History of Derecta
Antiquity:
Derectan history begins around 670 BC. when the coast of modern-day Port Scheria is colonised by the Greek tribe Scheria. The Greek colons arrive at an almost pristine environment, Derecta only counting with few uncivilised tribes at the moment. This enables the Greeks to quickly establish their hegemony in the region, and submit the lesser coast-based proto-Derectan civilisation to their dominance.
First Greek enclave in Derecta
Having left their original settlement due to unknown causes, the Hellene colony founders quickly expanded towards the west and divided in 667 BC. what today comprises the entirety of Derecta's coastline into two distinct provinces:
Second stage of Greek conquering of Derecta
Anatolikós, to the east, ruled by Vasiliki, matriarch of the Scheria clan, its territory spawning across modern-day Marina, Port Scheria, Poseidarnassus, Kallonassa and Argomenion. It was a fishing area, as well and had many lush forests to hunt in.
Dytikós, to the west, ruled by Vasiliki's son Archelaos, its territory spawning across modern-day Dikaíoma, Thalassagoria, Athenaesios, Erethyma and Orchoskopeion. Mining began soon after the claiming of this land, which became Derecta's first source of precious minerals and metals. This advantage was fundamental to the designation of the province, and Dikaíoma, as the capital of the colony, as currency was minted there.
The same year, Dikaíoma is founded in Dytikós, as the city of "power and authority", and becomes the capital of the Greek colony. This is due to the growing weakness of Vasiliki, due to her old age, which enables Archelaos to amass even more power amongst the tribe's nobility.
In 657 BC. the Scheria add a new province to their territory: Vóreios, to the north, also ruled by Archelaos. This province will assure agricultural production in Derecta, covering the unclaimed territory now part of modern-day Scheria and stretching towards modern-day San Marcos.
Third stage of Greek conquering of Derecta
In 648 BC. Vasiliki dies and Archelaos takes over as ruler of the Three Greek Provinces. He founds the House of Athede, the oldest and longest surviving noble house in Derectan history, by marrying Hypatia of Thebaurus, daughter of one of his lieutenants. Archelaos then proclaims himself "Aνώτατος Aριστοκράτης/Anótatos Aristokrátis" meaning "Supreme Aristocrat". The title will be used by all his successors, including the Targan kings. The land becomes the Kingdom of Athede.
This is the beginning of monarchy in Derecta, which will last over 2,480 years.
623 BC marks the end of Greek expansion in Derecta, as they conquer their last province, Akrotérion, comprising the rest of the territory of modern-day San Marcos. This province will provide timber and stone for the rest of the colony.
Fourth and final stage of Greek conquering of Derecta.
LIST OF ATHEDE MONARCHS (ANTIQUITY):
(Dates listed correspond to years of ruling, not birth/death dates.)
Archelaos I: 648 BC - 629 BC: First Athede Monarch
Archelaos II: 629 BC - 607 BC: Son of Archelaos I, Akrotérion is conquered under his rule.
Archelaos III: 607 BC - 592 BC: Son of Archelaos II, Archelaos III orders the first Navy in Derectan history to be created, to defend the coastline and fishers from pirate attacks.
Hypatia I: 592 BC - 576 BC: Daughter of Archelaos III, founds the city of Poseidarnassus, the Athede Kingdom's largest and most protected fish market at the time.
Archelaos IV: 576 BC - 570 BC: Nephew of Hypatia I, replaces her son, who suffers from a strange, undetermined, mental affliction. Rules until Eirene I comes of age.
Eirene I: 570 BC - 545 BC: Granddaughter of Hypatia I, first female monarch to lead a strike against rebellious tribes in Vóreios, starting the Tribal Wars.
Archelaos V: 545 BC - 503 BC: Son of Eirene I, the first paved roads network across the Kingdom's provinces is built under his rule.
Archelaos VI: 503 BC - 451 BC: Son of Archelaos V, promotes the arts and founds the first Academia in Derecta.
Pherenike I: 451 BC - 417 BC: Daughter of Archelaos VI, she crushes the last remnants of rebellious tribes in the Kingdom, almost 100 years after her great-grandmother began the Tribal Wars.
Eirene II: 417 BC - 376 BC: Daughter of Pherenike I, she follows the pacific ways of her grandfather and promotes architecture and sculpture in Dikaíoma.
Archelaos VII: 376 BC - 329 BC: Son of Eirene II, creates the first "museum" in Derectan history, where he keeps art collected by his mother and great-grandfather.
Archelaos VIII: 329 BC - 291 BC: Son of Archelaos VII, establishes Amphorion, a city in modern-day Athenaesios, as "Summer Residence to the Supreme Aristocrat", title the city maintained until 1765.
Hypatia II: 291 BC - 203 BC: Daughter of Archelaos VIII, longest ruling monarch in Derectan history, having sat on the throne for 88 years.
Archelaos IX: 203 BC - 165 BC: Son of Hypatia II, establishes the Solstice of Summer as the "Athediades", a festival celebrating Athede Monarchy.
Archelaos X: 165 BC - 103 BC: Son of Archelaos IX, builds the first public library in Derectan history. Its use is, however, restricted to male citizens and women who have received an authorisation from their Kyrios (household master).
Archelaos XI: 103 BC - 50 BC: Son of Archelaos X, orders the refurbishing of the Kingdom's coastal forts.
Pherenike II: 50 BC - 03 AD: Daughter of Archelaos XI, establishes the " Δικαστήριο των Aριστοκρατών/Dikastírio ton Aristokratón", meaning "Court of Aristocrats" in Dikaíoma.
