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Thread: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

  1. #361

    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    to you my 'proto-english' version of description of Venetia...ready for artists' rework ^^


    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 
    Traveler’s log:
    A traveler who goes across the great estuary of the Padus River will find the rich sea city of Hatria, which later gave name to the Adriatic sea. The city is situated in the middle of marshes and lagoons, where peoples that populate or frequent Venetia merge themselves: Greeks, Etruscans, Celts and Veneti. On proceeding in the north, into a labyrinth of salty swamps, artificial channels, salt mines and cultivated fields, he will find several sea vici, little settlements populated by fishermen and merchants. Then he will come to a little sanctuary and a harbor on the estuary of the Medoacus River, by which it is possible to reach in few hours of navigation the most important city of the region: Patavium (venetic Patava), the most powerful of Veneti’s settlements. Far beyond the city, on the west of the settlement, the traveler will reach the so-called Euganei hills, covered by woods, at whose feet is situated the oracular shrine of Aponus, in a location famous for thermal waters and, in the south, the ancient venetic city of Ateste, once prosperous but now less important than before. Further, on the west, among rivers, forests and hills, Veneti and Cenomani celts live into a mutual relationship in the fertile territory between Vicetia and Verona, Despite this does not mean that their relate into each other pacifically. Proceeding on the opposite side, leaving Medoacus on the back and going east, the traveler will come across the town of Altinus, on the northern border of the most extensive of Venetia’s lagoons. It is an ‘island-town’ based on pile-dwellings, an important multi-ethnical trade and cult center which links not only western and eastern Venetia, but also the Adriatic sea, and its trade routes, with the valley of the Plavis river that reaches the alpine pass, Retia and Noricum. On the eastern side of Plavis are situated few towns of Veneti (Optergium is the most relevant), while the territories beside the mountains of Carnia are inhabited by other celtic tribes. At the very eastern border of the region, there is another important venetic sanctuary, next to the mysterious karst spring of Timavus river’s estuary, sacred to an ancient hero called by Greeks ‘Diomede’.
    Geography:
    Venetia’s landscape is mainly flat. It is ploughed by several rivers which gives birth to salty marshes and lagoons marvelously healthy thank to the sea, that regularly flows into them (in this case artificial channels are also helpful). In the hinterland, plains and hills are covered with woods and water. There, herds of sheeps are reared for their wool, which is really appreciated by merchants. Nevertheless, Veneti are considered good farmers among Greeks and Romans thank to an excellent horses’ breeding. Because of its strategic position, linking the Mediterranean Sea (and Hellenistic world) with Alps (and consequently Germania) and Cisalpine Gaul (and so the Italic peninsula) with Pannonia and Illyria, several trade routes pass across the region.
    The people, society and government:
    Veneti are the most important people living in Venetia. Myths tell that they descend from Eneti of Paphlagonia, which after the fall of Troy followed the Trojan hero Antenor until Caput Adriae and, after they went up to the Meodacus River and drove away the Euganei, founded Patavium. This happened in the same years during which Antenor’s compatriot Aenea was starting the foundation of Rome.
    The truth is that Veneti constitute a population similar to other Italic ones like Romans and Picenes. Most ancient settlements are Patavium and Ateste, but, while the second one has been laying in a period of economic and cultural stagnation for a very long time, Patavium is constantly rising, day after day, proud of its traditional values, and wisely exploiting the ideological propaganda about its Trojan origins in order to reinforce relationships with Greeks and Romans. Veneti never formed a cohesive nation. They split in several independent settlements and towns but Patavium was able to impose its authority on other communities. The city of Antenor coordinates levies from all Venetia in the time of need, to the point that Strabon tells it was able to gather “120.000 men” (he testifies that the memory of its military power was still alive during Augustan era) [Strab. 5, 1, 7].
    An oligarchic assembly called teuta rules Venetic cities in a similar way to other italic communities, but, unlike them, Venetic cities do not own the typical traits of Mediterranean city-state. Venetian cities have no walls, they are surrounded by channels and rivers with a defense purpose, and their sanctuaries have no monumental buildings (on the contrary, sacred places consist of light wooden structures, fenced holy groves and healthy pools). The lack of monumental buildings, and the adoption of Celtic arms and costumes during the great migration of Gauls in Cisalpina, leaded Polybius to misconsider Gauls and Veneti. Their culture did not overlap at all, as he previously thought, as long as their languages [Polyb. 2, 17, 4-9].
    Ekupetaris are the most relevant, noble class of the Venetic society. The word means literally “lords of horses”. The etymology is representative for the essence of ekupetaris’ power, that is to say horse breeding and trade. Venetic horses were very good valued among Greeks, to the point that Dionisius the Old, tyrant of Syracuse, purchased many of them, in order to win panhellenic cart roads games [Strab 5, 1, 9]. From a military point of view, Ekupetaris are also the élite of Venetic cavalry.
    Veneti’s gods are represented by no idol. They are strictly connected with forces of nature and warrants of human activities. Reitia Pora is the goddess of written wisdom and the protectress of rites of passage. Aponus is god of healthy waters and wealth. Trumusiati is an obscure mountain god, in which sanctuary warriors’ offers from various tribes and populations are collected. Furthermore, Greeks are used to spread a story in which an oracle in the water is seen as the mythical three-headed monster Gerion [Plut. Caes. 47; Suet. Tiber. 14, 3]. A hero whose greek name is Diomede is also venerated by Veneti. His sanctuary, where Veneti regularly sacrifice a white beautiful mare, is situated in the middle of the woods next to Timavus River. There, both wild beasts and cattle were said to live in harmony [Strab. 5, 1, 9].
    History:
    Veneti have been in good trade relationships with people from both Italic peninsula and Aegean Sea since very long time. Between 5th and 4th century B.C. they were forced for the first time to face a great danger: the arrival of the Gauls. Many hordes of warriors from cold forests of Gallia literally overwhelmed Cisalpine peoples. North-Etruscans and Umbrians have been easily subdued by the Celts, who yet never managed to overcome the Veneti. In fact, these people from woods and lagoons took benefit from the knowledge of the insidious territory and from a more effective warfare against the fast Gallic marauders. It is not unlikely that, thank to the well-trained cavalry of ekupetaris, Veneti were able to stop the formidable Celtic horsemen (a purpose that slow Etruscan phalanxes could not afford). War rages between Gauls and Veneti had been lasted for at least two centuries. Sources say that a Venetic attack to Cisalpine Celtic tribes convinced Brenno, after the notorious sack of Rome, to leave the city and retreat in the north, in order to defend his people [Polyb. 2, 18, 1-3].
    In 302 B.C. a Spartan prince called Cleonymous sailed to Venetia and began to loot vici and harbors. His mercenaries, who previously went up to the Medoacos River, were taken by surprise by Venetic troops while they were disjointed to search for booty. In fact, once informed about the intruders, Patavians, whom the vicinity of the Gauls kept them always under arms, split their young warriors into two divisions of cavalry. One of these marched into the region where the scattered marauding was reported; the other one, taking a different road, to avoid falling in with any of the marauders, proceeded to the place where the ships were moored. Thus, the enemy were caught between two parties and were cut into pieces. While Veneti managed to captured some of Greek ships and burn them, Cleonymus sailed off with barely a fifth part of his ships intact. The beaks of the ships and the spoils of the Laconians were fastened up in the old temple of the city and in commemoration of the naval battle a contest of ships was held regularly [Liv. 10, 2-3].
    In 225 B.C. an arm of Gesatai, Transalpine Gallic mercenaries, joined Insubres and Boii in the war against Rome. In order to repel the invaders, Rome and Veneti drew up an alliance that would have faithfully endured until roman annexation of Venetia [Polyb. 2, 23, 1-3; 2, 24, 7-8]. From this event, the two peoples made a deal (foedus) of mutual military assistance. Many times Veneti muster their troops to obstacle Gauls attacking Rome. Patavians auxiliares fight at the side of the Romans, both at Canne and Nola [Sil. It. 8, 602-604; 12, 212-225; 232-244; 251-260]. Funditores from the Venetian town of Opitergium fought with G. Pompeus Strabo during the siege of Asculum, stronghold of the rebels socii, in 90 B.C. Once again, Opitergians fought with caesarians during civil war [Liv. Perioch. 110, 4-5]. On the other hand, Rome helped Patavium with internal turmoil and sent troops to throw out Celtic tribes migrated from Pannonia into eastern Venetia [Liv., 41, 27, 3-4; Liv. 39, 45, 6-7; 39, 54; 39, 55, 1-6]. Friendship between Romans and Veneti finally flew into a pacific annexation and into an exemplary case of self-romanisation regarding costumes and life style. Livius, who also came from Patavium and lived about a century after the political annexation of the region, is rightly rated as one of the greatest roman historiographers.

    Strategy:
    The Angulus Venetorum is an unavoidable beachhead to enter Italic peninsula from both eastern and northern borders. A fact that the Romans were about to discover during the last decades of their empire. To keep Venetia under control means to own the gates of Italy.
    Last edited by DurinElminpietra; 06-04-2015 at 23:35.

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  2. #362
    COYATOYPIKC Senior Member Flatout Minigame Champion Arjos's Avatar
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    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    Molto interessante ed ottimo lavoro Durin ^^

    Cmq quando vuoi, se hai tempo ovviamente, il concept per l'unità di cavalleria secondo me ne vale veramente la pena!
    Last edited by Arjos; 06-04-2015 at 21:14.

