CivIV Diplogame:Clash of Empires
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- Start date
Jehoshua
Catholic
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2009
- Messages
- 7,248
The Saga of the Hellenes: The Founding of the Empire of Hellas
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The histories of our great empire do not speak much of its founding, what little is known is from stone tablets crudely carved found at an archaeological site amongst the farms of attica, and from later stories and tales written centuries after the founding of Athens.
From what our scholars gather, our ancient ancestors were led by an old chieftain named Georgios Papandreou who fell out of favour with the people. As the stone tablets show there was much disorder and rioting in the small pre-city settlement of the greek people, this being born out by smashed pots, and intriguingly enough glass bottles filled with what has been found to be petrochemical agents. Furthermore the rioting seems to have begun, if we believe the stories due to austerity measures taken after a particularly bad winter, destroying the local gift economy. Anyways the rioting faction seems to have been led by a man named Christos Belalis, who it seems succeeded in ousting Papandreou in a revolution.
Ah, you say, our first leader was not called Christos, indeed as we are all aware this state of affairs did not last long, the antagonisms and internal contradictions of demokratos, mob rule, were such that the ancestors inevitably fell in short order under the rule of a strong, aristocratic leader who could bring order to the tribe. A leader who's memory is still strong today, the founder of our civilisation. I am of course talking of the great Alexander the First. But before we go sing his praises let us not forget that the forces of chaos were still strong after his immediate rise to power, and to ensure he didn't go the way of Papandreou he was forced to take this Christos on as an advisor. Perhaps this explains why Athens is established to the east of this ancient archaeological site rather than in the location of what was clearly already a semi-permanent settlement.
~ excerpt from a lecture of Pr Demetrios Papadakis: Faculty of Arts, University of Athens
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An artistic rendering of the fabled Georgios Papandreou
-
-
The histories of our great empire do not speak much of its founding, what little is known is from stone tablets crudely carved found at an archaeological site amongst the farms of attica, and from later stories and tales written centuries after the founding of Athens.
From what our scholars gather, our ancient ancestors were led by an old chieftain named Georgios Papandreou who fell out of favour with the people. As the stone tablets show there was much disorder and rioting in the small pre-city settlement of the greek people, this being born out by smashed pots, and intriguingly enough glass bottles filled with what has been found to be petrochemical agents. Furthermore the rioting seems to have begun, if we believe the stories due to austerity measures taken after a particularly bad winter, destroying the local gift economy. Anyways the rioting faction seems to have been led by a man named Christos Belalis, who it seems succeeded in ousting Papandreou in a revolution.
Ah, you say, our first leader was not called Christos, indeed as we are all aware this state of affairs did not last long, the antagonisms and internal contradictions of demokratos, mob rule, were such that the ancestors inevitably fell in short order under the rule of a strong, aristocratic leader who could bring order to the tribe. A leader who's memory is still strong today, the founder of our civilisation. I am of course talking of the great Alexander the First. But before we go sing his praises let us not forget that the forces of chaos were still strong after his immediate rise to power, and to ensure he didn't go the way of Papandreou he was forced to take this Christos on as an advisor. Perhaps this explains why Athens is established to the east of this ancient archaeological site rather than in the location of what was clearly already a semi-permanent settlement.
~ excerpt from a lecture of Pr Demetrios Papadakis: Faculty of Arts, University of Athens
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An artistic rendering of the fabled Georgios Papandreou
-
Spoiler :
dot80
Emperor
From time immemorial the Celts lived a nomadic life roaming the plains of Prarie de Gaul for centuries. After years of wandering they decided to settle down and found their first city, Gaul, along the Seine. The city soon became the center of the local economy and culture. It was in a prime location. Antelope frolicked to the east along the river, and to the north sheep could be found lethargically grazing in the wild grasses. Land along the river was fertile, and the people even started to develop a way to grow their food in surplus. This was a good home, and would be the start of a civilization to last the centuries.
mayor
Heart & Mind
as this is the very first map I ever made and I'm moderatly proud of it I'm posting it now while my RP isn't done yet.... I'll hope to get that done tomorrow.
Spoiler :
Tambien
Theseus, Duke of Athens
My RP will be up as soon as I get the turn.
