Anthologica Universe Atlas / Universes / Eleuthèa / History of the Eleuthean Empire / Classic chronology
Prehistory
(thousands of years)
In general terms, prehistory in Eleuthea and Arbrea covers the time before the arrival of archaic Eleuthean, or Dhammaratic peoples. The lands that saw the origin and development of the Eleuthean realm were inhabited by five sentient species before the Arrival: the Azingurts, the Malacennans, the Sovis, the Tsirvis, and the Mareugas. All of them evolved close together, forming a complex civilization in which every species played a socio-economic role.
The Azingurts, a bipedal race, were a warrior species, having a prominent role within that native civilization, and occupying important places of political power. They were humanoid sentient creatures with beastly traits: muscled extremities, wide shoulders, and a pair of horns. In general terms, Azingurts were not very dissimilar from how we imagine Minotaurs. According to myths and legends, Azingurts were a brave species, formidable warriors to be feared in the battlefield and outside it.
The Malacennans were genetically close to the Azingurts, but, unlike them, they developed a more pastoralist culture. Urban life, and the construction of the ancient megaliths and cyclopean structures, that even today can be admired throughout the region, are thought to be a Malacennan innovation. Nowadays, experts believe the Malacennans were the most advanced species during prehistoric times, and the true creators of that native civilization, acting as its core society despite the apparent political rule and military domination of the Azingurts.
The Sovis were a quadrupedal species able to walk on their four extremities or only the two posterior legs at pleasure, using the anterior extremities as arms, which had a pair of thumbs on each hand. The Sovis were semiaquatic, living in swamps and marshes, and were devoted to agriculture, cultivating water-dependant plants with grains similar to rice and chikpeas. It is known that they had common myths and legends with, at least, the Azingurts and the Malacennans.
The other two species, the Tsirvis and the Mareugas, played lesser but still determining roles within the native civilization, and were considered inferior species by the other three. Even less is known about them by modern scholars, and their cultural roles and social dynamics are still not well understood, but it's possible that at least the Mareugas served as slaves to the Azingurts who, being a warrior species, didn't devote much time to agriculture, cattle, arts, and crafts.
The Tsirvis lived in rugged mountain areas, and had less contact with the other four species, at least until the Arrival and the start of the Dark Wars. Like the Sovis, they were quadrupedal, and there are traces that both species were genetically related, although how and when they started to diverge is still a mystery. Unlike their genetic cousins, though, the Tsirvis only walked on four legs, although they had one thumb in each extremity, which made them skilled workers and warriors.
The dolmens and menhirs that populate the Arbrean landscape
were built by the five native species.
Dark Age
(about 2,124 years)
The Dark Age covers the time between the arrival of humans to Aerglè, and, more especifically, the continent of Arbrea (an episode known as "The Arrival"), and the formal foundation of Dhammarat as we know it. From our point of view, it's an obscure time because little written documents from that time have survived, and much of what is known relies on legends and archaeology. This age was marked by the Dark Wars, the long-standing conflict between humans, on one side, and the native peoples, on the other.
1 According to myth and legend, the first humans arrive at Arbrea after a large space trade caravan was forced to do an emergency landing on planet Aerglè. The landing was somewhat catastrophic, and the survivors, unable to restart the route, recovered soon and established in what would become the Dhammaratian lands.
Legends tell of the first encounters with the native sentient species soon after the establishment. The first clashes took place early, with some minor battles. The Azingurts were the most belligerent of the five species, while the Malacennans were cautious.
1 to c. 100 Not much remains from these pioneer peoples, since their numbers diminished greatly in the following centuries, in great part due to the difficulties to survive in a new world with an ending ice age, and all the climatic and geographic changes that event represented. The extinction of mega-fauna during that period may be related to those humans hunting animals to feed themselves, although the mega-fauna was already being hunted by the Azingurts in the previous centuries.
c. 100 to c. 600 Humans rapidly expand throughout southern Dhammarat, leaving the Sarrena vastitude, which is increasingly transforming into a dry desert.