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  3. #363

    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    Grazie mille, spero si riesca ad inserire la versione definitiva entro la patch estiva =D
    Provvederò a raccogliere un repertorio di immagini sostanzioso da mostrare agli sviluppatori, d'altro canto diversi modelli come elmi La Tène, scudi a spina centrale e bordo rilevato, spade e lance medio La Tène sono già state utilizzate (non so come funzioni ma immagino che riutilizzarle richieda meno tempo che crearne ex novo). Secondo me sarebbe interessante come unità mercenaria reclutabile tra Venetia, Raition e Pannonia Illirika (tutte aree con una certa influenza venetica)

    (sorry for the Italian xD)

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  4. #364
    Minister of Useless Tidbits Member joshmahurin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    Edited and added :)


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  5. #365
    COYATOYPIKC Senior Member Flatout Minigame Champion Arjos's Avatar
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    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    Anatolia finished ^^

    Here is Paphlagonia:

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 
    <name>Province: Paphlagonia</name>
    <full>
    <h>Traveller's Log</h>
    <p>
    Entering Paphlagonia from Amastris, the traveller encounters a long stretch of coast with a harbour called Krobialos. It is particularly noteworthy, because its promontory, Karambis, stands exactly opposite Chersonesos' promontory Kriou Metopon, diving the Euxeinos Sea in two halves. Sailors claim that on a good day it is possible to see both promontories when out at sea. Krobialos is part of the Sinopean sea-trade network, which is protected by the surrounding mountains in the hinterland. This mountainous region experiences frequently earthquakes, but these also allow opportunistic mining of copper and arsenic. Therefore the valleys are inhabited by seasonal workers and artisans under the protection of the local elite. It is by boarding a vessel that the traveller can then visit all the other harbours: Abonouteichos, Kinolis and Harmene. The last one belongs to Sinope itself, whose inhabitants erected fortifications around it. These safe anchorages were established each at a day's sailing from the other, allowing refuge in adverse weather. Then comes a marvelous peninsula, upon whose neck Sinope lies. A Milesian colony built by an isthmus, famous for its fisheries, said to be even better than those of Byzantion. The site of Sinope was cleverly selected, because the shores are surrounded by a chain of rocks and cavities, while the landscape is covered with sharp-pointed stones. Thus the settlement is well defended, moreover inside the walls the land is higher and has a particularly good soil, bearing fruits. A most precious possession of the Sinopeis is a statue of Autolykos, Who joined Herakles against the Amazones and later also the Argonautai. The citizens regard this adventurer as a founder and honour him as a deity. Sinope is a major trading center, owing to its control of ore deposits and arable land in the hinterland, allowing seasonal exports of timber, copper, olive and realgar pigment. Farther South, beyond Mount Olgassys, flows the Amnias River. This is fairly good territory, called Blaene and Domanitis. Noticable are its temples and sancturaries cut into the rock, which are held by the Paphlagones. Beyond, however, live Galatai and communities allied to the Pontic Basileis.
    </p>
    <h>Geography</h>
    <p>
    The landscape of Paphlagonia comprises narrow linear valleys, alternated with sedimentary basins. This is the result of tectonic processes causing fault lines, which form sheer cliffs. Nevertheless the Amnias River cuts this province in half, establishing a pathway between Mount Olgassys and the mountain ranges by the Euxeinos Sea. This division coincides with different climates: the northern area hosts deciduous forests with beech and fir trees, together with rhododendrons at higher elevations. Here the rains moderate the winters, granting a milder climate, albeit moister. While moving southwards it is possible to encounter oaks and pines in greater numbers, until Mount Olgassys, which marks an area of arid continental climate joining the warmer steppes of the Anatolian Plateau. Overall the province is rich in wildlife like red deers and roe deers, along with lammergeiers, griffon vultures and booted eagles. While the most common predator is the gray wolf.
    </p>
    <h>The People, Society and Government</h>
    <p>
    The Paphlagones came in contact with the Hellenic world very early around the 7th century BCE, possibly even prior to that during the late Mycenaean period. One of the first descriptions of them, corroborated by archaeology, seem to depict a society characterised by various elites in competition. The social phenomenon encompassing military conflicts, but also feasting, burial practices and trading agreements. Specifically with the Hellenes, due to a false etymology of Paphlagon from the Hellenic verb Paphlazein, meaning "to stutter, bluster, stammer", the Paphlagones came to embody the typical stereotype of the barbarian being unscrupolous, violent and prone to anger. However this people was preserving customs, or at least ideologies, which stretched back to the Bronze Age connected to the people of Pala. Indeed Nergal, a deity of the Underworld borrowed from Sumer in the Hittite Pantheon, was still depicted in the Hellenistic period, being honoured as a patron of miners and smiths. Also Sinope was recently identified, by excavations, as a continuously occupied site from the late Bronze Age, at that time known as Shinuwa. It would seem that the settlement of Hellenic traders was achieved thorugh negotiations with a local Paphlagonian leader. Actual urbanisation occurred only at the end of the 6th century BCE, when these trading settlers adopted local building techniques in what by that time were mixed communities. Similarly during Persian suzerainty, Sinope came to be incorporated into the imperial administration only in the 4th century BCE, when Datama of Katpatuka, himself half Paphlagonian, conducting satrapal military operations against Sinope, negotiated a military alliance. Remarkably these events coincide with agricultural and settlement densities expansion, meaning that both partners of the treaty benefited, possibly even more so Sinope, as it came to control a territory it had never held before. This cultural encounter brought the subtle syncretism of local motifs with Hakhamanishiya imagery, particularly apparent in rock-cut tombs featuring bulls and lions, the forms taken up by Nergal. Moreover this deity was interpreted by the Hellenes as Herakles, which allowed even further inclusion and the establishment of shared practices. The cultural exchange operated in both directions, for even the Paphlagones looked back at Hellenic epics to enhance their status and the Homeric Pylaimenes, which meant "gatekeeper", became the official title for the ruler of Paphlagonia. Interesting to note, however, is that Nergal himself was the keeper of the gates to the Underworld, so there might be a connection. Overall the Paphlagones were known as great horsebreeders and riders, who were readily hired by neighbouring larger polities.
    </p>
    <h>History</h>
    <p>
    It could be said that Paphlagonia entered the Hellenistic period around 314 BCE, when the nephew of Antigonos Monophthalmos, Polemaios, was sent with a large force to establish Makedonian rule there for the first time. However it did not last long, because the establishment of the Pontic Dynasteia allowed the Paphlagones to assert their independence. Nevertheless their rulers did not lose track of the events unfolding, especially the Tyrannos of Sinope, Skydrothemis, who realised how Pontic alliances were isolating him and opted to establish good relations with Ptolemaios I of Aigyptos. Trading and possible naval assistance from Sinope were important for Ptolemaic operations in the Aigaion Sea and the alliance was upheld even by Ptolemaios II Philadelphos. This delivered Sinope from Ariobarzanes and his troops in 275 BCE, because as they were besieging the polis, the Ptolemaic fleet disembarked troops and managed to repel the attackers. Sinope could then keep on expanding its trading network in the Euxeinos Sea, while at the same time intensifying agricultural production. However such a strong commercial position made Sinope the prime target for Pontos, whose Basileus Mithradates II opted to build the first Pontic fleet in order to win the polis. By 220 BCE everything was set for the concerted attack, which however was carried by Mithradates III, because his father had just died. Despite the naval assistance, the Pontic army still failed to capture Sinope, as the latter had sent an embassy to Rhodos and received troops with 10,000 jars of wine, 300 talents of prepared hair, 100 talents of bow-strings, 1,000 suits of armour, 3,000 gold pieces and four Katapeltai with their professional artillerymen. Success was achieved only in 183 BCE, when Pharnakes I exploited the confusion in the Hellespontos during a conflict between Pergamon and Bithynia. Since the Rhodian fleet was occupied there, it could not come to help Sinope, itself not expecting an attack as Pharnakes I feigned to participate in the campaign against Pergamon. Instead he suddenly stormed Sinope as other war came to a conclusion. Unfortunately for the Pontic Basileus his clever plan alarmed Eumenes II Soter of Pergamon, who simply continued the conflict, which Pharnakes I had joined only nominally. This forced the Pontic army to fight alone, but at the same time Pontic envoys were hard at work in Roma and managed to secure favourable peace terms, Indeed the SPQR wanted neither side to prevail over the other and was glad to accept even Pharnakes I as an Amicvs of the Roman people in 179 BCE.
    </p>
    <p>
    Now Sinope became the royal Pontic capital and started to enjoy the time of its greatest splendour: men of science, artists and philosophers were invited there, while the poleis of Chersonesos and Odessos looked at the Pontic Basileia as a protector and trading partner. Around this time possibly appeared in Sinope the sphere of Billaros, today known as the Antikythera Mechaninsm. Now Pharnakes I focused on setting up an infrastructure worthy of an empire and establishing his Dynasteia as a major power. He married the Seleukid princess Nysa, allying himself with Demetrios I Soter. Then he made a voluntary donation to Delos, honouring the existing friendly relations with Athenai and his family. Around 155 BCE Pharnakes I was succeeded by his brother Mithradates IV Philopator Philadelphos, who opted for a philo-Roman policy, sending dedications and benefactions to the people of Roma. He also sided with Attalos II of Pergamon and Ariarathes V of Kappadokia against Prousias II of Bithynia. While regarding internal affairs, Mithradates IV decided to marry his own sister Laodike, making her co-ruler. This move aimed at curbing the goodwill of their new Hellenic subjects, associating themselves with Zeus and Hera, while at the same time appealing to Zoroastrian subjects due to their sacred union, known as Khwedodah. Mithradates IV also started to draw attention to his mythic forefather Perseus, a Hellenic hero, displaying how the rulers of Pontos had an excellent Hellenistic pedigree, worthy of the royal diadem. Still the couple ruled only to 151 BCE, when Pharnakes I's son Mithradates V Euergetes became Basileus. For the time being he continued to be loyal towards the SPQR, sending ships and troops in 149 BCE against Qarthadast. Later on the death of Attalos III of Pergamon in 133 BCE, Mithradates V also fought against the pretender Aristonikos and for that was rewarded Phrygia. Even the Basileus of Kappadokia fought in this campaign, but died and was succeeded by the still minor Ariarathes III. His mother Nysa, a daughter of Pharnakes I, had poisoned her elder five sons to ensure a longer regency, but the Kappadokes had her killed. Thus in 130 BCE, to avoid losing control over Kappadokia, Mithradates V attacked and quickly bested the Kappadokian army, making certain to remove any strong figure. After that he married off his own daughter, Laodike, to young Ariarathes III. This policy aimed at keeping the SPQR satisfied, afterall both rulers Pontos and Kappadokia were Roman Amici, but at the same time maintaining Pontic hegemony. Indeed Mithradates V Euergetes now started to act as an important Basileus, with great ambitions, being the first Pontic ruler to launch recruiting expeditions in Hellas, Thraike and Krete. Alongside these activities, Mithradates V carried on the Philhellenic policy of benefactions, which likely earned him his epithet, showing particular devotion to Apollon Delios. The Pontic Basileus had definitely set the stage to achieve greatness, but much like Philippos II of Makedonia was assassinated in 120 BCE and left all his preparations to an ambitious thirteen years old son, who became convinced to be the next Alexandros Megas.
