Ventotene: Difference between revisions

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.