The Empire of Corinthus (Nationbuilding Project) (TWI only)

[Roendavar]

THE EMPIRE OF CORINTHUS
i Alaathrania vi Corinthus

Map of The Western Isles in 0 CE. The Empire of Corinthus is colored purple.
Not final and will be subject to change. Not including vassals, tributary states, etc. Not including geographical or political divisions.

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Overview
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220 BCE. The great city-states of the Davari have united under a single crown. Ariethos, Vartas, Thespos, Lerios, and Entarinth. These were gone, replaced only by a promise, the Corinthusi shall bloom and spread. A massive navy sails the ocean blue, a green flag with a golden rose in its center waves in the wind. A young man stands at the bow of the lead ship, the Falnathos, a sword on his hands. Aragonus the Great, they call him. With the blessing of the gods of Protacism, a disciplined army, a navy capable of dominating the seas, and technology never before seen in the Western Isles, he shall conquer far and wide, and bring about the golden era of the Empire of Corinthus.

What shall be your part in this great conquest? Will you be overwhelmed by the passionate Corinthusi? Will you surrender in peace to the glorious Empire? Perhaps, you shall fight, only to lose in the end? Or... in a small chance, your people shall survive to see the days without the Corinthusi. Choose wisely, for the gods have the fair people at their behest, and they shall only stop when the world knows nothing but the way of the Corinthusi.

Brief History

The Ipachi-Roendavarian War (Roendavarian: War of the Flaming Lilies or Alciulas elea Frecelisa Alciurin) ended in 270 BCE with an overwhelming Davari victory. The Ipachis were defeated, exiled, and scattered throughout the Western Isles once more. The Thesara Alliance, an alliance between the city-states of Ariethos, Vartas, Thespos, Lerios, and Entarinth, would prove united in their glory, however, this would not last. The horrors of the war inflicted a great damage on the city-states. Vartas was bankrupt, its coffers dry and their land ravaged by the war. Thespos was ruined, its markets and halls burned down by the Ipachi. Lerios and Entarinth, despite escaping unscathed, did not fully inherit the glory of the war. Ariethos, alone, would prove as the ultimate victor, overflowing in wealth and in military might. His son, Aragonus, was only 2 years old at that time, rendering him incapable of ruling the city state of Ariethos.

In 232 BCE, Celion Theos Reliason of Ariethos died in his sleep. His eight year old son, Aragonus, was deemed too young to rule the throne of Ariethos. The other city-states formed a council amongst themselves and jointly ruled Ariethos until Aragonus would turn eighteen. When Aragonus turned 18 in 222 B.C.E., he was poised to take the crown and restore Ariethosi leadership in the Thesara Alliance. This, however, created tensions in the alliance itself. Ariethos commanded power greater than the four other city states of Vartas, Lerios, Thespos, and Entarinth combined. A plan was concocted by the Celionai of Thespos, Vartas, and Lerios to assassinate the young ruler during his ceremony.

No one was sure what happened at the night of the planned assassination. According to the Ariethosi, three men hid at the young ruler's bedchamber at the middle of the night. Yet, after an hour, three decapitated heads were thrown at the banquet table by none other than Aragonus prince, bloodied, carrying the head of the lead assassin. One had their tongue cut off, one without ears, and the remaining without eyes. Aragonus declared war on the other city-states and the War of the Flaming Lilies began in 222 BCE. The next week, under the cover of the night, the Ariethosi army captured Thespos.

News of the fall of Thespos spread quickly throughout the remaining city states. The city state of Vartas immediately formed its army, however, they lacked weaponry and armor due to its bankruptcy. Lerios was an agricutural city state. They couldn't field an army in time, let alone find willing people to fight for it. Lerios surrendered to Aragonus a month after the fall of Thespos. Entarinth, the smallest city state, immediately surrendered to Ariethos, although there was no need for the massive Ariethosi navy armed at its gate. When Vartas was asked to surrender in 221 B.C.E., he said "i mareai varasa Ariethosi iratha". The stones of Vartas thirst for Ariethosi blood. The Ariethosi army sacked the city state of Vartas and executed its rulers a month after they arrived at its gates.