    </p>
    <p>
    Indeed portents accompanied the birth and youth of Mithradates VI. First for seventy days during the year of his birth a comet appeared and filled a quarter of the whole sky, almost outshining the sun. Thought to symbolise the length of his life, the extent of his conquests and his eclipse of Roman power. Also when still a baby, Mithradates VI was struck by a lightning, which earned him the epithet Dionysos, because the deity's mother Semele had been struck too when pregnant. This very experience also corroborated in Mithradates VI Dionysos' mind his connection to Alexandros Megas, because even the latter's mother Olympia dreamt that her womb had been struck by a lightning. Moreover the same comet of his birth showed up again when his father was killed in 120 BCE, as if to herald the beginning of the new reign. Nevertheless Mithradates VI Dionysos Eupator's beginnings were not easy, his mother Laodike became regent, and many suspected her involvement in her husband's assassination with Roman collaboration. Even more alarming was that, during her regency, Laodike set also her younger son Mithradates Chrestos as future co-ruler. Whether she planned to kill Mithradates VI is unclear, even though after a poisoning attempt he started to assume doses of arsenic to build immunity, but what certainly happened was that the Roman Senatvs now decided to revoke Phrygia from the Pontic Dynasteia. Already Euergetes' officials feared for the future of Pontos, envisioning a gradual bequeathal in favour of Roma, and opted to stay away from Sinope. However in 116 BCE the sixteen years old Mithradates VI Dionysos Eupator had returned from his training with firm resolution. He had shown great horsemanship and hunting skills, being able to cope with a particularly dangerous horse, something which fostered even further his comparison of himself with Alexandros Megas. Mithradates VI had been joined by other noble young men, who became his companions, led by Dorylaos, who used to serve Mithradates V Euergetes, and during his march to Sinope he gather armed bands with the intent to avenge his father. The coup was bloodless and did not meet resistance, but both Laodike and Mithradates Chrestos were imprisoned and soon found dead. Now sole ruler of Pontos, Mithradates VI gave his dead relatives a royal funeral, but also started to prepare a campaign beyond Thraike. Also news reached that Ariarathes III, now an adult, could not be controlled anymore and, as his first act in foreign affairs, Mithradates VI ordered his assassination by an associate of his Dynasteia called Gordios. Later in 115 BCE the citizens of Chersonesos called upon Mithradates VI, because the Skulata under Skiluros had just sacked their polis. Perhaps they expected some sort of military assistance, which would not resolve in any particular political change, but that was not to be the case. Diophantos, the Strategos sent by Mithradates VI, quickly defeated Skiluros' son and successor, Palakos, making Pontos the first Hellenistic and Persian polity to defeat and subdue Skythian nomads. Now Mithradates VI claimed to have avenged Kyros and bested Dareios, Philippos II of Makedonia and Alexandros Megas' Strategos, Zopyrion. Diophantos did not lose momentum and subdued the Tauroi as well, founding the town of Eupatorion, to then move towards Pantikapaion. There he engaged in diplomatic talks with Pairisades V of the Kimmerios Bosporos to persuade him to cede his power to Mithradates VI. It is possible that the Bosporan ruler had no heirs and was fearing an increase in Skythian influence, so for the time being he gave Diophantos positive signs. In the mean time the Pontic Strategos returned to Chersonesos and received the nominal submission of Palakos. However soon as he left Palakos rose in revolt and Diophantos was once again dispatched with an army. Despite assistance from the Raukhsalantæ, Palakos was again defeated and this time Diophantos assaulted and captured the strongholds of the Skulata. Only remaining task was to finalize the arrangements with Pairisades V, who had been rearing the Skythian Saumakos, possibly the leading man of the party that was vying for power with the Bosporan Archon and Basileus. When Diophantos reached Pantikapaion he found Pairisades V killed by Saumakos and he managed to escape only thanks to the help of vessels and their crew from Chersonesos. With the coming of spring, after having received reinforcements, Diophantos put an end to the rebellion, sending Saumakos to Sinope as a captive, and at the same time almost doubling the Pontic territory. To celebrate Mithradates VI Dionysos Eupator married his own sister Laodike, like his great-uncle did, but had no intention in sharing power. Quite the opposite, the pragmatic and paranoid Mithradates VI had all his younger sisters secluded under guard for life: no one, but himself could decide the fate of the Pontic Dynasteia. The following years would experience even further expansion around the Euxeinos Sea, notably Pontic armies fought against the Sauromatæ, the Bastarnoz and the coastal communities of Kolchis. Nevertheless the Pontic Basileus still had the time to tend to his gardens of poisonous plants and his flocks of ducks, obviously fed on baneful herbs. Thought to have the ability to live on poisons, Mithradates VI mixed the bood of his ducks into his antidotes. Collaborating with the Pontic Basileus were his royal physician Papias, a group of shamans from north of Lake Maiotis and Krateuas, an experimenter from Pergamon, who can be safely considered the first ethnobotanist and father of botanical illustration. Krateuas wrote detailed pharmacology manuals and Mithradates VI, thanks to his knowledge of over twenty languages, collected scientific treaties from other lands, which he studied, while corresponding with scholars about poisons and antidotes. Having secured the Euxeinos as a personal possession, Mithradates VI Dionysos Eupator had obtained a great amount of annual tribute, with which he financed the construction of several fortifications throughout his domain, all having hidden cisterns, caches of weapons and a treasury: everything was set for his next move.
    </p>
    <p>
    In 109 BCE, as news reached about humiliating defeats suffered by Roman troops in Numidia and at the hands of the germanic Himbroz, Mithradates VI left Sinope, travelling incognito through Asia. His intent was to gather intelligence and visit the places, which witnessed the deeds of Alexandros Megas. During his journey the Pontic Basileus also had occasion to form an alliance with Nikomedes III of Bithynia, planning to jointly invade Paphlagonia west of Mount Olgassys and split it among the two rulers. When Mithradates VI returned to Sinope, where some thought him dead since he had left in secrecy and been gone for a year. Right away he was greeted with news of the birth of another son. However to Mithradates VI it was clear that he could not have been the father, but without losing his calm and rationality, he embraced his sister-wife. In time he was informed that Laodike had started to rule on her own and now planned to have him removed, ensuring her safety. However the Pontic Basileus moved first, or even if he had been poisoned his daily routine of antidotes proved effective, seizing Laodike and her child, who was spared, but the mother and all her conspirators were executed. Thus in 108 BCE Mithradates VI could leave his capital to annex the remainder of Paphlagonia. Everything went smoothly and all the Roman Senatvs could do was sending ambassadors demanding to return Paphlagonia to a pristine condition. These were ignored and Mithradates VI sent envoys to Roma with bribes, while once again another ruler of Kappadokia, Ariarathes IV, had become an adult. His mother Laodike, sister of Mithradates VI Dionysos Eupator, started to fear for her life, knowing that her usefulness had ceased. Thus she invited Nikomedes III of Bithynia to invade Kappadokia, which this Basileus did around 103 BCE. However Mithradates VI would have none of that, and he did not care about who specifically ruled Kappadokia, so long as it was someone he could trust. As a result the Pontic Basileus invaded Kappadokia and restored Ariarathes IV. Soon he found that Pontic interests would not be upheld and insisted on Gordios, his Kappadokian associate, to be taken at court. Understandably Ariarathes IV refused the murderer of his father, even though there is no reason to believe that Mithradates VI would have had him removed as well, had he complied with Pontic policies. Nevertheless in 100 BCE Ariarathes IV met on the battlefield his uncle Mithradates VI of Pontos. However the latter did not want to waste time and valuable soldiers, opting to parley instead. Having ostentatiously layed down his weapons, Mithradates VI waited for his nephew as Kappadokian guards patted down the Pontic Basileus. After as Ariarathes IV approached his uncle for a private conversation, Mithradates VI reached into his Iranian trousers, pulling out a blade concealed alongside his penis and cut Ariarathes IV's throat. Everyone was left dumbfounded, while Gordios started to hail the new Basileus of Kappadokia: the eight years old stepson of Mithradates VI by his dead sister-wife Laodike. As a result in 99 BCE the Roman Senatvs sent Gaivs Marivs to investigate the possibility or likelihood of an attack on the Provincia of Asia. However the SPQR still did not know about the matter of Kappadokian succession, but were alarmed by the series of conflicts taking place at their borders. During Marivs' meeting with Mithradates VI, he is said to have told the Pontic Basileus to be stronger than the Romani or obey their commands in silence. A suggestion that Mithradates VI definitely followed on both counts. Everything was spoiled, from a Pontic perspective, when Nikomedes III of Bithynia put forward in 96 BCE a false pretender as Basileus of Kappadokia. Sending his newer wife Laodike to Roma, in order to testify that the child was a legitimate son of Ariarathes III. Now that the whole matter had come to the Senatvs' attention, as even a Pontic embassy showed up claiming the legitimacy of their own little Ariarathes, a single order was issued: leave Kappadokia and Paphlagonia, which had been declared free. The instructions were followed, but needless to say animosity between Bithynia and Pontos grew to a new extreme. Now Roman officials changed attitude and invited the rulers of Kappadokia, Paphlagonia and Bithynia to attack Pontos. Most ignored this, without a direct Roman involvement, except for the heavily indebted Nikomedes IV of Bithynia, who initiated in 89 BCE a conflict. The Bithynian army was easily taken care of by the Amnias River, where the Pontic scythed chariots and Sauromatian horsemen proved particularly effective. However this set in motion a series of events that escalated in major wars between Pontos and the SPQR. During the course of which in 70 BCE Sinope was besieged and nearly destroyed by Lvcivs Licinivs Lvcvllvs, who stripped it of its riches and sent them to Roma. From then on Paphlagonia ceased to be a center of power, even though it kept on being an important trading port. Its coastal settlements were incorporated by Cnaevs Pompeivs Magnvs in 64 BCE to the Provincia of Bithynia et Pontvs. Notably in 47 BCE Caivs Ivlivs Caesar refounded Sinope as the Colonia Ivlia Caesarea Felix.
    </p>
    <h>Strategy</h>
    <p>
    Paphlagonia stands right in the middle of the southern coast of the Euxeinos Sea. Protected by rivers and mountains, it is the natural center of power for a polity aiming at controlling the maritime trading routes.
    </p>
    </full>


