Update 0: 2000 B.C.E
1762 Hebraic Calendar (OOC: If you come up with a calendar, the date gets displayed in it along with Hebraic and Roman)
In the beginning G-d created heaven and earth….G-d saw all that he had made, and behold, it was very good. It was evening and it was morning, the sixth day.
-Beresheet (Genesis) 1:1….Beresheet (Genesis) 1:31
We pick up the story approximately 1,762 years later, in the year 1,762 of the Hebrew calendar, and 2,000 BCE of the Roman calendar. The horse has recently been domesticated on the steppes and quickly spread throughout Eurasia and the Bronze Age is in full swing. As we look across the globe, our first stop is China.
Though civilization did not reach here as fast as it did elsewhere, China is already home to five competing kingdoms. Lu, Shang, Zhou, Yangzhou, and Panlongcheng compete for the coveted title of “Middle Kingdom”. Though the Zhou hold it for now, old as they are, the other nations are quickly biting there heals. Likewise, the peoples of Lu, Shang, and Panlongcheng must constantly fight off barbarian hoards. Granted those of Lu are Chinese themselves and those of Panlongcheng do not even know how to ride a horse, these barbarian attacks will be severely damaging if not taken care of.
Moving across the lofty Himalayas and barren Tibetan Plateau we find the nation of Mohenjo-Daro in the fertile river valley of the Indus. Thriving off of the river’s life giving strength, they have grown to worship it, along with many other forces in nature. This worship has become the focus of their lives, and a theocracy has developed. But with the Aryans constantly pushing in from the west, how long can this last?
Further west, passing over Iran and Mesopotamia for now, we come to Egypt, the birthplace of civilization (OOC: Remember, this is an alternate world). Along the banks of the graceful Nile, the first civilization rose in Memphis. Known as ‘Egyptara’, for the entire area is known as ‘Egypt’, the people rule over a powerful farming nation with strong trading potential. Further south we come to Thebes, center of the Lower Egyptian monarchy. Though vibrant now and full of life, they are over extending their political control while their capital becomes overcrowded. If they don’t find a solution soon, they might face some serious problems. Down below the two Egypts lays the Nubian kingdom of Kush. A gateway between Africa and the Mediterranean, Kush can easily become an important trade center, if only it manages to keep its head out of the wars that will likely be sparked to its north and south.
Speaking of the south, two nations have formed in the highlands of Ethiopia. One is a theocratic monarchy based on trade while the other is a militaristic despotism eager to find new lands to conquer. Addis Ababa, founded in central Ethiopia, is a great city by the standards of the surroundings and time. Held together by the strength of its ruler, Addis Ababa is always on the edge. To the north, Aksum has been founded by a mix of Israelites and Ethiopians. Jewish in religion, Ethiopian in culture, it is a unique society. They seek only to have peace, but as they expand to take control of the Red Sea trade routes, how long will this stay their policy?
Before returning east, we continue west one more time to the kingdom of Noko. Though isolated, they are located in a good area with access to the greatest of artists. In time, it is likely that they may discover that there land holds more resources than taro routes and sweet potatoes. If they can overcome the problems of isolation, they can establish a truly thriving nation.
As we return east to Mesopotamia, we must take notice first of the vibrant nation that is Phoenicia. Once a collection of independent city states, the kings of Tyre, who happened to all be named Tyre, united the city states in a grand civil war (OOC: I may end up writing a story on the wars, but I may not, just though I would let you know). Though the Phoenicians lost their western colonies in the process, they are now united as one force, possibly the strongest force in the Mediterranean. With ships plowing the Eastern Mediterranean almost constantly, it is no wonder that the Phoenician Empire is known as “The Empire with More Ships than Men”.
These western colonies that split off would be Marseilles (OOC: I know this is the Provençal name, but I like it, so blah) and Carthage. Of the two, Carthage seems to have the upper hand, but if Marseilles perseveres, she could easily become a major power in her own right.
Confusing the situation in the region is the presence of Rome. An Italian city state, they have recently risen in prominence. Though now they do not challenge Carthage or Marseilles, both stand in the way of future Roman expansion. Another problem would be the Italian tribes that pound away incessantly.
Further east in the Balkans, four nations have formed. Sparta and Athens have taken their spots as the Greek nations, civilized in every sense. They are also the yin and yang of the Greek world. Athens is an education focused naval power while Sparta is a militarily focused land power. Unfortunately for Athens, if a war does occur, Sparta has the obvious advantage with a land invasion being a very direct way of taking on Athens. To the north of these ‘civilized’ nations lie the rather peaceful, in comparison, nations of Macedonia and Thrace. Both are Greco-Slavic nations on the fringes of civilization trying to establish themselves as major powers. Though Macedon seems to have the upper hand at the moment, with its position on the Aegean and all, Byzantium (the Thracian capital) is uniquely located and, with a strong navy, easily defendable from the Hittites in the east and, with a strong army, from the various tribes to the west.
Once again, we make a detour, this time north, to the wooded lands of Russia where the Slavs have formed the Knyazdom (Principality) of Mnogobor'e. Brought together by the common need to protect themselves form the barbaric outsiders, they are a very recently founded nation and will need much clever guidance to lead them to prosperity against the odds. The only advantages they have are an over abundance of furs and brave men.
Back to the south, the nation of Teutonia must be taken note of. Though only a minor nation of Germans surrounded by Celts, they have thus far succeeded in creating a relatively powerful nation. Among the rivers of Gaul, the Teutons seem to be making themselves into a nice little pocket of civlization as we continue on our way.
Unfortunately, we have to take a final detour in our ittle tour of the world to visit the Sabaens. An interesting people, they live in the far south of Yemen and are in the unique poition of controling the largest supply of incense around, but not having anyone to sell those incenses to at the moment. With a strong naval tradition, they may well come into conflict with the Aksumites soon enough.
Finally reaching Mesopotamia, we find three distinct, yet very similar, civilizations. All seem to be simply different takes on the same one. Sumeria in the south, heavily influenced by the Israelites to the west, is the religious version. Babylon in the middle is the education focused version. And the Assyrians to the north, under pressure from the massive amounts of barbarians who insist on invading constantly, are the militaristic version. These three nations all have to face the threat of barbarian invasion, and each other, and it will be very interesting to see how they will each face the opposition posed to them.
And last of all is Israel. Founded by slaves fleeing the oppression they found in Egypt, they have established their kingdom in Canaan on the Eastern Mediterranean coast. Their religion of Judaism and their concept of monotheism have already greatly influenced those around them. Though small, they seem to be a wild card in the history of this world.