Ventotene: Difference between revisions

|image_skyline           = Town of Marettimo.jpg

|image_caption           = Ateleta, the Cathedral City of Ventotene, from above

|population_demonym      =  

The early history of the island is heavily disputed by mainstream historians and the Montagnardi people, who claim that their ancestors settled the island during the [[Latin Heroic Age]]. While it is true the island was likely first settled during that time, with archaeological evidence suggesting the first [[Latinic people|Latin]] settlers arriving in around 800 BC. Most historians agree that settlement has not been continuous. Montagnardi people claim that they have continuously inhabited the island since that time and were pushed inland by successive waves of colonists, creating the modern division between them and the Ateleti people, who dwell on the coasts. The island fell under the sway of [[Caphiria]] during the 9th century, and the Caphirians undertook a massive construction project whose ruins can still be found outside Ateleta today. Mainstream historians believe it to be some kind of palace for the [[Imperator|Imperators of Caphiria]], though many are skeptical that the Imperator would journey so far outside of the normal military perimeter of the Imperium. The structure, on the eastern side of the island, was almost certainly the impetus for the settlement of Ateleta around that time. This structure was abandoned in the 10th century and a massive fortification called Piona was constructed by the Caphirians on the western side of the island beginning in the 11th century, and the fortress there was continuously updated through the fall of the Second Imperium in 1172. The island was largely self governing during the dark period, with locals garrisoning the fortress and continuing their fishing-oriented way of life. It is during this period that Montagnardi oral traditions speak of a war between them and the Ateleti, as the Caphirians having abandoned the island opened the possibility of ejecting the Ateleti, and attempts by the Montagnardi to seize Piona during the 13th century are recorded, though it seems the conflict was less of an organized one and more like continuous raids against Piona by the Montagnardi. The island's population dwindled in the 13th and 14th centuries, but it was largely shielded from the worst effects of the [[Great Plague]]. [[Caphiria]] reestablished control of the island in 1484, though more than three centuries of independence had lead to significant cultural divergences. The fortress of Piona was once again occupied by the Caphirians and updated with gunpowder weapons in the coming century, and the land around Piona was also cleared for a major naval base to be constructed. The island, like much of the rest of western Caphiria, went into revolt in the years following the [[Great Schism of 1615]], but initial efforts by an alliance of the Montagnardi and Ateleti to take the fortress of Piona were unsuccessful. The island was eventually abandoned once again by the Caphirians and became part of [[Vachena]], which held the island for the next three centuries. Unlike the Caphirians, the Vachenans failed to keep the fortress of Piona up to date, and the structure was essentially abandoned by the 19th century. During the [[Second Great War]], the island was easily taken by the [[Royal Marine Corps (Urcea)|Royal Marine Corps]] of [[Urcea]], with a small Vachenan garrison based out of Ateleta not firing a shot. The island was ceded to Urcea in the [[Treaty of Kartika]] in [[1943]], and the [[Royal Navy (Urcea)|Royal Navy]] took control of the entire Piona complex, completely rebuilding most of the structures there and turning it into a major naval base. The island held significant strategic significance during the [[Occidental Cold War]], ensuring Urcean presence in the west of [[Sarpedon]]. Significant land reclamation projects began in 1950, allowing the construction of an airbase and airstrip capable of landing and launching jet aircraft. The island was divided by Urcea into two ''pievi'', one largely for the coastal Ateleti and one for the interior Montagnardi. A highway was constructed from Ateleta into the interior by Urcea in 1970, significantly decreasing tension and distance between the two ethnic groups.

Historically, most of the island's economy has been centered around fishing, with some economic benefit also derived from the presence of military garrisons. In recent years, the island has become well known as a tourist destination reachable by boat; civilian use of the airbase is restricted and rare, with medical emergencies being one of the few exceptions for use. The advent of major cruise lines in the 20th century greatly enhanced the island's economy, as it has become a regular stop for cruises of the Taínean Sea. The construction of the [[Royal Navy (Urcea)|Royal Navy]] base at Piona fundamentally changed the economy of the island, with the base or the base adjacent service representing a large plurality of economic activity on the island. Nearly all the goods on the island are imported with the exception of fish and cultural novelties, leading to generally high prices. Per agreement with [[Aciria]], Ventotene is considered part of the Acirian market, and there is no imposition of tariffs on goods traded between Ventotene and Aciria. Goods imported from [[Urcea]] have tariffs assessed on them. As a result, most of the vehicles in use by civilians on the island are from [[Sarpedon]].  

 

The majority of people living on Ventotene are associated with the [[Royal Navy (Urcea)|Royal Navy]] base at Piona. As they are not permanent residents, and indeed many reside on ships, they are not typically counted towards the population of the island. The island's permanent population of around 20,000 has remained largely the same since the early 20th century.

 

 

Languages on the island are divided largely by ethnicity. 52% of Ventotene people speak Ateleti primarily, 34% speak Montagnardi primarily, and the remaining 14% primarily speak [[Julian Ænglish]].

 

Ventotene has a diverse array of musical traditions. While the Ateleti people listen to and play music which blends the influences of [[Aciria]] and [[Music in Urcea|Urcean music]] and commercial offerings of both countries are regularly heard throughout the island, the Montagnardi people are known to shun pan-[[Occidental]] musical traditions in favor of their own native music. The two most prominent instruments among the Montagnardi are the sheepskin drum in a style almost certainly imported from [[Vallos]] as well as the conch shell, which the Montagnardi use both for musical and social purposes. Roving bands of Montagnardi conch shell troupes are a common sight in the highlands, as the relative ease of playing the instrument (at least among the Montagnardi) is viewed as a viable way to make a living. Conch shell players are typically viewed among the Ateleti as little more than {{wp|panhandlers}}, but among the Montagnardi these individuals hold respect. Unique among the Montagnardi is use of shell music as a kind of call to prayer, replacing the typical ringing of bells common among virtually all other [[Occidental]] [[Catholic Church|Catholics]].

The people of Ventotene, both Ateleti and Montagnardi, speak a regional variation of [[Aciria#Languages|Aciriano]]. Ateleti Aciriano is typical of a common regional variation of the language, whereas the Montagnardi dialect features a unique vocabulary including many anachronistic words from [[Caphiric Latin]] and even words similar to the [[Pelaxian Language|Pelaxian language]], hinting at a potential western [[Sarpedon]] point of origin for the Montagnardi. The Montagnardi Aciriano dialect is spoken with a heavy accent and is considered to be unintelligible by many speakers of Aciriano, both Ateleti and mainland.