    I hope that the engine's codes are correct :P
    Last edited by Arjos; 06-14-2015 at 20:31.

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  6. #366
    ΤΑΞΙΑΡΧΟΣ Member kdrakak's Avatar
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    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    As usual, wonderful work Arjos! The last paragraph needs some editing, I think. There are a few points that need clarification. As does the first mention of Mithidates VI's anti-poison treatment in the previous paragraph.
    -Silentium... mandata captate; non vos turbatis; ordinem servate; bando sequute; memo demittat bandum et inimicos seque;
    Parati!
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    COYATOYPIKC Senior Member Flatout Minigame Champion Arjos's Avatar
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    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    Quote Originally Posted by kdrakak View Post
    As usual, wonderful work Arjos! The last paragraph needs some editing, I think. There are a few points that need clarification. As does the first mention of Mithidates VI's anti-poison treatment in the previous paragraph.
    Could you be a little more specific please?

  8. #368
    ΤΑΞΙΑΡΧΟΣ Member kdrakak's Avatar
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    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    Quote Originally Posted by Arjos View Post
    Could you be a little more specific please?
    Of course!

    "even though after a poisoning attempt he started to assume doses of arsenic"
    Arsenic is a poison. I think it should be stated that he did so hoping to build some sort of resistance or immunity.

    "suffered by Roman troops in Numidia and at the hands of the Himbroz"
    Who are the Himbroz? (Cimbrii?)

    "When Mithradates VI returned to Sinope, where some thought him dead"
    Why?

    "After as Ariarathes IV approached his uncle for a private conversation, Mithradates VI reached into his Iranian trousers, pulling out a blade concealed alongside his penis and cut Ariarathes IV's throat"
    Is this something I read in "The Last King"? or is this from a legitimate source?

    "would not be uphold"

    "a serie of events"
    -Silentium... mandata captate; non vos turbatis; ordinem servate; bando sequute; memo demittat bandum et inimicos seque;
    Parati!
    -Adiuta...
    -...DEUS!!!

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  9. #369
    COYATOYPIKC Senior Member Flatout Minigame Champion Arjos's Avatar
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    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    Quote Originally Posted by kdrakak View Post
    "even though after a poisoning attempt he started to assume doses of arsenic"
    Arsenic is a poison. I think it should be stated that he did so hoping to build some sort of resistance or immunity.
    Ok, thanks ^^

    "suffered by Roman troops in Numidia and at the hands of the Himbroz"
    Who are the Himbroz? (Cimbrii?)
    Cimbri indeed, that transcription will be used in-game too, so I think it is clear enough. Maybe I can add germanic to specify...

    "When Mithradates VI returned to Sinope, where some thought him dead"
    Why?
    Because he left in secret and wandered for a year, will try to make it clearer...

    "After as Ariarathes IV approached his uncle for a private conversation, Mithradates VI reached into his Iranian trousers, pulling out a blade concealed alongside his penis and cut Ariarathes IV's throat"
    Is this something I read in "The Last King"? or is this from a legitimate source?
    It is actually taken from Justin's empitome of Pompeius Trogus ;)

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 
    Mithridates, after bringing into the field eighty thousand foot, ten thousand horse, and six hundred chariots armed with scythes, (while Ariarathes, by the aid of the neighbouring princes, had no less a force), fearing the uncertain event of a battle, turned his thoughts to treachery, and, inviting the young prince to a conference, and having, at the same time, a weapon concealed in his lower garments, he said to the searcher, who was sent by Ariarathes, after the manner of princes on such occasions, to examine his person, and who was feeling very carefully about his groin, that “he had better take care, lest he should find another sort of weapon than he was seeking.” Having thus covered his treachery with a joke, he killed his nephew, (after drawing him aside from his friends as if to confer with him secretly), in the sight of both armies, and bestowed the kingdom of Cappadocia on his own son, a child eight years old, giving him the name of Ariarathes, and appointing Gordius his guardian.


    "would not be uphold"

    "a serie of events"
    Thanks for spotting them :)
    Last edited by Arjos; 06-14-2015 at 20:31.

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  10. #370
    ΤΑΞΙΑΡΧΟΣ Member kdrakak's Avatar
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    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    Thanx for writing the whole thing. What are you working on next?
    -Silentium... mandata captate; non vos turbatis; ordinem servate; bando sequute; memo demittat bandum et inimicos seque;
    Parati!
    -Adiuta...
    -...DEUS!!!

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  11. #371
    COYATOYPIKC Senior Member Flatout Minigame Champion Arjos's Avatar
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    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    For the moment German Literature for an exam :P

    Still I managed to write biographies for starting generals of the Eleutheroi, as for the next province I'd like "Saka Yabgu", but have to come up with a new name for it (or find evidence that as a name it is acceptable, because from what I know it means "Saka Prince/Chieftain" and doesn't seem appropriate at all)...
    Last edited by Arjos; 06-15-2015 at 07:42.

  12. #372

    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    Yes, Yabgu is a title and does not seem appropriate. We should discuss some other possible names.


  13. #373
    COYATOYPIKC Senior Member Flatout Minigame Champion Arjos's Avatar
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    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    Quote Originally Posted by Mithridates VI Eupator View Post
    Yes, Yabgu is a title and does not seem appropriate. We should discuss some other possible names.
    In Khotanese there is Kshaharae meaning land/country. Tricky is also going to be choosing, who was living there in 272 BCE. Archaeologically the Bolsherechenskaya culture might be too far North...
    Generally west of the Balkash it is assigned to "Saka tribes", why not giving it as a starting province then?
    Last edited by Arjos; 07-05-2015 at 19:26.

  14. #374

    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    Hey, I'll take a look at doing the province description for Armorikos over the next week or two. Seems like it might be interesting.

    I'm going to do a little bit of shameless self promotion here: check out my Sweboz AAR for EB2 (alas discontinued)
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  15. #375
    COYATOYPIKC Senior Member Flatout Minigame Champion Arjos's Avatar
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    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    Quote Originally Posted by The Gypsy View Post
    Hey, I'll take a look at doing the province description for Armorikos over the next week or two. Seems like it might be interesting.
    I think it's already done, unless you mean reviewing its grammar...
    Last edited by Arjos; 06-21-2015 at 12:19.

  16. #376

    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    Quote Originally Posted by Arjos View Post
    I think it's already done, unless you mean reviewing its grammar...
    Oh really? I've been going off what is on the front page of the thread. There it says that no progress has been made on it. So is the front page correct or is it best to ask someone?

    I'm going to do a little bit of shameless self promotion here: check out my Sweboz AAR for EB2 (alas discontinued)
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  17. #377
    COYATOYPIKC Senior Member Flatout Minigame Champion Arjos's Avatar
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    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    The front page was an old copy from the internal forum and it isn't up-to-date. Chap made a map, which is keeping track of changes and formats :)

    Quote Originally Posted by Chap View Post

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  18. #378

    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    In that case I'll make a start on Ikoranda Piktonis instead :)

    I'm going to do a little bit of shameless self promotion here: check out my Sweboz AAR for EB2 (alas discontinued)
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  19. #379
    COYATOYPIKC Senior Member Flatout Minigame Champion Arjos's Avatar
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    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    Should you ever need info on good sources or assistance of any kind, feel free to contact @Brennus :)

  20. #380

    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    Quote Originally Posted by Arjos View Post
    The front page was an old copy from the internal forum and it isn't up-to-date. Chap made a map, which is keeping track of changes and formats :)
    Is there any updated map? Could anybody create one?

  21. #381
    Uergobretos Senior Member Brennus's Avatar
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    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    Quote Originally Posted by Arjos View Post
    Should you ever need info on good sources or assistance of any kind, feel free to contact @Brennus :)
    I suggest looking for the Bilan Scientifique Regional for that region of France, several of the recent editions are free from the French government, and contain lots of recent archaeological data.



