History of Caphiria: Difference between revisions
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* '''The Second Imperium''' (900 - 1172) - Augustus Rahla attempted to restore political stability by establishing the "Second Imperium," which was supposed to be a hybrid government that pleased both the ambitious younger generation who wanted a populist government and the elder aristocracy who tried to preserve the centuries-old institutions like the Senate. This government was plagued with issues from the start and quickly reignited more conflict, which led to lots of unrest and political splintering and culminated with the '''Great Civil War''', a brutal 45-year civil war lasting from 1127-1172 which saw the collapse of the Second Imperium | * '''The Second Imperium''' (900 - 1172) - Augustus Rahla attempted to restore political stability by establishing the "Second Imperium," which was supposed to be a hybrid government that pleased both the ambitious younger generation who wanted a populist government and the elder aristocracy who tried to preserve the centuries-old institutions like the Senate. This government was plagued with issues from the start and quickly reignited more conflict, which led to lots of unrest and political splintering and culminated with the '''Great Civil War''', a brutal 45-year civil war lasting from 1127-1172 which saw the collapse of the Second Imperium | ||
* '''The Dark Period''' (1172 - 1283) - Following the Great Civil War, barbarians began attacking the weakened empire; the Senate agreed to let most of its provinces become pseudo-independent states controlled by local warlords while it usurped control over Venceia and effectively reverted to being a Republican city-state. Eventually, Șerossaccir Odobricci, a Latino-Slavic warlord of Truřov (one of the established warlord states), began a successful military campaign of conquering his neighbors and reuniting the lost provinces of the empire. Șerossaccir would eventually march on Venceia and | * '''The Dark Period''' (1172 - 1283) - Following the Great Civil War, barbarians began attacking the weakened empire; the Senate agreed to let most of its provinces become pseudo-independent states controlled by local warlords while it usurped control over Venceia and effectively reverted to being a Republican city-state. Eventually, Șerossaccir Odobricci, a Latino-Slavic warlord of Truřov (one of the established warlord states), began a successful military campaign of conquering his neighbors and reuniting the lost provinces of the empire. Șerossaccir would eventually march on Venceia and destroy the republic, but rather than sacking the city, he stands outside of it and accepts, under the force of arms, the title of Imperator from the Senate, who also passes a bill that makes Șerossaccir the legal heir of the last recognized Imperator, thus establishing the Third Imperium in 1283 | ||
* '''The Third Imperium''' (1283 - 1782) - This period is marked by the state's reunification, the creation of the Constitution of Caphiria, and the establishment of dozens of Latino-Slavic dynasties and cultural/political institutions. At the same time, this period features the [[Great Schism of 1615]], where a break of communion between what are now the [[Levantine Catholic Church]] and the [[Imperial Church|Imperial Church of Caphiria]] occurred. The Great Schism lead to the dissolution of the Western Provinces and the independence of countries such as [[Cartadania]] in 1615, [[Pelaxia]] in 1618, and [[Aciria]] in 1625. The final blow to the Third Imperium was the [[Veltorine War of Independence]] in the late 18th century when Caphiria lost its eastern provinces. | * '''The Third Imperium''' (1283 - 1782) - This period is marked by the state's reunification, the creation of the Constitution of Caphiria, and the establishment of dozens of Latino-Slavic dynasties and cultural/political institutions. At the same time, this period features the [[Great Schism of 1615]], where a break of communion between what are now the [[Levantine Catholic Church]] and the [[Imperial Church|Imperial Church of Caphiria]] occurred. The Great Schism lead to the dissolution of the Western Provinces and the independence of countries such as [[Cartadania]] in 1615, [[Pelaxia]] in 1618, and [[Aciria]] in 1625. The final blow to the Third Imperium was the [[Veltorine War of Independence]] in the late 18th century when Caphiria lost its eastern provinces. | ||
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Lanintius sacked the city in 479 BC, with Juscargyrus committing suicide by poison to avoid capture. Caraspia was now without a ruler, and the people clamored for Lanintius to pick up the mantle. He then said, "if I am to rule over you, if I am to be your king, ensure that your king contains the mantle of the people." He selected a group of elders called ''senex'' (senate), who all unanimously selected him as their ruler. To further separate himself from past rulers, Lanintius claimed that as he had killed the evil from Caraspia, he must give rise to a new spirit - he renamed the city-state into Caphiria and founded the Kingdom of Caphiria in 480 BC. | Lanintius sacked the city in 479 BC, with Juscargyrus committing suicide by poison to avoid capture. Caraspia was now without a ruler, and the people clamored for Lanintius to pick up the mantle. He then said, "if I am to rule over you, if I am to be your king, ensure that your king contains the mantle of the people." He selected a group of elders called ''senex'' (senate), who all unanimously selected him as their ruler. To further separate himself from past rulers, Lanintius claimed that as he had killed the evil from Caraspia, he must give rise to a new spirit - he renamed the city-state into Caphiria and founded the Kingdom of Caphiria in 480 BC. | ||
