Regional Descriptions: Help the EBII Team

[Gaius Scribonius Curio]

Hi Perditrix Mundorum, welcome to the .Org!

Unfortunately the list on the opening page of the thread does not include all of the descriptions which have been completed internally. I am sorry to inform you (and everyone else) Delta Neilou, Heptanomis and Thebais: the three northern Egyptian provinces have already been completed (Alexandria being within the first).

I thank you for your interest, and if another province takes your interest, please let us know.

[Perditrix Mvndorvm]

Thanks for the warm welcome! I will take Elymais if no one else has taken it then. Perhaps I will do more of Iran in the future but for now I don't want to bite off more than I can chew.

For curiosity's sake, which Egyptian provinces have not been done? I would love to try my hand at Kush.

[Gaius Scribonius Curio]

Elymais is free, as is Kush: feel free to start either.

Oasis Megale, Triakontaschoinos, Erythraia and Libye all need authors too.

[Lizardo]

Why go through all the unneccessary trouble of rewriting regional descriptions. Wasn't there already descriptions in EB1?

[clone]

Why go through all the unneccessary trouble of rewriting regional descriptions. Wasn't there already descriptions in EB1?

1 some provinced in eb1 dont exist in eb 2 (they were changed)
2 from what i understand eb team wanted to create as many new things as possible rather use eb1 material
3 new breakthrought in history made some descriptions absolute
4 province descriptions are made either by historians (which this is their job) or by contributions

[V.T. Marvin]

And none were there in EB1 - it is a new feature altogether.

[Arjos]

Province: Aturpatakan

Traveller's Log

Past the shores of Lake Kapauta, whose name means blue in the Persian tongue, the traveller finds himself in the beautiful country of Aturpatakan. Once this province was part of the large Satrapeia of Media, but events following Alexandros Megas' death caused the current political division. A fertile plain embraces the lake, dotted by numerous ash hills, on top of which fortications have been built. To the East an impressive settlement is located: Ganzak. Meaning treasury, it once was a Satrapal seat, but it has become a royal capital for the local Dynasteia. The surrounding country is very fertile and its pastures can feed several thousands horses, but the rest of Aturpatakan is mountainous, rugged and cold. Nevertheless these peaks contain mines of gold, quicksilver, lead, silver, orpiment and amethysts. To the North are the Parachoathras Mountains, volcanic in nature they are the continuation of Mount Choatras, which stands to the east of Lake Kapauta. Extention and connecting link between the Tauros and Antitauros Mountains is Mount Iasonion, where Yazona terraces are located and local worship takes place. These ranges are inhabited by several warlike mountain tribes, who conduct a semi-nomadic life and neighbours know them as predatory brigands. Marking the northern border is the Aras River, which cuts a fertile valley throughout its course. While to the East, like a twisting snake, runs the Amardos River, splitting Media in two regions. Overlooking the depth of the valley lies the fortress of Frahāspa, which controls superb hunting grounds and holds a fire temple. Āturpāta, the local ruler after whom this province is named, has made this fortification the residence for his wives and royal princes. By the Kaspion Sea a dry plateau can be found, infamous for having a treeless and chalky soil. This is the only Aturpatakanian access to the sea, particularly cold, the surrounding peaks are perpetually covered with snow, it also holds hot mineral springs. Finally to the South the Zagros Mountains act as a natural barrier between Aturpatakan and Mesopotamia. Here is located the fortress of Jis, built by a volcanic pool, whose bottom cannot be sounded. Remarkably earth soaked with its water, immediately becomes hard stone.

Geography

Aturpatakan is characterised mostly by forest steppes, interrupted by isolated mountain ranges, with occurrences of large flats and salt marshes. The climate is semi-arid, but temperate, with precipitations falling mostly in winter and spring. The winters are particularly severe and summers are marked by extreme aridity. The dominant tree species are oak and pistachio, while at lower altitudes the vegetation is steppic, with shrubs predominating. However it is animal life that is supported in a rich variety: brown bears, Asiatic black bears, Persian fallow deers, foxes, eagles, wild goats, sheeps, wolves, leopards, wild boars and lizards roam the mountain areas and forested hills. While in the semi-arid steppe the typical avifauna is comprised by rock partridges, see-see partridges, little bustards, houbara bustards, black-bellied sandgrouses and black vultures. Aturpatakan is also noted for its considerable volcanic constructions, such as large andesitic cones, some bearing the marks of glaciers, while in the lower plateaus are untouched by them. These numerous fractures are known as the "volcanic cicatrix", which follows the internal ridge of the Zagros and marks its contact with the central Iranian plateau.