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  22. #382

    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    I can do Dalmatia :)

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  23. #383

    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    I thought I'd post a small 'preview' of sorts of my work on the description for the Odrysai province, both to show I've made some progress over the past few months (though not as much as I'd hoped, I'm afraid) and to get some feedback on whether I can continue writing in the way I have thus far. One thing I'm wondering about in particular is whether is should try to shorten things up a bit, as I'm getting the impression that a lot of what I've added consists of unnecessary detail.

    Rest assured that I've made more progress than what follows below, but I figured this would do well as an example. Warning: I haven't really proofread this yet.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    History

    Although the Thraikes appear in the Homeric epics as allies of the Trojans, Thrace and its inhabitants do not fully emerge in the historical record until the end of the 6th century BCE, when the Persians began their conquest of the northern Aegean coast. This process was set in motion by the Skythian expedition Dareios led sometime between 514 and 512 BCE, prior to which a nominal submission was likely received from the Thracian Chersonese and Byzantion to facilitate a safe passage of the Persian forces. On their march to the river Istros (Danube) the Persians also subjugated several Thracian tribes they encountered on their way, which included the Skyrmiadai and Nipsaioi occupying the hinterlands of Apollonia and Mesambria. Most of the local tribes seem to have submitted peacefully, with the notable exception of the Getai. Yet their resistance was swiftly broken and after their defeat they were made to follow the Persian army by force.

    After returning from the unsuccessful Skythian campaign, Dareios crossed the Hellespont back into Anatolia. Before doing so he appointed Megabazos general of the Persian armies in Europe, with instructions to establish Persian control over ‘every single polis and tribe in Thrace’. It seems the more realistic objective was to establish Persian control over the coastal lands between the Hebros and Strymon rivers as well as the Hellene cities located in said region. After a revolt in the Hellespontine region was crushed, this was indeed the task Megabazos set out upon. The Paiones living by the lower Strymon formed his next target and after their conquest a large number of Paiones was forcefully moved to Asia Minor. The campaign was concluded with a peaceful submission by Amyntas of Makedonia.

    The extent of the resulting Persian control in Thrace is controversial: estimates vary from a loose dominion primarily centred on the coastline to the establishment of a full-fledged satrapy stretching from the Istros to the Peneus River in Thessaly, centred on the Thracian plain. The author of this description favours the former hypothesis, which supposes that most, if not all of the areas within the Odrysai province likely remained outside of direct Persian control, save for perhaps the southern edges and part of the western coastline of the Pontos Euxeinos. Whatever may have been the case, the newly conquered lands were controlled by Persian garrisons established in strategically important locations. The Persian conquest also led to the imposition of tribute upon the Hellenic cities and Thracian and Paeonian tribes within these territories, likely paid either in silver bars or coins. Several archaeological finds of Persian make or influence near Duvanli indicate the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Persians and local Thracian dynasts in the hinterland, although the character of said relations remains unknown thus far.
    Last edited by Adalingum; 07-01-2015 at 10:17.

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  24. #384
    COYATOYPIKC Senior Member Flatout Minigame Champion Arjos's Avatar
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    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    I think it is good, but as you mentioned it will be quite lengthy by the end...

    Major focus has to be given to the Hellenistic period of course, maybe you could shorten this part, while keeping the same style for EBII's timeframe...

    Still there are definitely long descriptions in the game already :P

    BTW as an update: I finished and submitted "Saka Yabgu", just reviewing it now...
    Last edited by Arjos; 07-01-2015 at 15:15.

  25. #385
    Member Member Friendly Sword's Avatar
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    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    This is a description I made a while after talking to Brennus.

    Feedback/criticism would be super appreciated! :)

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 
    Talallobrogis Province Description
    Turning away from the warm shores of the Great Sea the traveller heads north, to follow the banks of the mighty Rodonos River as it climbs into the valleys and peaks of the soaring Alpes peaks. This river is the lifeblood to the many Keltoi tribes that live in its watershed, no more so than the strong and fierce Allobroges people that call these valleys home. They are a warlike and divided people, but of outstanding courage and loyalty. They are excellent farmers as well, and grow rich from the supplies of wheat and wine their fruitful valley supplies. Woe betides the traveller who would seek to cheat them or question their honour. Like the mighty oak forests and cloudy peaks of their homeland, the Allobroges are tall, imposing, and not to be trifled with.

    Geography
    The territory of the Allobroges corresponded roughly to the modern French department of Rhône-Alpes, centering on the various river valleys extending east and south from the Rhône River. The region is marked by its topographical diversity; in the west part of the territory the crumbling eastern terminus of the Massif Central range gives way to the Rhône valley; the upstream path of the Rhône then carves to the northeast towards Lake Geneva joined by number of tributaries that cascade from the Alps tallest peaks. Scattered amidst these peaks can be found some of continental Europe’s only glaciers, which feed streams that trickle through valleys that evolve from narrow mountain passes into smooth and broad troughs at the point of their confluence with the main Rhône valley.

    Talallobrogis is home to an extremely variable climate, due to the blending of four distinct weather influences; the Continental system to the north, the Mediterranean climate to the south, Alpine to the east and Atlantic to the west, from across the massif. As such, for the Rhône and adjacent valleys the summers are hot and generally humid; spring and autumn are mild; winter is long, cold and snowy, especially in the mountains. Rainfall is typically higher than surrounding regions, but varies constantly.

    The flora and fauna of the region are typical of the temperate and mountainous areas of the province. The most significant type of vegetation is the old growth forests that dominate the landscape. Oak, Chestnut poplar and Beech trees are common in the central and west parts of the territory, with mulberry and olive trees flanking vineyards that lie along the Rhone as it heads south towards the Mediterranean. Juniper and dwarf pines persist on the higher slopes of the valleys and mountainsides.

    The rivers of the territory hold large populations of eels, pike, perch, carp, roach, salmon, and trout. The Roman baths of Vienne held a basin that contained a large selection of indigenous fish from the river for decoration. In Neolithic times, this region was home to large predatory animals such as wolves and brown bears, as well as herbivores such as elk. The larger fauna gradually disappeared from the lower valleys during the occupation by Iron Age tribes of the La Tène expansion but could still be found in the foothills of the Alps well into the Roman occupation. Smaller animals found in great abundance in the forests of Talallobrgis include martens, beavers, wild pigs, foxes, weasels, bats, rodents, rabbits, and assorted birds, with ibex and lynx at higher altitudes.

    The People, Society and Government
    The eponymous inhabitants of Talallobrogis during the third century BC were primarily members of the Allobroges tribe, a Keltoi clan confederation that came into being as part of the middle La Tène cultural expansion into the western Alps.

    The people that composed the tribes of the Allobroges were a mixture of the regions Bronze Age predecessors, with an additional influx of people from the northeast Hallstatt core area who brought with them new cultural behaviours. This cultural expansion reached its zenith in the 4th century BCE, completely replacing the earlier Urnfield culture and bringing with it an explosion of complexity in the art and metal work of the people, with the introduction of intricate spiral designs and metallic jewelry.

    The social organization of the Allobroges was akin to those of other Keltoi groups, but their proximity to the Mediterranean basin likely caused extensive influence from the Hellenic, Phoenician, and Rasenna civilizations that interacted with southern Gaul. Early settlements were open villages centred on fortified Chieftain’s homes, but towards the third century BCE the Allobroges increasingly lived in larger fortified Oppida fed by surrounding farming areas. The primary urban centre of the region was known as Vienne or Uiennos which was located on two hills overlooking the confluence of the rivers Rhône and Gère and in the vicinity of a small number of unfortified hamlets.

    The Allobroges practiced extensive agriculture, with a surplus of wheat being grown along the banks of the Rhône. The slopes of the valley were also excellent locations for viniculture, a potential that would be realized into wine production after the incorporation of the Allobroges into the Roman Empire. The region also saw animal husbandry, forestry, and limited amounts of ore mining. There are records of slaves being traded through Massalia by Gaulish tribes that would have undoubtedly included the Allobroges. These Greek traders also introduced to the tribes of the Rhône wine, salted pork, medicinal plants, coral and cork.

    The religion of the Allobroges was drawn from many Gallic sources, and like their neighbours the people dug ritual burial shafts and practiced votive offerings and occasionally human sacrifice. The deities were likely identical to those of other Gallic tribes, although it is noteworthy that no representations of Cernunnos or Epona have been found in the area. The introduction of Roman rule saw some changes to the religious fabric of the province but great numbers of adherents continued old traditions. Old Gallic gods like the mallet-bearing Sucellus and the mother goddesses called the Matres (depicted with cornucopiae) continued to be worshiped syncretistically along with the Roman gods in the region long after the induction of the territory as a Roman colony. Additional religious cults came later with the oriental immigrants, who brought the eastern mystery religions to the Rhône valley. A major shrine of the Phrygian goddess Cybele was built in Vienne, and grew significantly in popularity by the 1st century and 2nd century. North-east of Vienne and north of Cularo (modern Grenoble), is a major healing sanctuary at the modern town of Aix-les-Bains. This was dedicated to a southern Gaulish healing god Borvo, and not to Apollo as might have been expected of such a Romanised people.

    Politically the Allobroges were, like other Gallic tribes, actually a super-tribal group composed of functionally independent smaller tribes. Each of these groups were often large related families with their own councils of elders, religious leaders, and warleaders. There were nominal ties between these groups but in practice the Allobroges rarely acted as a unified political force, only doing so in times of external strife or crisis, such as the election of Chief Catugnatus during a revolt against Rome in 61 BCE.

    History
    The legacy of humanity in the province of Talallabrogis is ancient, murky, and violent. Archaeological evidence indicates that the valleys of what would later be called the eastern Rhone watershed have been home to early modern human populations as early as 43,000 years ago, where they gradually displaced or merged with the endemic Neanderthal population. This tiny hunter-gatherer population would gradually adopt metal-working and agriculture, a process that escalated significantly with the influence of the proto-Celtic cultures to the northeast that began to affect the area around 500 BC.

