Ancient Istroyan civilization

Ancient Istroya was a civilization primarily based in eastern Sarpedon and its islands, though colonies existed abroad such as in Nova Istroya in Levantia.

The civilization was initially comprised of a loose collection of culturally and linguistically related city-states and other territories, primarily originating on islands in the Sea of Istroya before spreading to Istroyan-speaking populations on the eastern portion of Sarpedon mainland. During the first millennia BC, Ancient Istroya was considered to be the richest civilization in the world and developed advanced cultural achievements in mathematics, philosophy, and the arts. Istroyans would colonize many areas overseas from their initial home islands, including the southeastern shores of Levantia where their presence would make a lasting cultural influence. Several efforts were made by Istroyan rulers to unite the entire Istroyan world, efforts which met only limited success and increased violence and infighting among Istroyan polities. The Istroyan Golden Age is considered to have come to an end around 150 BC as the primary Istroyan polities on mainland Sarpedon were conquered by Caphiria while insular Istroya suffered increasing isolation and economic decline likely brought on by climate change. Istroyan civilization continued to be fruitful and exist under Caphirian rule, contributing greatly to its cultural development. Most historians believe Ancient Istroya came to its formal end during the advance of the Oduniyyad Caliphate in the seventh century AD, which came to rule over nearly all of the former Istroyan lands.

Classical Istroyan culture had a powerful influence on the development of the Adonerii civilization and Occidental world and also served as a primary conduit for the transmission of civilizational developments of Audonia into the Occident.

Ancient Istroyan Games
Ancient Istroyans held a multi-sport competition between city-states every four years, inspiring the modern Istroyan Games. Events included various foot races, wrestling, boxing, long jump and discus-throwing. For most of its history all events were contested in the nude.

Legacy
Elements of the Istroyan culture still exist today. Their practice in the nation of Burgundie is what sets that country's culture apart from the rest of Dericania, and has strongly influenced its language. Of the Romance languages Burgoignesc is the most strongly influenced by the ancient Istroyan language.