Xerxes Empire

A legendary ancient kingdom whose fall forged the darkest secrets of alchemy.

The Xerxes Empire is an ancient, long-fallen nation explicitly mentioned in the manga and 2009 anime of Fullmetal Alchemist. Though it no longer exists as a power in the series' present timeline, its legacy—particularly the advanced alchemy practiced by its people—plays a crucial role in the backstory of the homunculi and the creation of the Philosopher's Stone.

Lore & Background

The Xerxes Empire was a prosperous ancient kingdom renowned for its mastery of alchemy. Its downfall came when the homunculus later known as Father tricked the king into creating a country-wide transmutation circle. This ritual sacrificed the population of Xerxes, whose souls were absorbed between Father and Van Hohenheim. The ruins of Xerxes still exist in the present day, and the nation's tragic history is directly tied to the origins of the homunculi and the alchemical secrets that shape the world of Fullmetal Alchemist.