Tambien
Theseus, Duke of Athens
Little is known of the begginings of Babylon, other than the legends which its people have passed down for generations. Tyathephos is said to have been a great lion, with giant wings. Statues of Tyathephos have been found all over the lands of ancient Babylon which stylize this great beast. They are always almost made of white marble. The folk tales passed down tell that Tyathephos came to the People in their time of need. They had been pushed out their ancestral lands by the demons of the god Rialisti. Rialisti is said to have been capable of causing earthquakes when he walked. As the tale says, Rialisti and his pack of demons had been destroying all of the former homes of the people, and Cheif Sirideu began to lead his people away from their homes. However, Rialisti and his demons followed them, forcing them to keep moving each time they thought they had found a new home. During one of these attacks, Cheif Sirideu was killed by Rialisti. The People were lost, alone, and hungry. They had no idea what to do. It is said that one day they looked up at the sky, and prayed to the gods to send them a saviour. They were suprised when, out of the clouds, flew a great white beast, with wings and fur that shone in the sunlight. Tyathephos is said to have told the People, "Follow me, for I am Tyathephos and the gods have answered your prayers." The People then followed Tyathephos all the way to the northern areas of the world, where they established Babylon, still the capital of Babylon to this day. After guiding the People to Babylon, Tyathephos is said to have left. However, there were still reports of sightings of Tyathephos out in the forest surrounding the new town. To this day, followers of Tyathephos believe that he is out there, protecting Babylon from all those who seek to destroy it.
I believe this legend is why the Babylonian people have such a high confidence in themselves. Digs near the city of....
~A Short and Concise History of Ancient Babylon by Phisur Sida
~Mural of the Path to Babylon in the Ancient King's Hall found by Jaks Expedition
christos200
Never tell me the odds
The Saga of the Hellenes: The Founding of the Empire of Hellas
-
The histories of our great empire do not speak much of its founding, what little is known is from stone tablets crudely carved found at an archaeological site amongst the farms of attica, and from later stories and tales written centuries after the founding of Athens.
From what our scholars gather, our ancient ancestors were led by an old chieftain named Georgios Papandreou who fell out of favour with the people. As the stone tablets show there was much disorder and rioting in the small pre-city settlement of the greek people, this being born out by smashed pots, and intriguingly enough glass bottles filled with what has been found to be petrochemical agents. Furthermore the rioting seems to have begun, if we believe the stories due to austerity measures taken after a particularly bad winter, destroying the local gift economy. Anyways the rioting faction seems to have been led by a man named Christos Belalis, who it seems succeeded in ousting Papandreou in a revolution.
Ah, you say, our first leader was not called Christos, indeed as we are all aware this state of affairs did not last long, the antagonisms and internal contradictions of demokratos, mob rule, were such that the ancestors inevitably fell in short order under the rule of a strong, aristocratic leader who could bring order to the tribe. A leader who's memory is still strong today, the founder of our civilisation. I am of course talking of the great Alexander the First. But before we go sing his praises let us not forget that the forces of chaos were still strong after his immediate rise to power, and to ensure he didn't go the way of Papandreou he was forced to take this Christos on as an advisor. Perhaps this explains why Athens is established to the east of this ancient archaeological site rather than in the location of what was clearly already a semi-permanent settlement.
~ excerpt from a lecture of Pr Demetrios Papadakis: Faculty of Arts, University of Athens
-
An artistic rendering of the fabled Georgios Papandreou
-
Spoiler :
Jehoshua
Catholic
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2009
- Messages
- 7,248
The End of the Journey, and a New Beginning
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The nation of hellas stood before the great forests, enamoured with the shade of the trees, terrified of the dancing shadows withing. For the hellenes had travelled from the ancient plains of attica to the west, and after many days of hard trekking they had made their way to the edge of a primal forest, where shadows danced in ancient boughs in the embrace of two swift flowing rivers, and a lake, glimmering in the morning light. Christos Belalis scowled at this serene vista and whispered to Alexander
My King, surely we will not settle there! is it not superior to settle on a defensive hill, or perhaps on the plains from whence we came.
Alexander replied.