In the following centuries archaic Aciraneans develop a semi-pastoral civilization in western Dhammarat; they live in fortified communities and have societies with a tribal organization. Legends and the archaeological record tell us of good relations between the humans and the native sentient species, specially with the Malacennans, from which the humans adopt the megalithic art and technology to build their own fortified towns.
c. 600 to 1392 (792 years) After a period of fragile coexistence, the Dark Wars abruptly erupt. The real reasons are unknown, but legends and myth tell about the betrayal of the Azingurts, leaded by their king, Meòlidas. Very few writings survive from this warring period, all of them being carved on stone menhirs and rock walls.
In the final decades of the war, the Azingurts become extinct and, after the conflict, the Mareugas are enslaved by the victorious humans. The Tsirvis, also formidable warriors, almost as brave as the Azingurts, are enclosed in native reserves.
Archaic Age
(3,432 years)
c. 2200 to 2800 Construction of small stone circles (Eleutean: jèrgols vers zinants "circles of the giants") south of the Glavi region. Last of the dolmens are erected now.
c. 3000 Last vestiges of the megalithic tradition in the Ruvaean lands come to an end during the arrival of the Bronze Peoples, native to the Sarrena, and the Trader Seas, which gives birth to the Ruvai's Bronze Age. Bronze Peoples occupy the fertile plains and valleys, mixing with the Megalithic peoples or pushing them to the north, towards the Glavi valleys.
c. 3320 Destruction of Aragulya, the only known Megalithic pre-Bronze urban settlement in what is now Ruvai Barnusa.
c. 3500 Definitive ending of the Ruvaean Megalithic civilization. First truly centralized states in the region.
c. 4200 Eastern tribes, native to the Offecne Plains and the Vercenaean Mountains, and armed with bronze and iron technologies, migrate into central Dhammarat, both subduing and mingling with existing tribes.
c. 5000 That ethnic mingling is complete with the emergence of the Dhammaratic ethnic group, which makes the majority of the peoples inhabiting Central Dhammarat. The Tsaari faith, an animistic religion centered around the cult of the marats, and precursor of the modern Dhammaratian religion, is believed to have been an innovation of these peoples.
Ancient Age
(721 years)
The Ancient Age represents the birth, expansion, and consolidation of the Dhammaratian Empire, centred on the city of Ruvai Barnusa, the imperial capital. The empire, in its maximum extension, encompassed all the Dhammaratian lands, as well as the Sea of Hyebernes and the island of Feàmich, on the extreme north; the Trade Seas, the northern edge of the Sarrena desert, and the Anthologicat, to the south; the lands beyond the Offecne Plains, including the Vercenaean Mountains and some parts of the Transvercenaean Lands, to the east. There were trade maritime routes with some nations and petty kingdoms towards the west. The age also covers the obscure decades right after the empire's downfall after the Dhaula Varlauve.
5615 First notice of Anthologica as a urban settlement, then known as Mhuse. It will become an important trading centre in the following centuries.
5784 In Mhuse, empress Eathonie II founds the largest library ever known in Aerglè, and gives the city the title of «Anthologica», for being the prime archiving and documenting centre of the empire. That title will set among the natives and, eventually, will become the name with which the city is known centuries later.
6192 to 6225 The War of the Dhammaratian Succession.
6222 Emperor dies of fevers, during the long siege of Mharaona.
6223 The Dhaula Varlauve.
6224 In the last days of winter, Rhomaz Rhuszam, usurper of the throne during the war, flees the realm after a popular revolt.
6225 By the Pact and Truce of Sivellis, the Dhammaratian Empire is dismantled and succeeded by the Realm of Dhammarat. Greater autonomy is given to many regions and provinces, and some cities and lands become independant from the former empire and its successor state. Ahuddan Atthunsa IX, the last heir of the Atthunsa dynasty, is crowned king of Dhammarat; the imperial nomenclature is kept.
c. 6230 to 6300 Due to the widespread devastation caused by the Dhaula Varlauve, thousands of peoples migrate far from the Dhammaratian Lands.
c. 6270 Mhuse recovers its sovereingty after the Dhaula Varlauve.
6277 In this date, many historians place the definitve ending of the Ancient Age and the beginning of the Median Age.