The People, Society and Government

The Mada of Aturpatakan were a very ancient population already by the Hellenistic period, having began to settle in the area at the end of the 2nd millennium BCE. Coming into contact with the Assyrian polity, the Mada formed a highly developed bureucratic organisation, coordinating local chiefs. Even before the emergence of a Median state, the title of Khšaçapavān existed to describe these individuals. Later it would be adopted by the Hakhāmanišiyā to designate regional administrators. The Mada were also innovators of architecture, taking inspiration by Assyrian and Bianilian buildings that would develop the prototype for forts and the columned hall, typical of the Persian Apadāna. The basic Median economic occupations were the breeding of horses and hadicraft production. Despite being excellent horsemen, the Mada were also highly religious and it seems that the Magian tradition formed among them. The Maguva were belonged to an influencial priestly class, acting also as dream interpreters, soothsayers, tutors and teachers of royal sons. They performed cultic libations at natural settings, like rivers and mountains, as well as making sacrifices of livestock, but were also engaged in administrative and economic activities. At first the Maguva were not representatives of any particular religion, just technical experts, but in time they adopted Zoroastrianism and as Athravana tended sacred fires and perfomed chants. Āturpāta's own name means "protected by the fire", denoting a strong Zoroastrian credence, was widely accepted by the locals not only as the name of the land, but by the 1st century BCE as the official designation for the people living in it.

The Kurtiya were a tribe dwelling mainly on the Zagros ridges of Aturpatakan. Their origins are uncertain, but their name denotes an association with mountains and dates back to Sumerian times. It is also possible that their name was a very generic term, denoting a collection of nomadic groups. By the Hellenistic period the Kurtiya were considered highly capable slingers, sought after by major powers to bolster their armies.

The Galshu were another tribe of highlanders, living by the Parachoathras Mountains. Noted as excellent javelineers and as being most warlike, throughout Hakhāmanišiyā rule they were a continual source of revolts. Coming to terms only with charismatic individuals, but always at a personal level trusting their word and never recognising higher socio-political structures. They required constant attention and military intervention, but whenever the Galshu felt a danger looming over their lands, they would side with other Northerners and the Mada.

The Asagartiya were an Iranian nomadic tribe, whose movements encompassed large tracks of land even outside of Aturpatakan, but their nobles often boasted Median origins. They were particularly famour for fighting unarmoured, carrying only with lassoes and daggers to finish their opponents.

The Amarda dwelled in the ranges South of the Kaspion Sea and conducted a pastoral life. They were another Iranian nomadic tribe and are described as a bellicose people, who found shelter in caves dug in the mountains. Appreciated as mounted archers, they wore a distinctive head-dress around their foreheads, which in reality was a sling employed both in war and to drive away predators from their herds.

The Tapara were an Iranian nomadic tribe, who might have had Skythian origins. They too dwelled south of the Kaspion Sea and were noted for having a custom, whereby the men dressed in black, wearing their hair long, while the women dressed in white and kept their hair short. They also practiced serial marriage, meaning that after few children were born and raised, the parents would marry other members of the tribe for several times during their lives.

The Kaspiya were an ancient people dwelling along the southwestern shore of the Kaspion Sea. Unfortunately very little is known about them, except that much of the local geography was named after them. They have been regarded as a pre-Indo-European people and were administratively grouped with the neighbouring nomadic tribes.