"No it is not, this place shall make a fine dwelling place for our tribe"
"But Alexander, will not our people suffer the privations of the beasts within, and is it not easy for the barbarians to hide in the forests to attack our people from ambush."
"do not be concerned Christos who is called Belalis, look around you, look at the twin rivers and the lake to our north, from all sides this place is isolated by water, bar the thin necks of land between the lake and the two rivers of course. All who would dare to attack in force would be required to cross the rivers, weakening their attack or otherwise face a chokepoint. I also add that crossing the lake would be impossible for any invading army due to the mires that ring its shores."
"But Lord, the forest, it, it disturbs me, the trees are old, things older than both of us reside in this place"
"Do you believe in the stories old wives tell their children at night... do you fear the shadows? Do you not know that shadow is but the mere absence of light! Either way I have bigger plans than a mere encampment for this place, and the trees shall provide just the material to make my vision a reality."
"what vision would this be my liege"
"Civilisation"
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The nation of hellas stood before the great forests, enamoured with the shade of the trees, terrified of the dancing shadows withing. For the hellenes had travelled from the ancient plains of attica to the west, and after many days of hard trekking they had made their way to the edge of a primal forest, where shadows danced in ancient boughs in the embrace of two swift flowing rivers, and a lake, glimmering in the morning light. Christos Belalis scowled at this serene vista and whispered to Alexander
My King, surely we will not settle there! is it not superior to settle on a defensive hill, or perhaps on the plains from whence we came.
Alexander replied.
"No it is not, this place shall make a fine dwelling place for our tribe"
"But Alexander, will not our people suffer the privations of the beasts within, and is it not easy for the barbarians to hide in the forests to attack our people from ambush."
"do not be concerned Christos who is called Belalis, look around you, look at the twin rivers and the lake to our north, from all sides this place is isolated by water, bar the thin necks of land between the lake and the two rivers of course. All who would dare to attack in force would be required to cross the rivers, weakening their attack or otherwise face a chokepoint. I also add that crossing the lake would be impossible for any invading army due to the mires that ring its shores."
"But Lord, the forest, it, it disturbs me, the trees are old, things older than both of us reside in this place"
"Do you believe in the stories old wives tell their children at night... do you fear the shadows? Do you not know that shadow is but the mere absence of light! Either way I have bigger plans than a mere encampment for this place, and the trees shall provide just the material to make my vision a reality."
"what vision would this be my liege"
"Civilisation"
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dot80
Emperor
If anyone wishes to join we are in need of a permanent sub.
Danger Bird
gravity's angel
Spoiler :
The people know that they live on the edge of a great continent, and at the edge of a great sea. Great, by which they mean, they do not know the end of of the continent, they do not know the end of the sea. These things are beyond their knowing.
They call the continent America. They call the sea the American Sea. The people themselves do not have a name, nor does their race, but since everything they know is America, they call themselves Americans.
They have no leader, no vision. But they are tired. They settle.
Optical
The Fall of the Eleventh
Pull Like your Life Depends on It
They were the Vikings.
What did they know? They'd been wandering for hundreds, perhaps thousands of seasons as the sun wheeled across the sky. The sky had been ordinary the whole time - filled with clouds in the day, stars at night, just as one would expect of the sky. But that had all changed.
The sky had changed. The forests had changed.
In the year Ten Sixty-Six since the Gathering, as summer baked the ground and improved the moods of the small thousand-strong Viking tribe, a flying light was sent across the sky. The days had been bright, but suddenly one could not venture outside without being blinded.
And everything was altered, in one instant.
To the last man, the Vikings had never seen the ocean. All they knew of water had been the small rivulets that fed the forests that were the Viking heartland. But suddenly, all of them had a strong desire to see that vast expanse of blue.
They called the settlement Trondheim, far from the sea that the Viking people desired. For now, the forests would have to do.
The song ran through all of their heads. For all they knew, it would never leave. It was an integral part of their lives.
Heave, ho. Pull together...
They were the Vikings.
What did they know? They'd been wandering for hundreds, perhaps thousands of seasons as the sun wheeled across the sky. The sky had been ordinary the whole time - filled with clouds in the day, stars at night, just as one would expect of the sky. But that had all changed.
The sky had changed. The forests had changed.