    By 400 BC Celtic tribes of the La Tène culture were firmly entrenched in the upper Rhône valley, forming the eastern flank of would become to be known as the Gaulish civilization. At this point they began to interact with the Greeks of nearby Massalia whose traders established envoys and trading routes to expand their access to the goods of the interior. Through this link contact was made with the vestiges of other Mediterranean civilizations, in particular the Etruscans and Phoenicians. Mediterranean events would gradually begin to involve and eclipse the local tribal politics of the Allobroges.

    The first written record of the Allobroges comes from Polybius, who details their role in the journey of Hanba’al who during his journey to Italy was make his way through mountain passes that were fortified by the Allobroges. Though Hannibal had great success in making alliances with tribes west of the Rhône and those of Cisalpine Gaul, he does not appear to have been successful at negotiating friendship or free passage in this case. Allobroges warriors first unsuccessfully attacked Hannibals baggage train and harassed the passage of the army following an assault on their forts. For his part, Hannibal appears to have destroyed several settlements in his path as a lesson to the ‘barbarians’.

    The Allobroges appear thereafter to have been left alone during the remainder of the Punic Wars, continuing to engage only in trade or low level conflict with immediate neighbours. During this century the tribe appears to have allied with the stronger Averni confederation to their west. The area once again came in conflict with a distant empire when two newly elected and ambitious Romani consuls named Gnaeus Domitius and Quintus Fabius Maximus began a campaign to subdue the Gaulish tribes in southern Gallia Transalpina. The pretext for the invasion was that the king of the rebellious Saluvii tribe had fled north to escape justice by Romani hands and received succor from the Allobroges. A potentially more important strategic consideration for the invasion was that conquering this area would give the burgeoning empire land access to their Iberian holdings and humble the rivals to their allies, the Aedui.

    In any case, a Romani army assembled in 121 BC and marched from Masallia to confront the Allobroges. After a swift but inconclusive defeat at the hands of the Romani force as they occupied the area where the Isère (Isara) meets the Rhône (Rodonos), the Allobroges appealed for help from their powerful Averni allies, who had established the most powerful tribal coalition in the region. Bringing a large army to bear, King Vituitus marched to the Rhone to meet with the remaining warriors of the Allobroges and assaulted the Romani forces at Vindalium on the banks of the river. This battle proved disastrous for the alliance, as Romani discipline and decisive use of war elephants broke the Keltoi assault, resulting in the destruction of the Allobroges and Averni forces as well as the capture of the Averni king. In their victory, the Romani caused much resettling and occupied the main Oppida of the Allobroges at Vienne.

    Romani rule would prove to be beneficial to many in the region, as growing connections with the Empire’s trade routes saw a significant increase in urbanization and wealth of the province. This prosperity was challenged when the invasion of the Cimbri and Teutones threatened the security of the area and set off a destabilization Helvetii migration into the area. Imperial rule was seriously challenged in 105 BCE the Romani army was defeated at nearby Arausio and the Germanic tribes began to penetrate the Alpine passes. The general Gauis Marius eventually succeeded at dealing with this invasion, once again cementing the security of the area.

    As the prosperity and population of Gallia Narbonensis grew, the Allobroges tribe grew more and more entwined with the politics and intrigue of Roma. The most infamous example of this would be the Catalunian conspiracy of 63 BCE, whereupon a group of ostracized Romani political elites sought to foment rebellion and attempted to recruit the Allobroges into the conspiracy. The Allobroges instead informed on the conspirators, an act which resulted in a failure of the plot. Two years later the tribe rebelled on its own, electing chief Catugnatus to lead the revolt and expelling Romani citizens from Vienne. Those fleeing citizens would resettle the former village of Lugdunon, turning it into a rival city. This rebellion was ultimately crushed by Gaius Pomptinus at Solonium.

    Their loyalty restored, the Allobroges would play an important role in ensuring the early success of Julius Caesar as he began his campaign to subdue the remaining entirety of Gaul. Caesar praised the warriors of the Allobroges, including two brothers named Roucillus and Egus who had been Chieftans of the tribe as excellent and upstanding allies during the campaign. Though the Allobroges would briefly assert a final attempt at independence in the chaos following Caesar’s assassination, they would once again aquiese to Romani rule, this time permanently.

    By 100 AD, the city of Vienne had been granted status of full colonae by Emperor Augustus and had become capital to the flourishing province of Gallia Viennensis. Though highly Romanised, the remainder of the province retained elements of Keltoi culture, such as language and religious worship. Described as ‘historic and imposing’ by Tacitus, the city would continue to prosper until the general Imperial decline in the early 5th century. When the Burgundian tribe established control over the area in 443, the small remnants of Allobroges culture and language that remained quickly disappeared.

    Strategy
    Allobrogis is a highly strategic province, located as it is in the nexus of the southern Gallic lands; no transalpine nation can afford to overlook it. Rich in ores, slaves and other tradeable goods, it has the capacity to grow into a wealthy urban centre and become the jewel of any burgeoning empire.
    Last edited by Friendly Sword; 07-05-2015 at 19:59.
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  26. #386

    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    Quote Originally Posted by Friendly Sword View Post
    This is a description I made a while after talking to Brennus.

    Feedback/criticism would be super appreciated! :)

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 
    Talallobrogis Province Description
    Turning away from the warm shores of the Great Sea the traveller heads north, to follow the banks of the mighty Rodonos River as it climbs into the valleys and peaks of the soaring Alpes peaks. This river is the lifeblood to the many Keltoi tribes that live in its watershed, no more so than the strong and fierce Allobroges people that call these valleys home. They are a warlike and divided people, but of outstanding courage and loyalty. They are excellent farmers as well, and grow rich from the supplies of wheat and wine their fruitful valley supplies. Woe betides the traveller who would seek to cheat them or question their honour. Like the mighty oak forests and cloudy peaks of their homeland, the Allobroges are tall, imposing, and not to be trifled with.

    Geography
    The territory of the Allobroges corresponded roughly to the modern French department of Rhône-Alpes, centering on the various river valleys extending east and south from the Rhône River. The region is marked by its topographical diversity; in the west part of the territory the crumbling eastern terminus of the Massif Central range gives way to the Rhône valley; the upstream path of the Rhône then carves to the northeast towards Lake Geneva joined by number of tributaries that cascade from the Alps tallest peaks. Scattered amidst these peaks can be found some of continental Europe’s only glaciers, which feed streams that trickle through valleys that evolve from narrow mountain passes into smooth and broad troughs at the point of their confluence with the main Rhône valley.

    Talallobrogis is home to an extremely variable climate, due to the blending of four distinct weather influences; the Continental system to the north, the Mediterranean climate to the south, Alpine to the east and Atlantic to the west, from across the massif. As such, for the Rhône and adjacent valleys the summers are hot and generally humid; spring and autumn are mild; winter is long, cold and snowy, especially in the mountains. Rainfall is typically higher than surrounding regions, but varies constantly.

    The flora and fauna of the region are typical of the temperate and mountainous areas of the province. The most significant type of vegetation is the old growth forests that dominate the landscape. Oak, Chestnut poplar and Beech trees are common in the central and west parts of the territory, with mulberry and olive trees flanking vineyards that lie along the Rhone as it heads south towards the Mediterranean. Juniper and dwarf pines persist on the higher slopes of the valleys and mountainsides.

    The rivers of the territory hold large populations of eels, pike, perch, carp, roach, salmon, and trout. The Roman baths of Vienne held a basin that contained a large selection of indigenous fish from the river for decoration. In Neolithic times, this region was home to large predatory animals such as wolves and brown bears, as well as herbivores such as elk. The larger fauna gradually disappeared from the lower valleys during the occupation by Iron Age tribes of the La Tène expansion but could still be found in the foothills of the Alps well into the Roman occupation. Smaller animals found in great abundance in the forests of Talallobrgis include martens, beavers, wild pigs, foxes, weasels, bats, rodents, rabbits, and assorted birds, with ibex and lynx at higher altitudes.

    The People, Society and Government
    The eponymous inhabitants of Talallobrogis during the third century BC were primarily members of the Allobroges tribe, a Keltoi clan confederation that came into being as part of the middle La Tène cultural expansion into the western Alps.

    The people that composed the tribes of the Allobroges were a mixture of the regions Bronze Age predecessors, with an additional influx of people from the northeast Hallstatt core area who brought with them new cultural behaviours. This cultural expansion reached its zenith in the 4th century BCE, completely replacing the earlier Urnfield culture and bringing with it an explosion of complexity in the art and metal work of the people, with the introduction of intricate spiral designs and metallic jewelry.

    The social organization of the Allobroges was akin to those of other Keltoi groups, but their proximity to the Mediterranean basin likely caused extensive influence from the Hellenic, Phoenician, and Rasenna civilizations that interacted with southern Gaul. Early settlements were open villages centred on fortified Chieftain’s homes, but towards the third century BCE the Allobroges increasingly lived in larger fortified Oppida fed by surrounding farming areas. The primary urban centre of the region was known as Vienne or Uiennos which was located on two hills overlooking the confluence of the rivers Rhône and Gère and in the vicinity of a small number of unfortified hamlets.

    The Allobroges practiced extensive agriculture, with a surplus of wheat being grown along the banks of the Rhône. The slopes of the valley were also excellent locations for viniculture, a potential that would be realized into wine production after the incorporation of the Allobroges into the Roman Empire. The region also saw animal husbandry, forestry, and limited amounts of ore mining. There are records of slaves being traded through Massalia by Gaulish tribes that would have undoubtedly included the Allobroges. These Greek traders also introduced to the tribes of the Rhône wine, salted pork, medicinal plants, coral and cork.

