Lazeian Empire
The Lazeian Empire (326 BCE - 1187) was the longest-lasting empire in the history of Ilethes. It was so named after its latter capital city of Lazea, but did not in fact have an independent autonym, being known only by its dynastic titles. Dethrian records of erevan Lazeaan eminothauris ("the most beautiful empire of Lazeaia (sic)") first appeared around 64 BCE, but evidence of contact survives from the middle Agia Dynasty.
Kingdom of Ispheia
From city to kingdom
- Main article: Ispheia (kingdom)
The roots of the Lazeian Empire lie in the city of Isphea, which became its very first capital. Beginning as an alliance of an assortment of Areth tribes city-state
From Isphea to Lazea
Dynasties of the Lazeian Empire
Agia dynasty (326 BCIE—103 CIE)
The first dynasty of the Lazeian Empire, the Agia dynasty (['agia]) was reputed for its stabilising influence on the empire even as it expanded. With a strong familial tradition of erudition, impartiality and benevolence that ensured the competency of each imperial heir, the Agias managed to sustain their rule for more than 400 years, during which the Lazeian empire firmly established trade as its raison d'être, founding trading posts across Arophania and much of Marcasia, forging trading relations, blocs and alliances with nations it encountered.
Dadorean interlude (1 CIE—3 CIE)
The Dadorean interlude was a shortlived insurgency in Agia 326 (1 CIE) following the chaos resulting from the catastrophic eruption of Mount Eramena. Seen by later historians as merely an opportunistic attempt at gaining power, the insurgent movement initially made significant gains, wresting control of large swathes of northeastern Cadaeria and briefly forcing the Agia House from power, but faltered after barely two years as infighting broke out among the rebels, dissatisfaction turned many against them, and the Agias rapidly recovered their influence and reestablished control.
Balathias dynasty (103 CIE—221 CIE)
The Balathias dynasty was known for its militarism and expansionism, especially compared to the Agia before it.
Ospedia dynasty (221 CIE—281 CIE)
Aphoiros dynasty (281 CIE—443 CIE)
Neira dynasty (443 CIE—486 CIE)
The shortlived Neira dynasty presided over a series of conflicts in a civil war originating in the late Aphoiros.
Equora dynasty (480 CIE—907 CIE)
The Equora dynasty marked the apex of the Lazeian Empire, during which it became the largest and richest state in the world, with trading posts, colonies and tributary and vassal states stretching from Eresphria to Istheusia. At its height, the empire controlled all of Arophania, three-quarters of Marcasia, the southern quarter of Eresphria and much of the Istheusian west coast, dominating the seas and trade routes in between. The language of the middle three hundred years of this dynasty is what is commonly known today as Classical Arithide, and it was during those three hundred golden years that most of the enduring works of Arithide literature were penned, and the expressive possibilities of the language greatly extended.
Hennem dynasty (908 CIE—969 CIE)
Canart dynasty (969 CIE—1024 CIE)
Thorain dynasty (1024 CIE—1187 CIE)
The last dynasty of the Lazeian Empire, the Thorain was, throughout its existence, plagued by internal rift, external threats and a general economic malaise that was exacerbated in its later years by severe famines owing to years of drought.
Collapse and aftermath
- Main article: Mediaeval Age (Ilethes)
The collapse of the Thorain dynasty was initially to have led directly to the establishment of a replacement dynasty, led by the rebels, but with the betrayal of the Andu and their capture of Isphea and Lazea, the rebels swiftly descended into infighting and split into multiple factions, each of which established its own kingdom in various parts of the former imperial territory, kickstarting the Mediaeval Age in the West. A shortlived alliance, or union, existed among the feudal states for a time in opposition to the Andu, but once the two historical capitals were recaptured the concord quickly broke down once more, and Arithia would not be reunified until the conquests of Robecos Tivoui.