The aftermath of the war threw into question the leadership of the city-states and the status of the Thesara Alliance. The Seventh Afaril was convened as Davari all around the Roendavarian lands gathered in Ariethos. With a majority decision, Aragonus was to be crowned Athelaai Aragonus the Great in Entarinth. He was proclaimed the Guardian of Athropolia and the Descendant of the Arveim, the gods of Protacism. The Empire of Corinthus was established, its name derived from the word for glory, corinthi. The Seventh Afaril's second decision regarded its security. Two times did the Ipachi come and wage war upon them, two times the lands and its people suffered. Therefore, the conclusion was that if Corinthus is to be secure, the outside world must bend to the Corinthusi hegemony. With the combined armies and navies of the former five city states, Aragonus decided to conquer the lands once explored by the Ariethosi decades before him.

OOC

This is a nationbuilding project. I decided to do this as a thread since it would involve a lot of nations (hopefully). Yeah, an empire, by the ancient Corinthusi people. Bet you didn't expect that coming from Roendavar, the pacifist tree hugging state, but the once peaceful Roendavarians were once a great people, sailing the high seas and conquering lands, spreading their culture and science throughout the Western Isles.

I aim to make the Empire of Corinthus a significant player in TWI history especially around the years between 220 BCE to 520 CE, not a long time but the empire would have made a considerable mark by that time. Of course, I would like nations who would participate and incorporate that history into theirs.

Let me know what your country's role in the conquest would be. You could surrender, fight and lose, fight and win (although I think I would only need one country for this), be a friend of the empire, be a rival, or whatever you have in mind. All possibilities are accepted.

[Athara Magarat]

Between 120 BC - 206 CE, the Magarat region was under control of the Yaxa Kingdom in the west and various Argean Ipachi tribes in the east.

A little too early for me to do anything than maybe some distant trade partner?

[Domanania]

Unfortuneately, this is a little early for me. This just before Domanania began to explore the seas, and there was no singular government as it was mostly several tribes and a few young kingdoms. Unless the Empire came to Doman shores, Domanania may not get involved in anyway.

[Roendavar]

Between 120 BC - 206 CE, the Magarat region was under control of the Yaxa Kingdom in the west and various Argean Ipachi tribes in the east.

A little too early for me to do anything than maybe some distant trade partner?

Want to get invaded?

Unfortuneately, this is a little early for me. This just before Domanania began to explore the seas, and there was no singular government as it was mostly several tribes and a few young kingdoms. Unless the Empire came to Doman shores, Domanania may not get involved in anyway.

Hm... perhaps we could come across your lands in the later parts of the Empire's time? A few decades before it collapsed probably.

[Athara Magarat]

Between 120 BC - 206 CE, the Magarat region was under control of the Yaxa Kingdom in the west and various Argean Ipachi tribes in the east.

A little too early for me to do anything than maybe some distant trade partner?

Want to get invaded?

I mean, yeah, we do see you guys as the Grandfather of the 'Civilized East'. Stuff like paper, architecture and weapons. Maybe much earlier Protacism influences in the Magarat region (I mean yeah, we discussed earlier than concepts like Varga were introduced in Khas-Kirati mythology after contact with Roendavar)?

https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1186884

Those Argean Ipachi tribes in western Magarat could be all yours (vassals or outright domains or colonies maybe). Your presence could be there to explain why the Yaxa Kingdom didn't expand west. As for the Yaxa Kingdom's relations with the Empire of Corinthus, I am thinking of peace through tributes. Rather than yearly, perhaps what Nepali kings of Licchavi or Malla dynasties did maybe? Once in their lifetime, they visited China with gifts (gold, exotic animals, artifacts or skilled artisans and so on).

Any chance your empire expands further in the time? At 5th Century, the Yhai (from New Totzka) Invasion (combined with disease and famine) is supposed to mark the end of the Yaxa Kingdom and the rise of nomadic Khas-Kirati tribes. Perhaps some Attila or Hannibal like hang who tries to conquer Corinthus-held "Argean Ipachi" western Magarat (maybe even further...) but ultimately fails (nonetheless inspiring future hangs to dream of uniting all the tribes and establishing their own empire)?