    The religion of the Allobroges was drawn from many Gallic sources, and like their neighbours the people dug ritual burial shafts and practiced votive offerings and occasionally human sacrifice. The deities were likely identical to those of other Gallic tribes, although it is noteworthy that no representations of Cernunnos or Epona have been found in the area. The introduction of Roman rule saw some changes to the religious fabric of the province but great numbers of adherents continued old traditions. Old Gallic gods like the mallet-bearing Sucellus and the mother goddesses called the Matres (depicted with cornucopiae) continued to be worshiped syncretistically along with the Roman gods in the region long after the induction of the territory as a Roman colony. Additional religious cults came later with the oriental immigrants, who brought the eastern mystery religions to the Rhône valley. A major shrine of the Phrygian goddess Cybele was built in Vienne, and grew significantly in popularity by the 1st century and 2nd century. North-east of Vienne and north of Cularo (modern Grenoble), is a major healing sanctuary at the modern town of Aix-les-Bains. This was dedicated to a southern Gaulish healing god Borvo, and not to Apollo as might have been expected of such a Romanised people.

    Politically the Allobroges were, like other Gallic tribes, actually a super-tribal group composed of functionally independent smaller tribes. Each of these groups were often large related families with their own councils of elders, religious leaders, and warleaders. There were nominal ties between these groups but in practice the Allobroges rarely acted as a unified political force, only doing so in times of external strife or crisis, such as the election of Chief Catugnatus during a revolt against Rome in 61 BCE.

    History
    The legacy of humanity in the province of Talallabrogis is ancient, murky, and violent. Archaeological evidence indicates that the valleys of what would later be called the eastern Rhone watershed have been home to early modern human populations as early as 43,000 years ago, where they gradually displaced or merged with the endemic Neanderthal population. This tiny hunter-gatherer population would gradually adopt metal-working and agriculture, a process that escalated significantly with the influence of the proto-Celtic cultures to the northeast that began to affect the area around 500 BC.

    By 400 BC Celtic tribes of the La Tène culture were firmly entrenched in the upper Rhône valley, forming the eastern flank of would become to be known as the Gaulish civilization. At this point they began to interact with the Greeks of nearby Massalia whose traders established envoys and trading routes to expand their access to the goods of the interior. Through this link contact was made with the vestiges of other Mediterranean civilizations, in particular the Etruscans and Phoenicians. Mediterranean events would gradually begin to involve and eclipse the local tribal politics of the Allobroges.

    The first written record of the Allobroges comes from Polybius, who details their role in the journey of Hanba’al who during his journey to Italy was make his way through mountain passes that were fortified by the Allobroges. Though Hannibal had great success in making alliances with tribes west of the Rhône and those of Cisalpine Gaul, he does not appear to have been successful at negotiating friendship or free passage in this case. Allobroges warriors first unsuccessfully attacked Hannibals baggage train and harassed the passage of the army following an assault on their forts. For his part, Hannibal appears to have destroyed several settlements in his path as a lesson to the ‘barbarians’.

    The Allobroges appear thereafter to have been left alone during the remainder of the Punic Wars, continuing to engage only in trade or low level conflict with immediate neighbours. During this century the tribe appears to have allied with the stronger Averni confederation to their west. The area once again came in conflict with a distant empire when two newly elected and ambitious Romani consuls named Gnaeus Domitius and Quintus Fabius Maximus began a campaign to subdue the Gaulish tribes in southern Gallia Transalpina. The pretext for the invasion was that the king of the rebellious Saluvii tribe had fled north to escape justice by Romani hands and received succor from the Allobroges. A potentially more important strategic consideration for the invasion was that conquering this area would give the burgeoning empire land access to their Iberian holdings and humble the rivals to their allies, the Aedui.

    In any case, a Romani army assembled in 121 BC and marched from Masallia to confront the Allobroges. After a swift but inconclusive defeat at the hands of the Romani force as they occupied the area where the Isère (Isara) meets the Rhône (Rodonos), the Allobroges appealed for help from their powerful Averni allies, who had established the most powerful tribal coalition in the region. Bringing a large army to bear, King Vituitus marched to the Rhone to meet with the remaining warriors of the Allobroges and assaulted the Romani forces at Vindalium on the banks of the river. This battle proved disastrous for the alliance, as Romani discipline and decisive use of war elephants broke the Keltoi assault, resulting in the destruction of the Allobroges and Averni forces as well as the capture of the Averni king. In their victory, the Romani caused much resettling and occupied the main Oppida of the Allobroges at Vienne.

    Romani rule would prove to be beneficial to many in the region, as growing connections with the Empire’s trade routes saw a significant increase in urbanization and wealth of the province. This prosperity was challenged when the invasion of the Cimbri and Teutones threatened the security of the area and set off a destabilization Helvetii migration into the area. Imperial rule was seriously challenged in 105 BCE the Romani army was defeated at nearby Arausio and the Germanic tribes began to penetrate the Alpine passes. The general Gauis Marius eventually succeeded at dealing with this invasion, once again cementing the security of the area.

    As the prosperity and population of Gallia Narbonensis grew, the Allobroges tribe grew more and more entwined with the politics and intrigue of Roma. The most infamous example of this would be the Catalunian conspiracy of 63 BCE, whereupon a group of ostracized Romani political elites sought to foment rebellion and attempted to recruit the Allobroges into the conspiracy. The Allobroges instead informed on the conspirators, an act which resulted in a failure of the plot. Two years later the tribe rebelled on its own, electing chief Catugnatus to lead the revolt and expelling Romani citizens from Vienne. Those fleeing citizens would resettle the former village of Lugdunon, turning it into a rival city. This rebellion was ultimately crushed by Gaius Pomptinus at Solonium.

    Their loyalty restored, the Allobroges would play an important role in ensuring the early success of Julius Caesar as he began his campaign to subdue the remaining entirety of Gaul. Caesar praised the warriors of the Allobroges, including two brothers named Roucillus and Egus who had been Chieftans of the tribe as excellent and upstanding allies during the campaign. Though the Allobroges would briefly assert a final attempt at independence in the chaos following Caesar’s assassination, they would once again aquiese to Romani rule, this time permanently.

    By 100 AD, the city of Vienne had been granted status of full colonae by Emperor Augustus and had become capital to the flourishing province of Gallia Viennensis. Though highly Romanised, the remainder of the province retained elements of Keltoi culture, such as language and religious worship. Described as ‘historic and imposing’ by Tacitus, the city would continue to prosper until the general Imperial decline in the early 5th century. When the Burgundian tribe established control over the area in 443, the small remnants of Allobroges culture and language that remained quickly disappeared.

    Strategy
    Allobrogis is a highly strategic province, located as it is in the nexus of the southern Gallic lands; no transalpine nation can afford to overlook it. Rich in ores, slaves and other tradeable goods, it has the capacity to grow into a wealthy urban centre and become the jewel of any burgeoning empire.
    Nicely done.

    EDIT: What should the actual name of the province be? Talaallobrogis (Old) or Talallobrogis (New). If it is the new spelling version then the imperial_campaign_regions_and_settlement_names file will also need to be updated as well.
    Last edited by MIKE GOLF; 07-08-2015 at 02:53.

  27. #387

    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    Greetings Gentlemen,

    I never said it would be fast but its here, only 6 months late (oops). Here is the regional description for Ikoranda Piktonis, not including "People and Society and Strategy" which will be done tomorrow along with formatting and such. Thoughts and feelings?

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Traveller’s Log

    The cold Atlantic splashes onto the deck as the Traveller shivers under his cloak, the harsh Gallic voices of the crew swallowed by the hiss and rush of the ocean. The captain, despite being a seasoned seaman, refuses to travel close to the coast siting risks of shifting sandbars, strong and unpredictable currents and tides. All that can be made out is the mouth of the Liger, surrounded by marshes and, on drier land, deciduous forests and farmland. This land is inhabited by the Piktonis and the Santonis, and his final destination, Lemonum, by the Lemovices. All are Celts, warlike and proud, who live and die by the sword.

    Geography

    Ikoranda Piktonis roughly corresponds to two of the administrative regions of modern France, Pays de la Loire and Poitou-Charentes, and is split equally between them. It covered the area between the Loire River (in the period of EB, the Liger), which forms its northern border, and the Gironde Estuary (the Garumna), which forms its southern border. Technically, the Gironde is only the mouth of two rivers, the most northern of being the Dordogne which formed the southern border. Its limit to the west is the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic, while its eastern border is somewhat unclear with the province petering out east of the capital, Lemonum. The Gironde and the Loire were (and are) marshy and unpredictable rivers with strong tidal flows and changeable sandbanks, requiring an experienced pilot to navigate safely. But with risk comes riches, the marshes are a haven for birds and fish. The Atlantic was a major means of travel and exchange by the 3rd century BCE, influencing the archaeological signature of all coastal settlements in Celtic land, creating the ‘Atlantic façade’.

    The climate of this period was much as it is today, a temperate oceanic climate, with significant rainfall in both summer and winter. The land is mostly flat and low lying, with no major mountain ranges or hills. As a result, the two dominant biomes are marsh and deciduous forest. The deciduous forest was made up of oak, beech, pine and birch with numerous mammals such as deer, boar, wolves, foxes, rabbits and–occasionally-bears. However, the large carnivores that once inhabited this forest such as bears and wolves were eradicated in the Middle Ages.

    History

    The history of this region is long, stretching as back to its first settlement by the genus Homo by Homo neanderthalisensis, almost 200 000 years ago to their eventual replacement by humans by 30 000 years ago and onwards. These humans were responsible for the stunning cave paintings at Lascaux and other Upper Paleolithic sites.

    The arrival of farming and the somewhat mysterious Indo-Europeans around 3000 BCE, marks the beginning of the story of Ikoranda Piktonis.