=== Kingdom era (480- | === Kingdom era (480-369 BC) === | ||
Little is certain about the history of the Caphirian Kingdom, as nearly no written records from that time survive | Little is certain about the history of the Caphirian Kingdom, as nearly no written records from that time survive. The histories about it that were written during the Republic and Empire are largely based on legends. Accordingly, Lanintius ruled as King of Caphiria for 47 years. Under his rule, the kingdom | ||
==== Overthrow of Admoneptis ==== | ==== Overthrow of Admoneptis ==== | ||
=== Republic era ( | Admoneptis was the fifth and last of the legendary kings of Caphiria. Admoneptis succeeded his brother, king Sathrindus, who had died in a "mysterious" accident during chariot racing. It is speculated that Admoneptis sabotaged the chariot and assassinated his brother to usurp the throne, but during this obscure time, the Caphirian Kingdom experienced a decline. In particular, the power of the king himself was being threatened due to the emergence of extraordinarily powerful officials, who, while they accepted the authority of the monarch, in practice acted with supreme power and began to execute their political activities similar to those of the kings. | ||
Admoneptis' reign was lackluster from a military perspective. The king is recorded to have stayed "in the land" (i.e., not campaigned) for almost every year of his reign, save for only three years. In 393 BC, the year of his accession, he campaigned against the Kavarnitsans, and in 374–375, he campaigned against the city of Ispoli in Sokasti. It is probably from the conclusion of the 393 BC campaign that the Kavarnitsan treaty comes from. Almost all of the surviving portions of this treaty are made up of curses against the Kavarnitsans. It was customary for a Caphirian king to campaign every year, which means that Admoneptis staying in Caphiria could be a sign of domestic instability. Most kings also undertook building projects, but no construction work conducted under Admoneptis is known. | |||
After his wife Demina died in childbirth, Admoneptis' mental health declined, and he gained the reputation of being an obese glutton, using emetics to be able to indulge in banquets four times a day and often having himself invited over to a different noble's house for each one. As a result, the political situation of the kingdom declined rapidly, and many revolts sprang up throughout the realm. Initially, these revolts were small and relatively peaceful, but as the public grew angrier with Admoneptis, their efforts turned violent. In response, Admoneptis began to round up the protesters and mass execute them in public squares. | |||
This conflict culminated in 369 BC, when brothers Martyrius and Darius Lux led a successful coup d'etat in Venceia, toppling the kingdom. Admoneptis is said to have killed himself before the militia entered his palace. Martyrius and Darius Lux are considered the "Architects of the Republic" as they were influential in laying the foundation for the republican government that succeeded the kingdom. | |||
=== Republic era (369 BC-109 AD) === | |||
=== War of the Republic (109-136 AD) === | === War of the Republic (109-136 AD) === | ||
==== Transition from Republic to Empire ==== | ==== Transition from Republic to Empire ==== | ||
==The First Imperium (136-890)== | ==The First Imperium (136-890)== | ||
=== Principate era === | === Principate era === | ||
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During the 9th century, large tribes of Sarpic descent began migrating and living near the lake Duranis, located on Caphiria's southern border and neighboring present-day Volonia. These tribes were collectively referred to as the ''păgâni de la vora sud'', or pagans from the southern edge, as they were for long pagan when neighboring tribes were Christianized. The Imperium's military strength was primarily land-based, which meant it had a reduced navy at that time and relied on hiring ships as needed. As a result, the Sarpic tribes turned to raid and piracy and quickly became consolidated and organized without fear of significant retaliation. Coastal communities unable to fend off the pirate incursions were forced to come to an understanding with the pirates and thus became havens. One of the most prominent tribes was the Društvar, who was known for the creation of the "Društvari Code," a set of rules that governed their behavior and laid a loose groundwork for an honor system. | During the 9th century, large tribes of Sarpic descent began migrating and living near the lake Duranis, located on Caphiria's southern border and neighboring present-day Volonia. These tribes were collectively referred to as the ''păgâni de la vora sud'', or pagans from the southern edge, as they were for long pagan when neighboring tribes were Christianized. The Imperium's military strength was primarily land-based, which meant it had a reduced navy at that time and relied on hiring ships as needed. As a result, the Sarpic tribes turned to raid and piracy and quickly became consolidated and organized without fear of significant retaliation. Coastal communities unable to fend off the pirate incursions were forced to come to an understanding with the pirates and thus became havens. One of the most prominent tribes was the Društvar, who was known for the creation of the "Društvari Code," a set of rules that governed their behavior and laid a loose groundwork for an honor system. | ||