[Dragao do Mar]

Between 100 BCE and 200 CE my territory had several city-states and small kingdoms. If Corinthus had good sailors, maybe It could establish some kind of contact with coastal city-states.

(Between 200 CE and 700, the city-state of Jacaréoca expanded and became The Tabajara Empire)

[Union of Kalmar Republics]

My nation is very far away but we have always had alarge ship building and merchant culture so maybe in some weird way our merchants bring back some of your technology and culture but the average people still know barley anything about the empire like China was to the romans

[Roendavar]

Want to get invaded?

Those Argean Ipachi tribes in western Magarat could be all yours (vassals or outright domains or colonies maybe). Your presence could be there to explain why the Yaxa Kingdom didn't expand west. As for the Yaxa Kingdom's relations with the Empire of Corinthus, I am thinking of peace through tributes. Rather than yearly, perhaps what Nepali kings of Licchavi or Malla dynasties did maybe? Once in their lifetime, they visited China with gifts (gold, exotic animals, artifacts or skilled artisans and so on).

Any chance your empire expands further in the time? At 5th Century, the Yhai (from New Totzka) Invasion (combined with disease and famine) is supposed to mark the end of the Yaxa Kingdom and the rise of nomadic Khas-Kirati tribes. Perhaps some Attila or Hannibal like hang who tries to conquer Corinthus-held "Argean Ipachi" western Magarat (maybe even further...) but ultimately fails (nonetheless inspiring future hangs to dream of uniting all the tribes and establishing their own empire)?

West? Well, since that would be further away from Roendavar, we could have it so that once Aragonus arrived at the shores of the Yaxa Kingdom, you surrendered and gave us the lands to your west as tribute. We would also accept tributes and probably establish Protacism in thethe Yaxa Kingdom.

As for expansions, yes the empire would have expanded over time until it grew too large to manage. We could have a huge war and the Empire of Corinthus would win, but I was thinking that your "Attila or Hannibal" would deal the wound that would eventually weaken the Empire of Corinthus since we would pour a lot of resources into the war. However, you said 5th century, but I planned the Empire to go down in 200 A.D.. I'm sure we can make time adjustments.

Between 100 BCE and 200 CE my territory had several city-states and small kingdoms. If Corinthus had good sailors, maybe It could establish some kind of contact with coastal city-states.

(Between 200 CE and 700, the city-state of Jacaréoca expanded and became The Tabajara Empire)

If my plans to adjust the timeline and extend the lifespan of my empire further, we could reach the Tabajara Empire around 200-300 C.E. What would your Empire's reaction in case that happens?

My nation is very far away but we have always had alarge ship building and merchant culture so maybe in some weird way our merchants bring back some of your technology and culture but the average people still know barley anything about the empire like China was to the romans

We could have a few meetings and encounters but I don't think the Empire of Corinthus would expand that far.

[Dragao do Mar]

If my plans to adjust the timeline and extend the lifespan of my empire further, we could reach the Tabajara Empire around 200-300 C.E. What would your Empire's reaction in case that happens?

During this period Tabajara wasn't in its most powerful era, so It would be forced to support peace with the Corinthians. If your people agree in trading resources and spices, or exchanging technology, Tabajara could concede them a coastal trade post. That could happen If Corinthus don't adopt a aggressive attitude, sure

[Domanania]

Unfortuneately, this is a little early for me. This just before Domanania began to explore the seas, and there was no singular government as it was mostly several tribes and a few young kingdoms. Unless the Empire came to Doman shores, Domanania may not get involved in anyway.

Hm... perhaps we could come across your lands in the later parts of the Empire's time? A few decades before it collapsed probably.

It would be interesting. Domanania as a whole wouldn't start to really explore until about 450AD (390 at the earliest). There was the knowledge of things outside the 4P, the tribes and kingdoms just lacked the ships to travel such long distances.