History

Before Aturpatakan was established as a province it was just a district of Media, which, at the time of Alexandros Megas' campaign, was under the Satrapal authority of Āturpāta. He proved a very capable and loyal Khšaçapavān, alongside his troops he fought at Gaugamela in 331 BCE. There he assaulted the Makedonian left flank, forcing Alexandros Megas to end his pursuit of Dārayavahuš III of Pârsa, lest he would have cut down the Makedonian infantry. Afterwards Āturpāta offered shelter to his sovereign and remained faithful, until the latter was betrayed and killed the following year. At that time Alexandros Megas appointed Media to Vakhšupata, simply because he had been imprisoned in Susa and thought him a natural ally. However Āturpāta was recognised for his skills and kept by Alexandros Megas' side. Indeed in 328 BCE the Makedonian Basileus reinstated him as Satrapes of Media and for the following years, as Alexandros Megas pushed eastwards, Āturpāta dealt with Iranian pretenders to the kingship of Asia. So high he rose in his new sovereign's esteem, that in 324 BCE Āturpāta's daughter was married to Perdikkas, who has just become Chiliarchos and therefore was second in command of the whole Makedonian army. Aturpatakan can be said to have been formed by the sudden death of Alexandros Megas the following year and the agreement between the Diadochoi at Triparadeisos in 321 BCE. From then onwards Āturpāta and his descendants had to deal with a neighbouring Hellenistic Satrapes of Media. Probably a settlement reached with Perdikkas, out of their marriage ties, to ensure a quiet northern border. But his territorial power had significantly diminished and Āturpāta soon realised how he could no longer trust Perdikkas, who developed royal ambitions, shown even in seeking more profitable marriages. Thus Āturpāta hedged his bets and claimed local kingship during the subsequent years of political chaos. By 312 BCE Seleukos I Nikator and his Dynasteia had become the neighbours of Aturpatakan. However the Seleukid Basileus accepted the new political situation and concentrated his efforts controlling southern Media, but might have exercised some sort of nominal suzerainty over Aturpatakan. Unfortunately little is known of this province's history during the 3rd century BCE, nor is it clear when Āturpāta died. It could be inferred that Artavazda succeeded him, but nothing else is known about this ruler. Around 220 BCE Artavazdana was Šāh of Aturpatakan, his name recorded in ancient sources being a patronymic. Described as being extremely old and the most powerful Iranian Dynastes of the time, he likely exploited the past Seleukid succession crises to exert a fully independent authority in the region. However Antiochos III, after his victory over the rebellious Molon, Satrapes of Media, launched a campaign against Aturpatakan, mainly to warn all nobles against supporting rebels with troops or arms. As already mentioned at this time Artavazdana had grown old and did not resisted, but acquiesced to submit Aturpatakan to Seleukid suzerainty, in exchange to his confirmation as Šāh. The following century is again very much silent in its reconstruction, Mihrdat I of the Pahlava successfully turned Aturpatakan into a vassal state after 148 BCE. Local autonomy was once again preserved and the royal family married into the Arshakid house. This situation remained unchanged until the death of Mihrdat II of the Pahlava around 88 BCE, when Tigran II Mets of Hayasdan claimed imperial power. This would eventually turn Aturpatakan into one of the main battlegrounds between the SPQR and Pahlava. In 36 BCE Marcvs Antonivs launched a major expedition against the Pahlava, marching through Aturpatakan. However, during the siege of Frahāspa, the Roman rearguard and siege-train were completely destroyed, compelling to withdraw in a disastrous retreat during winter. Despite the success the contemporary Šāh of Aturpatakan, called Artavazda, offered Marcvs Antonivs an alliance, out of fears concerning his autonomy and enmity over the division of the spoils with his Pahlavan sovereign. This allowed Artavazda to retake territory lost to Hayasdan, but the civil war in Roma caused all support from Marcvs Antonivs to end. Left alone Artavazda could not resist Pahlavan and Hai attacks, which resulted in him being taken prisoner in 30 BCE. Nevertheless struggles between Pahlavan claimants allowed him to escape, ultimately reaching Roma and taking refuge with Avgvstvs. He died around 20 BCE and his descendants probably lived in exile in Roma, being put back in power only in 9 CE, when a Roman supported claimant gained power among the Pahlava. However the Dynasteia of Aturpatakan ended not long afterwards in 19 CE with the murder of another Artavazda, being replaced by Arshakid younger sons.

Strategy

Aturpatakan has always been a stepping stone to all the major provinces of Asia and a source of superb cavalry forces. Rulers, with designs of domination in the East, should not overlook to defend its mountain passes and establish cordial relations with the many tribes of the highlands.

[Rhun ap Beli]

Provinces Descriptions Status: is there a reason why i can't see these on the opening forum post when I click on them I get a message you are not authorised to view this anyone?

Thanks

[Arjos]

Provinces Descriptions Status: is there a reason why i can't see these on the opening forum post when I click on them I get a message you are not authorised to view this anyone?

Thanks

That post was taken from EB's internal fora, so unfortunately certain links redirect there and only EB members have access to it...

Kull pasted it for a more up-to-date list :)

[Eliasmanos]

Hi guys :) The region of Corinth could perhaps be named more precisely (especially in comparison with Sparta). The term Peloponnesus is applied to the whole peninsula of S.Greece, not only the north part of the peninsula. It should (perhaps/imo) be called Korinthia (& Elis, since it is supposed to include Olympia). The regions in Peloponnesus are 7; Korinthia, Argolis, Arkadia, Elis, Achaea, Messine(Messinia) and Lakonia (Lakonike).

[Chap]

Im working on saurastra is anybody currently doing this?

[Arjos]

Im working on saurastra is anybody currently doing this?

Not that I know of, no...

[Chap]

I did this map to see where the gaps are. Its interesting to see where people have chosen to do first, and the large regions of bare history.



If anyone wants to help ask first. I don't know what has been done since first release.

[joshmahurin]

Hi guys :) The region of Corinth could perhaps be named more precisely (especially in comparison with Sparta). The term Peloponnesus is applied to the whole peninsula of S.Greece, not only the north part of the peninsula. It should (perhaps/imo) be called Korinthia (& Elis, since it is supposed to include Olympia). The regions in Peloponnesus are 7; Korinthia, Argolis, Arkadia, Elis, Achaea, Messine(Messinia) and Lakonia (Lakonike).

@paullus your thoughts?

[Chap]

iv finished Saurashtra that history took along time. I'm just doing the travelers log now its going to be a mauryan spy :)

[Mithridates VI Eupator]

Great, looking forward to Reading it.

Don't make the traveler's log overly actiony or character driven. Whatever province you read about, you should feel that the "traveler" could really be you. At the same time, it should really be like a slightly more immersive summary of the following, more academic, texts about history, geography etc.