Eirene III: 03 AD - 60 AD: Daughter of Pherenike II, begins repression against first Christians in the Kingdom.
Archelaos XII: 60 AD - 97 AD: Son of Eirene III, continues repression against Christians in the Kingdom.
Archelaos XIII: 97 AD - 138 AD: Son of Archelaos XII, orders the use of less precious metals for coin minting after riots in the mines begin.
Archelaos XIV: 138 AD - 187 AD: Son of Archelaos XIII, orders the building of a wall around Dikaíoma.
Archelaos XV: 187 AD - 235 AD: Son of Archelaos XIV, allows Christians to exercise their religion in determined cities.
Hypatia III: 235 AD - 286 AD: Daughter of Archelaos XVI, grants first nobility title to a Christian.
Archelaos XVI: 286 AD - 286 AD: Son of Hypatia III, rules for 7 months until his death during a hunting party.
Archelaos XVII: 286 AD - 295 AD: Brother of Archelaos XVI, rules until his nephew comes of age.
Archelaos XVIII: 295 AD - 326 AD: Son of Archelaos XVI, grants nobility titles to the descendants of the tribal leaders defeated during the Tribal Wars.
Archelaos XIX: 326 AD - 378 AD: Son of Archelaos XVIII, crushes the rebellion known as the " Uprising of the Golden Spears", in which a group of nobles attempted to establish a republic in the Kingdom.
Archelaos XX: 378 AD - 430 AD: Son of Archelaos XIX, grants the "Duchy of Targan" to the House of Targan, an unknown family from Akrotérion, a city in modern-day Giroledo, which may have helped the King's father crush the nobles' rebellion.
Pherenike III/ St. Philothea I: 430 AD - 473 AD: Daughter of Archelaos XX, adopts Christianity as the official religion in 465 AD and changes her regnal name to Philothea, 400 years after her 9th great-grandmother massacred the first Christians in the Athede Kingdom.
St. Archelaos XXI: 473 AD - 541 AD: Son of Pherenike III/Philothea I, orders churches to be built in every major city.
Archelaos XXII: 541 AD - 593 AD: Son of Archelaos XXI, ends royal recognition of Greek pagan religions.
Philothea II: 593 AD - 632 AD: Daughter of Archelaos XXII, establishes Sunday as "Ημέρα του Δημιουργού/Iméra tou Dimiourgoú" meaning "Day of the Creator" as a day of rest.
Archelaos XXIII: 632 AD - 685 AD: Son of Philothea II, adopts Catholicism as the official state religion.
Archelaos XXIV: 685 AD - 723 AD: Son of Archelaos XXIII, extends citizenship to merchants, craftsmen and farmers/fishers/hunters.
Archelaos XXV: 723 AD - 769 AD: Son of Archelaos XXIV, divides the Kingdom into four "Πριγκιπάτoς/Prinkipátos", meaning "Principalities": Prinkipáto Anatolikós, ruled by the Prince of Akra Scheria, Prinkipáto Dytikós, ruled by the Prince of Amphorion, Prinkipáto Vóreios, ruled by the Prince of Didactrea and Prinkipáto Akróterion, ruled by the Prince of Theodidon. The King maintains primacy over the princes, and the heir to the throne shall be the Prince of Amphorion.
Archelaos XXVI: 769 AD - 801 AD: Son of Archelaos XXV, orders the first cathedral in Derectan history to be built in Dikaíoma.
Pherenike IV: 801 AD - 854 AD: Daughter of Archelaos XXVI, creates the "Συμβούλιο των Δούκων/Symvoúlio ton Doúkon" meaning "Council of the Dukes". The Kingdom's Dukes are summoned once a year to Dikaíoma, to report on their Duchy's activities. This is a form of proto-feudalism.
Pherenike V: 854 AD - 903 AD: Daughter of Pherenike IV, orders the foundation of the first religious order in Derectan History, the "Brotherhood of St. Archelaos XXI", which is still active.
Archelaos XXVII: 903 AD - 921 AD: Son of Pherenike V, declares Archeos "Αγία Πόλη του ομόσπονδου κράτους/Agía Póli tou omóspondou krátous" meaning "Holy City of the Land". Pilgrimages begin to admire the uncorrupt corpse of St. Philothea I.
Archelaos XXVIII: 921 AD - 995 AD: Son of Archelaos XXVII, introduces feudalism in the Kingdom after a trip around the Black Sea.
ART DURING DERECTAN ANTIQUITY:
4th Century BC "Askaphos Krater", depicting God Dionysios Eleutherios "the Liberator" and Ariadne, Unknown Author, found near Akra Scheria (Port Scheria)
4th Century BC wall painting depicting God Hades' rapture of Persephone, Apelles of Symos.
~510 BC belly amphora depicting divine hero Heracles and Goddess Athena, Unknown Author, found near Dikaíoma.
5th Century BC Dikaío Temple, Dikaíoma.
5th Century AD gold coin depicting Queen Pherenike III/St. Philothea.
3rd century BC gold hair ornament and net, Unknown Maker, found near Askaphos (Currently under Montenbourgian possession).
~200 BC mosaic depicting Queen Hypatia II, Unknown Author, found at the Royal Summer Residence in Amphorion.
2nd Century BC wall painting depicting an Athede Warrior, Unknown Author, found near Poseidarnassus.
4th Century BC Mosaic depicting two men hunting a stag, Unknown Author, found near Mesonion.
2nd Century AD, "Three Graces" sculpture, Akakios of Kalcheos, found in Dikaíoma (Currently under British possession)
Antiquity ends in the Kingdom of Athede with the introducing of feudalism around 965 AD, imported from neighbouring European countries.
(WIP)