The empire showing up during it's height (maybe just a handful of lost sailors stumbling across the island) may be what first gives the people of Tiwe the idea of this far away land with riches and power. But it wouldn't be until the 900's-1,000's (at the earliest), with the help of Magrati trade routes, and connections that any Doman sailors see the Mythical lands of Corinthus

[Athara Magarat]

West? Well, since that would be further away from Roendavar, we could have it so that once Aragonus arrived at the shores of the Yaxa Kingdom, you surrendered and gave us the lands to your west as tribute. We would also accept tributes and probably establish Protacism in thethe Yaxa Kingdom.

As for expansions, yes the empire would have expanded over time until it grew too large to manage. We could have a huge war and the Empire of Corinthus would win, but I was thinking that your "Attila or Hannibal" would deal the wound that would eventually weaken the Empire of Corinthus since we would pour a lot of resources into the war. However, you said 5th century, but I planned the Empire to go down in 200 A.D.. I'm sure we can make time adjustments.

Damn it...I meant to say Argean Ipachi tribal lands in eastern Magarat and Yaxa Kingdom in western Magarati coastline

Aka your dominion over the Argean Ipachi eastern Magarat as the reason why the Yaxa kept to the western coastline (and became vulnerable to invasions from third parties like the Yhai).

Time adjustments sound good. Other than the people who posted here and Menna Shuli or Noronica, most nation's history are empty-ish at your empire's time frame.

[Samudera]

A history collaboration thread? Count me in.

[Roendavar]

During this period Tabajara wasn't in its most powerful era, so It would be forced to support peace with the Corinthians. If your people agree in trading resources and spices, or exchanging technology, Tabajara could concede them a coastal trade post. That could happen If Corinthus don't adopt a aggressive attitude, sure

As long as you can give me land. When do you think the Tabajara could kick out the Corinthusi? Give me a date and I could probably work some things out.

It would be interesting. Domanania as a whole wouldn't start to really explore until about 450AD (390 at the earliest). There was the knowledge of things outside the 4P, the tribes and kingdoms just lacked the ships to travel such long distances.

The empire showing up during it's height (maybe just a handful of lost sailors stumbling across the island) may be what first gives the people of Tiwe the idea of this far away land with riches and power. But it wouldn't be until the 900's-1,000's (at the earliest), with the help of Magrati trade routes, and connections that any Doman sailors see the Mythical lands of Corinthus

We could stick to 390 CE. Any ideas where the Corinthusi explorers might land and how they would interact with your people?

Damn it...I meant to say Argean Ipachi tribal lands in eastern Magarat and Yaxa Kingdom in western Magarati coastline

Aka your dominion over the Argean Ipachi eastern Magarat as the reason why the Yaxa kept to the western coastline (and became vulnerable to invasions from third parties like the Yhai).

Time adjustments sound good. Other than the people who posted here and Menna Shuli or Noronica, most nation's history are empty-ish at your empire's time frame.

That's why I seized the opportunity hehe. Anyway, yes the Empire of Corinthus would have ruled over the eastern parts. As for our wars, do you have any ideas what that would be about? Also the timeframes and causes. We probably would have a lot to figure out between both our countries.

A history collaboration thread? Count me in.

If I remember, the islands of present day Samudera would have been part of the Empire of Corinthus after the fall of the Passareebu Empire. How will you be free of the empire? I imagine it would be through revolt but you can give some ideas. Also, give me dates of when those might happen.

[Union of Kalmar Republics]

My idea of how corinthus kalmar relations worked.

At the time my nation was split into multiple kingdoms but by 900 ad the whole island was under the rule of Tarnesia. This outcome was decided much earlier however as tarnesia had better technology and battle tactics that the rest of the island. This was because throughout the 200s tarnesian merchants trading with corninthus had been bring back technology and tactics they had never seen before leading them to advance faster than the rest of the island.

[Roendavar]

Okay I've managed to rouse myself into inspiration once more and continue this project.

The new time frame of the era of Corinthus would be around 220 BCE, when the First of the Petal Invasions were launched, until the 524 CE with the aftermath of the Wisteria Wars and the Wilting Silence.

First, the new background of the Empire of Corinthus. In 220 BCE, the last of the Davari City-States, Vartas, surrendered to Ariethos after the Battle of the Oak, ending the War of the Vines. Instead of maintaining their independence, Aragonus, the Celion (King) of Ariethos, dissolved the Thesara Alliance and incorporated the entire Roendavarian lands under the rule of Ariethos. The Seventh Afaril was convened in the once city-state of Entarinth and Aragonus was proclaimed Athelaai (Emperor) of the newly formed Empire of Corinthus, uniting the five Davari City-States and the seven people of the Roendavarian lands under one Crown. The Seventh Afaril also came to the conclusion that if Corinthus would want to ensure its security and dominance, it must conquer the Arcan, or the wider world beyond the Land of the Gods. Thus, with the united armies, navies, economies, technological advancement, etc. of Corinthus, they will launch a series of invasions called the Petal Invasions across various parts of the The Western Isles.

And so the Petal Invasions and the Dawn of Corinthus began. The First of the Petal Invasions (220 BCE - 217 BCE) would be the conquest of Southern Gael and Central Argus, the Second Petal Invasion (217 BCE - 212 BCE) would be the conquest of the rest of Gael, the Third Petal Invasion (211 BCE - 209 BCE) would be the conquest of Northern Argus and the Argean Sea, the Fourth Petal Invasion (204 BCE - 198 BCE) would see the conquest of Eterna, Kavju, and the Southern Seas, and the Fifth Petal Invasion (194 BCE - 188 BCE) would see the invasion of Raedlon and western TWI. While they were called invasions, it was a mix of warfare, conquest, espionage, making vassal states, and/or royal marriages.

Each conquered area would be called a Thronai and there would be seven Thronai overall: Athropolia (Roendavar), Formarinth (Eterna, Southern, and Kavju Seas), Loarien (Eastern Gael), Lorathunos (Western Gael), Vendriothos (Central Argus), Dragalfien (Northern Argus and the Argaean Sea), and Carnathien (Raedlon and other Western territories). Each Thronai would be administered by a ruler called... Thronai... and a council of 13, called the Theafaril.

The culture of the Corinthusi are close to how modern Roendavarians are. The Empire would be multicultural and would welcome any race or people that are willing to submit. They follow the ancient religion of Protacism and would most likely spread it everywhere. They were very progressive, compared to ancient cultures, and scholarly due to Ariethosi influence. Architecture wise, they are similar to ancient Greece with a heavy influence of Elvish. The Corinthusi would have been shrewd, forming trading routes throughout the Western Isles, and calculating, never engaging in needless conflict or would try to find a way to win wars without exerting too much effort due to the sheer size of the Empire. The Corinthusi were also a bit... grandstanding. They would commission massive monuments, libraries, workshops, universities, and all that. They would also facilitate the exchange of ideas and science in the Western Isles as much as they can.

The end of the Empire of Corinthus would soon begin with the catastrophic eruption of Mount Maciesti in 520 CE. The destructive eruption ruined the Corinthusi capital of Aragonoth and sparked widespread crop failure and famine throughout Corinthus. In an effort to control this, strict rationing was imposed and taxes were raised. These, coupled with the fragile peace Corinthus was already experiencing with rebellions and revolts, sparked the Daffodil Riots in Aragonoth in 521 CE. Iuneii Alecsandros Theros Iralethias overthrew his brother, the Athelaai Venis Orelios Creionon, and assumed control of Aragonoth and the empire of Corinthus. This would split the empire into numerous factions and alliances and would eventually spark the Wisteria Wars in 523 CE.In 524 CE, Athelaai Alecsandros Theors Iralethias would dismantle the Empire of Corinthus and evacuate the grand city of Aragonoth. All Corinthusi administrators throughout the Empire would leave suddenly and abandon the Thronai. This event would be known as the Wilting Silence, with all Thronai being left on their own suddenly.

So that's pretty much the start and the end. What happens between that is all up to us. I would be interested in doing collaborations with everyone, like nationbuilding, historical events, etc. Also, this thread isn't just for those who would submit to Corinthus. Some early civilizations could also fight and resist Corinthus. Some could be vassals or tributary states. It's all up to this collaboration.