As a group whose central reason for being brought together was Christianity, the Društvar's explanation for piracy and warfare rested in their religion. These people felt they were fighting a holy war against the Christian enemy in defense of the boundaries of their native pagan religion. As a result, they established the Društvari Code to preserve their traditions and values. Honor is what they believed to be the essential quality a hero could have, which all Društvari strived to be. Other | As a group whose central reason for being brought together was Christianity, the Društvar's explanation for piracy and warfare rested in their religion. These people felt they were fighting a holy war against the Christian enemy in defense of the boundaries of their native pagan religion. As a result, they established the Društvari Code to preserve their traditions and values. Honor is what they believed to be the essential quality a hero could have, which all Društvari strived to be. Other crucial aspects of the Društvari heroic honor were loyalty to their village, army, and band; proper attention to every knight and obligation; readiness to lay down their lives or spill their blood in time of war; experience in warfare; ability to benefit their village; success and glory in duels with the Latins and other enemies of the Christian faith; and severity in punishing those who were disobedient or rebellious. It was also made known the Društvari qualities that would cancel out one's honor: reluctance to shed one's blood; failure to engage the enemy in battle; groundless boasting; avoidance of risks on the frontier; inability to take prisoners, trophies, or booty; meanness in rewards to comrades or spies; the absence of any general recognition of one's manliness; and the lack of battle scars or wounds. From these principles, it is clear that the Društvari admired the strength and arrogance of a hero and despised the weakness displayed by a coward. The importance of these principles was instilled in boys at a young age; taught to take part in competitions, they would test their strength and agility through racing, fighting, and throwing stones at one another until blood ran. This gave the Društvari a reputation as fearsome warriors who enjoyed war for the sake of war, something that terrified the aristocracy of the Imperium, who was growing more concerned that they would not be satisfied with raiding along the Duranis for long. | ||
In 810, it was reported that the number of ''păgâni de la vora sud'' was 6,500. By 875, the number had increased to 25,000. They had become fierce enemies of the Imperium, having attacked Latin merchants and clergy passing on the Duranis and even raided close to the mainland. By this time, the ''păgâni de la vora sud'' had become interested in expanding, attempting to control the Duranis and all of its trade. The Imperium would not let this stand, so fights for the possession of the Duranis began for a decade. To prevent people from harboring a pirate, it was made known that those who did harbor a pirate or any stolen good would be treated the same as the pirates. However, this led to massive exploitation as it became a frequent way for political (and personal) rivals to accuse their foes of protecting or enabling the pirates. This ''llistat de noms'' (listing of names) of supposed pirate chiefs included Latin nobles, wealthy merchants, senior members of the clergy, and even an Imperator's concubine. | In 810, it was reported that the number of ''păgâni de la vora sud'' was 6,500. By 875, the number had increased to 25,000. They had become fierce enemies of the Imperium, having attacked Latin merchants and clergy passing on the Duranis and even raided close to the mainland. By this time, the ''păgâni de la vora sud'' had become interested in expanding, attempting to control the Duranis and all of its trade. The Imperium would not let this stand, so fights for the possession of the Duranis began for a decade. To prevent people from harboring a pirate, it was made known that those who did harbor a pirate or any stolen good would be treated the same as the pirates. However, this led to massive exploitation as it became a frequent way for political (and personal) rivals to accuse their foes of protecting or enabling the pirates. This ''llistat de noms'' (listing of names) of supposed pirate chiefs included Latin nobles, wealthy merchants, senior members of the clergy, and even an Imperator's concubine. | ||