    Indo-Europeans are the source of the majority of modern European and Asian languages, with the exception of Basque and Finnish in Western Europe. They are reputed to have migrated from an area around Iran and Northern India to travel as far west as Ireland, leaving behind both language and belief systems that would evolve into ‘Celtic’ by 1000 BCE. These languages were driven into extinction by the Roman conquest of Western Europe, delivering the killing blow to Gaulish, Galatian, Celto-Iberian among others. Only in the far western strongholds did these languages survive, leaving Welsh, Gaelic and Irish to survive into the present.

    The first truly ‘Celtic’ culture in Europe is the Hallstatt, which marks the beginning of widespread iron usage in this area albeit tempered with a strong usage of bronze. It was named for a huge cemetery is Austria where over 1000 burials were discovered. It was characterized by the appearance of fortified hilltop settlements (Oppida) and elaborate elite burials which would continue into the next archaeologically defined culture, the La Tène. This begins around 5th century BCE and would continue until the Roman conquest in the 1st century. Contact with the Greeks, Phoenicians and Romans resulted in a vibrant trade, exchanging the exotics of the north for those of the south, by riverine routes on the Danube and Rhine. In Ikoranda Piktonis Greek and Phoencian traders arrived from the Mediterranean to trade for tin from Britain and other goods from the interior of Gaul. This helped fuel the wealth based culture of the La Tène, where gifts and largess played a key part in determining status, reflecting in the impressive burials and artifacts of the period.

    Such is the state of play by the beginning of Europa Barbarorum in early 3rd century BCE, with elite culture and status being fueled by Mediterranean trade, which was funneled into the ports of the Atlantic coast and up the rivers of Central Europe.

    The arrival of Julius Caesar in Gaul in 58 BCE gives us our first comprehensive written accounts of this region, which gives us the names of many of the tribes he encountered, including in Ikoranda Piktonis, the Pictones or Piktonis. These people were renowned for their shipbuilding and aided Caesar in his initial conquest of Gaul, supplying ships and men. They attempted to aid the rebellion of Vercingetorix but were repressed after his defeat at Alesia and became part of the Roman Empire.

    I'm going to do a little bit of shameless self promotion here: check out my Sweboz AAR for EB2 (alas discontinued)
    https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showt...irst-among-Men

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  28. #388
    EBII Hod Carrier Member QuintusSertorius's Avatar
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    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    @Brennus - new description above for you to review.
    It began on seven hills - an EB 1.1 Romani AAR with historical house-rules (now ceased)
    Heirs to Lysimachos - an EB 1.1 Epeiros-as-Pergamon AAR with semi-historical houserules (now ceased)
    Philetairos' Gift - a second EB 1.1 Epeiros-as-Pergamon AAR


  29. #389

    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    All polished off, its decent but may be a bit general. It lacks specificity about the province itself, I ended up rambling about things that are not strictly on topic. Plus needs more druids, I'll come back to it probably but for now here it is.

    Ikoranda Piktonis

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 
    <h>Traveller’s Log</h><p>The cold Atlantic splashes onto the deck as the Traveller shivers under his cloak, the harsh Gallic voices of the crew swallowed by the hiss and rush of the ocean. The captain, despite being a seasoned seaman, refuses to travel close to the coast, siting risks of shifting sandbars, strong and unpredictable currents and tides. All that can be made out is the mouth of the Liger, surrounded by marshes and, on drier land, deciduous forests and farmland. This land is inhabited by the Piktonis and the Santonis, and his final destination, Lemonum, by the Lemovices. All are Celts, warlike and proud, who live and die by the sword.</p><h>Geography</h><p>Ikoranda Piktonis roughly corresponds to two of the administrative regions of modern France, Pays de la Loire and Poitou-Charentes, and is split equally between them. It covered the area between the Loire River (in the period of EB, the Liger), which formed its northern border, and the Gironde Estuary (the Garumna), which forms its southern border. Technically, the Gironde is only the mouth of two rivers, the most northern of being the Dordogne which forms the southern border. Its limit to the west is the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic, while its eastern border is somewhat unclear with the province petering out east of the capital, Lemonum. The Gironde and the Loire were (and are) marshy and unpredictable rivers with strong tidal flows and changeable sandbanks, requiring an experienced pilot to navigate safely. But with risk comes riches, the marshes are a haven for birds, fish and traders. The Atlantic was a major means of travel and exchange by the 3rd century BCE, influencing the archaeological signature of all coastal settlements in Celtic land, creating the so-called ‘Atlantic façade’.</p> <p>The climate of this period was much as it is today, a temperate oceanic climate, with significant rainfall in both summer and winter. The land is mostly flat and low lying, with no major mountain ranges or hills. As a result, the two dominant biomes are marsh and deciduous forest. The deciduous forest was made up of oak, beech, pine and birch with numerous mammals such as deer, boar, wolves, foxes, rabbits and–occasionally-bears. However, the large carnivores that once inhabited this forest such as bears and wolves were eradicated in the Middle Ages.</p> <h>History</h><p>The history of this region is long, stretching as back to its first settlement by the genus Homo by Homo neanderthalisensis, almost 200 000 years ago. But bthe arrival of Indo-European languages and farming marks the beginning of the history of Ikoranda Piktonis.</p><p>Indo-Europeans are the source of the majority of modern European and Asian languages, with the exception of Basque and Finnish in Western Europe. They are reputed to have migrated from an area around Iran and Northern India to travel as far west as Ireland, leaving behind both language and belief systems that would evolve into ‘Celtic’ by 1000 BCE. These languages were driven into extinction by the Roman conquest of Western Europe, delivering the killing blow to Gaulish, Galatian, Celto-Iberian among others. Only in the far western strongholds did these languages survive, leaving Welsh, Gaelic and Irish to survive into the present.</p><p>The first truly ‘Celtic’ culture in Europe is the Hallstatt, which marks the beginning of widespread iron usage in this area albeit tempered with a strong usage of bronze. It is worth noting however, the arrival of a specific archaeological culture cannot be equated with the arrival of the Celts or even a broad sense of ‘Celticness’. It was named for a huge cemetery is Austria where over 1000 burials were discovered. It was characterized by the appearance of fortified hilltop settlements (Oppida) and elaborate elite burials which would continue into the next archaeologically defined culture.</p><p>The La Tène begins around 5th century BCE and would continue until the Roman conquest in the 1st century. Contact with the Greeks, Phoenicians and Romans resulted in a vibrant trade, exchanging the exotics of the north for those of the south, by riverine routes on the Danube and Rhine and through the Atlantic. In Ikoranda Piktonis Greek and Phoencian traders arrived from the Mediterranean to trade for tin from Britain and other goods from the interior of Gaul. This helped fuel the wealth based culture of the La Tène, where gifts and largess played a key part in determining status, reflected in the impressive burials and artifacts of the period.</p> <p>Such is the state of play by the beginning of Europa Barbarorum in early 3rd century BCE, with elite culture and status being fueled by Mediterranean trade, which was funneled into the ports of the Atlantic coast and up the rivers of Central Europe.</p><p>The arrival of Julius Caesar in Gaul in 58 BCE gives us our first comprehensive written accounts of this region, which gives us the names of many of the tribes he encountered, including in Ikoranda Piktonis, the Pictones or Piktonis. These people were renowned for their shipbuilding and aided Caesar in his initial conquest of Gaul, supplying ships and men. They attempted to aid the rebellion of Vercingetorix but were repressed after his defeat at Alesia and after being absorbed by the Romans, ceased to exist as a separate entity.</p><h> People, Society and Government</h><p>The people of this region are Celts, drawn from ancient stock and with culture and language that can be traced back to the first Indo-European migrations into Europe.</p><p>There are two main varieties of Celtic that have been identified in Iron Age Europe, Insular and Continental Celtic, the former being spoken in Britain, Ireland and Brittany while the latter was spoken in the rest of Celtic Europe (including the similar but distinct Celto-Iberian). The language of the people of Ikoranda Piktonis was probably Gaulish, a language whose main source of evidence comes from inscriptions, due to the extinction of Continental Celtic during the Roman occupation to follow.</p><p>Celtic society and government is based around bondage, status and privilege. They were dominated by warrior elites, whose drive for status resulted in the beautiful and ornate art of the period. Bondage and fealty bound men and women to the King, in variety of statuses, from valued ‘shieldman’ to lowly serf. The sense of ‘nationhood’ was primarily formed from belonging to the tribe, resulting in frequent inter-tribal violence, which was often used to build a warrior’s prestige.</p><h>Strategy<h/><p>Rich trade and soils make this province a potential breadbasket for any empire, with wealth to expand and form a yet greater nation.</p>

    I'm going to do a little bit of shameless self promotion here: check out my Sweboz AAR for EB2 (alas discontinued)
    https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showt...irst-among-Men

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  30. #390

    Default Re: Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

    hi all.
    sorry to disturb, about the regions.
    i know you all are really advanced in the s.c. 'making of', but - historically speaking, i would like to give two little suggestions, more in line with the historical accuracy, concerning italy.

    Could the game regions be more adherent with the Augustan Division of Italy? Augustus reorganized Italy in 11 regions, coherent with their history and traditions (so it can be somehow historical even 3 centuries before him).

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Italy


    For example, it is a pity that there is no Samnium, a region with its own particular people, history and military tradition and which was very important in roman history and for the roman armies.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	italian regions.jpg 
Views:	161 
Size:	29.0 KB 
ID:	17110


    One more thing. i noticed that in none of the RTW/EB simulations, there is the Lake Fucinus.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fucine_Lake

    it was the biggest lake in peninsular italy, even bigger than the Trasimeno lake. it was even fought a naumachia during the emperor Claudius, and was place for a big batle during the Social War (89 b.c.).

    SO, i know the fixing is nearly completed, but, what do you think about?

    Belliger
    Nec sine Marsis nec contra Marsos triumphari posse
    (Appiano)

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