In the year Ten Sixty-Six since the Gathering, as summer baked the ground and improved the moods of the small thousand-strong Viking tribe, a flying light was sent across the sky. The days had been bright, but suddenly one could not venture outside without being blinded.
And everything was altered, in one instant.
To the last man, the Vikings had never seen the ocean. All they knew of water had been the small rivulets that fed the forests that were the Viking heartland. But suddenly, all of them had a strong desire to see that vast expanse of blue.
They called the settlement Trondheim, far from the sea that the Viking people desired. For now, the forests would have to do.
The song ran through all of their heads. For all they knew, it would never leave. It was an integral part of their lives.
Heave, ho. Pull together...
Optical
The Fall of the Eleventh
OOC: RP. remember? 
I just SIPed, and as a rule I'm no fan of coast tiles anyway (even as a Fin leader)
I just SIPed, and as a rule I'm no fan of coast tiles anyway (even as a Fin leader)
Danger Bird
gravity's angel
Prologue
They had wandered far, and were scraping the bottom of their empty sacks for the last kernels of corn, but a curious scent was calling them on. It was like the scent of their loved ones, or of a deer in flight, but somehow different, wider. Soon they also felt the change in the light, as if their forest world was illuminated not only from above but from below. And the sound, a whisper, then a rough sigh, then a dull roar. And suddenly they were upon it. They squinted at its blinding vastness. It was horrifying. The bravest ones snuck up to the shore and let the waves touch their feet, and scampered back. But they resolved to travel along the side of it, to see where it ended. After a day and a night it did not end, and the older men warned that they perceived no life in this place. The pleasant breezes of their home were here replaced with the blistering wind that whipped up the surf, and it made their lips crack. They must leave at once before they were cursed by Tezcatlipoca, for surely this was his home.
From the story "Danger Bird and Quetzalcoatl"
Danger Bird knew that his people preferred the security of their home in the forests between the lakes, they loved the dappled sunlight, the sweet waters that refreshed their souls, the birdsong that quickened their steps. There was food: the corn stalks grew plentiful in the clearings and the wild cattle were not hard to run down. And this was where his ancestor, the Imacacitototl (the Danger Bird) had always lived and prospered, and now its spirit had come to rest on him, the man who stood straightest and strongest in his clan, the heir to his totem, the Danger Bird - god and leader at once. These forests and lakes were part of his spirit.
They moved in circles in their blessed land. Each season when the rains stopped, Danger Bird would build a treehouse, and there commune with the other spirits of the natural world, on dreamflights with Sun and Night, with Rain, River, and Lightning, with Leaf and Quetzal, with Obsidian and Jaguar. His acolytes would gather each morning, to hear and then recite to others the tales of his encounters.
One night he was enticed to dreamfly downriver by a beautiful rainbow-feathered snake - Quetzalcoatl. He followed down to the edge of the sweet east lake, where at dawn the snake danced, and in the dance Danger Bird saw wondrous visions of arts and knowledge beyond his comprehension.
He awoke and told his people they must follow him.
They had wandered far, and were scraping the bottom of their empty sacks for the last kernels of corn, but a curious scent was calling them on. It was like the scent of their loved ones, or of a deer in flight, but somehow different, wider. Soon they also felt the change in the light, as if their forest world was illuminated not only from above but from below. And the sound, a whisper, then a rough sigh, then a dull roar. And suddenly they were upon it. They squinted at its blinding vastness. It was horrifying. The bravest ones snuck up to the shore and let the waves touch their feet, and scampered back. But they resolved to travel along the side of it, to see where it ended. After a day and a night it did not end, and the older men warned that they perceived no life in this place. The pleasant breezes of their home were here replaced with the blistering wind that whipped up the surf, and it made their lips crack. They must leave at once before they were cursed by Tezcatlipoca, for surely this was his home.
From the story "Danger Bird and Quetzalcoatl"
Danger Bird knew that his people preferred the security of their home in the forests between the lakes, they loved the dappled sunlight, the sweet waters that refreshed their souls, the birdsong that quickened their steps. There was food: the corn stalks grew plentiful in the clearings and the wild cattle were not hard to run down. And this was where his ancestor, the Imacacitototl (the Danger Bird) had always lived and prospered, and now its spirit had come to rest on him, the man who stood straightest and strongest in his clan, the heir to his totem, the Danger Bird - god and leader at once. These forests and lakes were part of his spirit.
They moved in circles in their blessed land. Each season when the rains stopped, Danger Bird would build a treehouse, and there commune with the other spirits of the natural world, on dreamflights with Sun and Night, with Rain, River, and Lightning, with Leaf and Quetzal, with Obsidian and Jaguar. His acolytes would gather each morning, to hear and then recite to others the tales of his encounters.
One night he was enticed to dreamfly downriver by a beautiful rainbow-feathered snake - Quetzalcoatl. He followed down to the edge of the sweet east lake, where at dawn the snake danced, and in the dance Danger Bird saw wondrous visions of arts and knowledge beyond his comprehension.
He awoke and told his people they must follow him.
Tambien
Theseus, Duke of Athens
It is known that in the years immediately following the founding of Babylon, little was done other than fish. Indeed, the abundant crab nearby, and the whales that could be seen further out are thought ot have been the genesis of the increase in funding for the sailing technology....
~A Short and Concise History of Ancient Babylon by Phisur Sida
dot80
Emperor
Peasant: Laighean
Laighean sighed, life in Gual was good, but dull. His family were traders who saw all the bounties of the land they inhabited. From the north they traded for sheep, from the east deer and river trout, and from the south a shiny metal, come to be called gold. But Laighean wasn't content to stay and live the boring life of a trader. He wanted adventure, he wanted to explore the great expanse of land that surrounded their plains. He heard tales from the traders that a strange sister tribe lived in an arid land to the south. In this land the ground was all dirt, but the river fed the surrounding area with all the powers of the river goddess, and for most the year a man could raise a harvest more bountiful than any grown in Gaul. Crop from there was always large, and tasty.
One day he finally decided he would set out for this fabled land. Following the river south with his small party, he walked for days. They passed over hills, and through forest, and all the time the air became warmer. Finally they came to the southern hills. These hills marked the end of Gaul, and the beginning of the wild-land. Soon the vegetation became sparse, and even the grass seemed to have trouble surviving. The air turned hot and dry. Finally they peaked a hill and saw the great ocean of sand and dirt. As far as the eye could see there was nothing. But the river. The river was nothing he had seen. The banks were filled with lush, healthy vegetation. He would bring reports back home, the people in Gaul had to know of this land. In his bones he could feel it, soon sons of Gaul would fill this land for generations to come.
Laighean sighed, life in Gual was good, but dull. His family were traders who saw all the bounties of the land they inhabited. From the north they traded for sheep, from the east deer and river trout, and from the south a shiny metal, come to be called gold. But Laighean wasn't content to stay and live the boring life of a trader. He wanted adventure, he wanted to explore the great expanse of land that surrounded their plains. He heard tales from the traders that a strange sister tribe lived in an arid land to the south. In this land the ground was all dirt, but the river fed the surrounding area with all the powers of the river goddess, and for most the year a man could raise a harvest more bountiful than any grown in Gaul. Crop from there was always large, and tasty.
One day he finally decided he would set out for this fabled land. Following the river south with his small party, he walked for days. They passed over hills, and through forest, and all the time the air became warmer. Finally they came to the southern hills. These hills marked the end of Gaul, and the beginning of the wild-land. Soon the vegetation became sparse, and even the grass seemed to have trouble surviving. The air turned hot and dry. Finally they peaked a hill and saw the great ocean of sand and dirt. As far as the eye could see there was nothing. But the river. The river was nothing he had seen. The banks were filled with lush, healthy vegetation. He would bring reports back home, the people in Gaul had to know of this land. In his bones he could feel it, soon sons of Gaul would fill this land for generations to come.
Spoiler :
Danger Bird
gravity's angel
The rooting of Cuahuitlan
The people of the Danger Bird reached the place of the dance of the Quetzalcoatl. The ground was warm and firm, lapped by soft waves of the East Sweet Lake - Tzopelicatl. The Danger Bird built his treehouse, and encouraged others to build their own, and many followed, but many continued to sleep each night under a different tree. Over time the children learned that the place of the Danger Bird's treehouse never moved. It was a place by which they could reckon their journeys, knowing how far they had gone and how far they had come.
And the tree was magnificent, the strongest branches in the forest for five days' paces in any direction. It was worthy of the worship that began to be whispered around it - the stories of the Danger Bird's wanderings with the spirits.
And so, as the children grew older and had their children, the number of treehouses in that place grew in number, and some built more solid dwellings on the ground, and the place Among the Trees - Cuahuitlan - took root.
Tezcatlipoca's choice
The branches of Cuahuitlan were draped with the bounty of their land, and there was peace. There had always been peace, save for the times when the keeper of the totem was selected. And the Danger Bird was growing old; he would soon be climbing the Tall Tree - Mehuacuahuitl - for his last night flight. As was the custom, a fight was arranged, and the straightest and strongest contestants were chosen, and fought with their hands and feet while the people looked on. When the last two were standing, a bolt from Tezcatlipoca cut the night, and toppled a tree onto the head of one of the fighters. He staggered and vowed to fight on, but was no longer landing hits on his opponent. After feeling eleven more hits he fell, bested, and was taken to the river. He had been the favourite.
The old Danger Bird took his flight that night, and the spirit flew to the newly chosen one.
Some friends of the man defeated by the lightning bolt of Tezcatlipoca, days later after his wounds were healed, brought him back to the fighting place and demanded a second bout, but the people said that the choice had been made, and pleaded with the man to accept the unknowable way of the spirit. Soon the defeated one left Cuahuitlan, with the band of friends that clung to him, saying darkly that they would return next season.
The people were shaken. The disharmony they were feeling was new. And there were reports from the the younger men that went out to wander and learn the land, farther each time, that the Defeated One and his band were often seen at a distance of three days' paces, and always fighting with rods and clubs.
The young Danger Bird considered this, and considered the safety of his people.
The people of the Danger Bird reached the place of the dance of the Quetzalcoatl. The ground was warm and firm, lapped by soft waves of the East Sweet Lake - Tzopelicatl. The Danger Bird built his treehouse, and encouraged others to build their own, and many followed, but many continued to sleep each night under a different tree. Over time the children learned that the place of the Danger Bird's treehouse never moved. It was a place by which they could reckon their journeys, knowing how far they had gone and how far they had come.
And the tree was magnificent, the strongest branches in the forest for five days' paces in any direction. It was worthy of the worship that began to be whispered around it - the stories of the Danger Bird's wanderings with the spirits.
And so, as the children grew older and had their children, the number of treehouses in that place grew in number, and some built more solid dwellings on the ground, and the place Among the Trees - Cuahuitlan - took root.
Tezcatlipoca's choice
The branches of Cuahuitlan were draped with the bounty of their land, and there was peace. There had always been peace, save for the times when the keeper of the totem was selected. And the Danger Bird was growing old; he would soon be climbing the Tall Tree - Mehuacuahuitl - for his last night flight. As was the custom, a fight was arranged, and the straightest and strongest contestants were chosen, and fought with their hands and feet while the people looked on. When the last two were standing, a bolt from Tezcatlipoca cut the night, and toppled a tree onto the head of one of the fighters. He staggered and vowed to fight on, but was no longer landing hits on his opponent. After feeling eleven more hits he fell, bested, and was taken to the river. He had been the favourite.
The old Danger Bird took his flight that night, and the spirit flew to the newly chosen one.
Some friends of the man defeated by the lightning bolt of Tezcatlipoca, days later after his wounds were healed, brought him back to the fighting place and demanded a second bout, but the people said that the choice had been made, and pleaded with the man to accept the unknowable way of the spirit. Soon the defeated one left Cuahuitlan, with the band of friends that clung to him, saying darkly that they would return next season.
The people were shaken. The disharmony they were feeling was new. And there were reports from the the younger men that went out to wander and learn the land, farther each time, that the Defeated One and his band were often seen at a distance of three days' paces, and always fighting with rods and clubs.
The young Danger Bird considered this, and considered the safety of his people.
Tambien
Theseus, Duke of Athens
OOC: What program/filter did you use to get that?
mayor
Heart & Mind
Danger Bird
gravity's angel
ooc: That's right. As mayor said.
