition of "The Archadian Empire" and plays when party meets Lamont. It is track 16 of disc 1 on the original soundtrack.
"Gathering Storm (Imperial Version)" plays during scenes involving the Archadian Empire. It is track 5 of disc 2 on the original soundtrack.
"Black of Night (Imperial Version)" plays during the conversation between Vayne Carudas Solidor and Dr. Cidolfus Demen Bunansa. It is track 19 of disc 2 on the original soundtrack.
"Discord (Imperial Version)" plays during boss battles against Judge Magisters and second form of Vayne. It is track 24 of disc 2 on the original soundtrack.
"Sorrow (Imperial Version)" plays during scenes involving major Archadian authorities. It is track 3 of disc 3 on the original soundtrack.
"Struggle for Freedom" is the game's final boss theme and elements of "The Archadian Empire" feature as a continuous riff throughout.
Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age has reorchestrated versions of "The Archadian Empire" and its arrangements. "The Archadian Empire (Zodiac Age Version)" is track 32 on the Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age Original Soundtrack.
"The Archadian Empire Military Band Arrangement" is an arrangement by Rikako Watanabe that appears as track 4 on the Exclusive Arrangements bonus CD on the limited edition of The Zodiac Age Original Soundtrack.
Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers[]
"Discord: Imperial (Zodiac Age Version)" from Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age plays during critical engagements on The Bozjan Southern Front field operation, most notably in the battles against red chocobos. It is track 36 on the Death Unto Dawn: Final Fantasy XIV Original Soundtrack.
Final Fantasy XV[]
"The Archadian Empire" is the fifth track of the Memories of FFXII album playable in the music player, bought from Verinas Mart - Ravatogh for 100 gil.
"The Archadian Empire" is also available as track 160 on the limited edition Blu-ray disc of the Final Fantasy XV: Original Soundtrack.
Dissidia Final Fantasy (2008)[]
"Theme of the Empire - Original (From FINAL FANTASY XII)" (「帝国のテーマ - original -」 from FINAL FANTASY XII, "Teikoku no Tēma - original -" from FINAL FANTASY XII)?) plays during the stages of Distant Glory – Redemption of the Warrior. It is track 19 of disc 2 on the Dissidia Final Fantasy Original Soundtrack.
Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy[]
"Theme of the Empire - Original (From FINAL FANTASY XII)" reappears.
"Discord" is a DLC track available on the Final Fantasy XII Music Pack.
Dissidia Final Fantasy NT[]
"Discord (Imperial Version) (Arrangement)" is an arrangement by Takeharu Ishimoto that appears as a battle music. Both the arrangement and the original version can be bought from the shop for 3,600 gil. "Discord (Imperial Version) (Arrangement)" is track 12 of disc 1 on the Dissidia Final Fantasy NT Original Soundtrack Vol. 2.
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy[]
"Theme of the Empire" appears as the Event Music Sequence for Final Fantasy XII. The theme appears on Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Compilation Album.
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call[]
"The Archadian Empire" returns as a Field Music Sequence.
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line[]
Mobius Final Fantasy[]
"The Archadian Empire" is arranged into the beginning of "Flash of Steel From FINAL FANTASY XII -MOBIUS FF Edit-". It plays during the cutscene movie of the Light of the Skies, a Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary collaboration event, where the Judge Magister walks with the Mandragoras. It is track 18 of disc 2 on the Mobius Final Fantasy Original Soundtrack 2.
Arrangement album appearances[]
Piano Collections: Final Fantasy XII[]
"The Archadian Empire" is one of the most memorable and iconic themes from FINAL FANTASY XII, so the arrangement stays close to the original song's form. In this piece, Sakimoto is telling the story of an advanced but troubled society - so I decided to retell that story, while adding my own colour and style to it.
Casery Ormond, Piano Collections: Final Fantasy XII
"The Archadian Empire" appears on this piano arrangement disc, where it was arranged and performed by Casey Ormond. It is track 8 on the disc.
Compilation album appearances[]
The Best of Final Fantasy XII Original Soundtrack[]
"The Archadian Empire" is track 3 on the album.
Selections from Final Fantasy XII Original Soundtrack[]
"The Archadian Empire" is track 14 on the album. "Black of Night (Imperial Version)" and "Discord (Imperial Version)" are tracks 15 and 16 respectively.
Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary Tracks 1987-2017[]
"The Archadian Empire (Zodiac Age Version)" is track 18 of disc 2 on the album celebrating Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary.