History of Lugida
The recorded history of Lugida dates back from around the 2nd millennium BCE, under the Hallyn dynasty, although historical records from the Tigrate dynasty are known to describe kingdoms as far as the Kylon, which dates back from around 2100 BCE. The historical records also mentioned Lugida as a part of Qonklaks' Khon dynasty on about 2500 BCE, which has a profound influence on the Lugid culture in general. Lugida's history has been shaped by the almost-constant contact with the neighboring dynasties, the flourishing agriculture, the rise of Avism, and the significance of Lugida as a historical thalassocracy.
Prehistory
Neolithic
Earliest known traces of anatomically modern humans in Lugida date back from as far as 35,000 BCE, originating from the first Soltennan migration that took place from 50,000 BCE. Ancient people in Lugida show genetic relations with early Qonklese, Xynder, and most notably Riyan peoples. Delian peoples dating back from 15,000 BCE form the earliest predecessors of modern Lugids, Riyans, and some Kads, later diverging into Ancient Riyans and Rietic people on around 10,000 BCE. The latter comprise the most and the earliest of indigenous Lugid peoples. Rietic people would slowly diverge in terms of culture and genetic makeup into two different ethnic groups, the Lenthirites and the Melunes, respectively covering the areas south and north of the Hetaf River. Both comprise the majority of the modern Lugid population at 75%.
Agriculture in Lugida dates back to around 6,000 BCE. It gave rise to the Gapi culture whose artifacts are concentrated in the Grithen site in Mairastra. Over the course of the Neolithic era, the basin became the center to ancient Lugid cultures. At roughly the same period is the arrival of Ancient Xynderian people in the southern coast of Lugida. They assimilated with the Lenthiri people to form the Kitrians. They encompass much of the southern coast of Lugida including parts of the Amiyant basin, bearing less genetic similarities to the other two ethnic groups and is still considered as a Rietic ethnic group.
Bronze Age
Scientific reports vary on the matter of Lugida's earliest permanently inhabited settlements. Dating back to the 3rd millennium BCE, the (something) site near Mairastra is cited the most as such, evidenced by its greater abundance of Bronze Age artifacts. Such artifacts are also found in slightly lower quantities near Mitrenir, Deshan, Nizen, and Sharum, originating from almost the same period. Sharum is theorized in one journal as the site of Lugida's earliest permanent settlement that was razed in the 7th century BCE. This theory is disputed primarily due to lack of evidence of razing.
Ngerupic people entered Lugida in the 2nd millennium BCE and assimilated with the Kitrians, introducing knowledge of more advanced fishing methods and longer-distance sailing to the region.
Ancient era
Meryth dynasty
Bronze Age in Lugida began with the Meryth dynasty whose territory comprises the Hetaf River basin around the modern-day cities of Mairastra and Lazara. The dynasty was recorded in Before Gamilami, a record of ancient history written in 331 CE, in which the dynasty was described as a kingdom founded in the 19th century BCE by the legendary emperor Meryth, from which the dynasty was named. Favorable agricultural conditions of the Hetaf River basin allowed the dynasty to flourish through agriculture. Academic circles deem the dynasty as mythical before archaeological evidence was found in 2010, at the Kailife site near Mairastra, where statues depicting Meryth along with other Meryth dynasty emperors was found, with characteristics matching descriptions in Before Gamilami. Additionally, radiocarbon dating traced much of these artifacts to around 1500 BCE.
Before Gamilami additionally described Meryth dynasty to be almost similar to that of Qonklaks' first dynasty, Hon, in which the monarchy follows the Mandate of Heaven. In its dynastic Lugida equivalent Mandate of Gerge, the emperor has the absolute power to rule as the Son of the sky god Gerge. However, unjust rulers are fated by Gerge to be overthrown, legitimating revolution as means to remove that ruler.
Meryth dynasty continued its rule with little to none territorial expansion outside the Hetaf River basin. After a famine in the 14th century BCE which was caused by the Hetaf River floods, which severed the dynasty's agricultural supplies, Meryth dynasty was overthrown and replaced by the Tigrate dynasty under the leadership of Emperor Tirgo, while adopting some of Meryth doctrines including the Mandate of Gerge. Consequently, inhabitants of the dynasty were forced to move out of the area in an event known as the Meryth migrations. Areas such as modern-day Deshan and Melunebet were populated, starting a period of separate Lenthirite and Melune dynasties.
Tigrate dynasty
Nellia dynasty
Antiquity
Altha Dynasty
Letsatian period
Letsatian Empire began its expansion into Miraria in 25 CE, and contact with Altha Dynasty occurred on 64 CE. The Empire immediately declared war on Altha Dynasty as part of the Empire's expansion. Technologically superseded, Altha quickly surrendered its coastal area to Letsatia, thus setting foothold for the Empire to exercise influence in Lugida. Letsatia designated Kitlimis as one of their provincial capitals.
Qonklaks' Lou Dynasty sent an envoy in 84 CE to Altha Dynasty to discuss the matter of Letsatia, and informing that Lou is concerned about the empire superseding Lou's influence and power in southern Soltenna, the region influenced the most by Lou. Lou envoys discussing the same matter and concern were also sent to other Soltennan dynasties, ultimately leading the coalition of Soltennan dynasties including Altha to a joint war against the Letsatian Empire in 90 CE. The area near Kitlimis, Xynderland's islands, and the southern coast of modern-day Zaizung become the most intense battlefronts. Initial military progress goes in favor of the dynasties, later to stagnate throughout the war for both sides. The dynasties ultimately exhausted both their military resources and treasuries leading to internal conflicts across the dynasties that led to a victory for Letsatia. Altha Dynasty collapsed at this point, marking the end of Lugida's dynastic era.
This period saw greater advancements in technology, military, and economy of Lugida at the time, which are brought in from Letsatia. Ekuosian influence flourished and superseded Qonklese influence in Lugida for the extent of the Letsatian period. Iovism entered Lugida on around 130 CE, where it was met with severe resistance from most Lugid people. Its branch known as Avism is then founded, integrating elements from Lugid culture at the time to make it more accepted by Lugid people. Avism then spread across the Lugid portion of Letsatia and parts of the former Altha dynasty, propagating Ekuosian influence into inner areas of Lugida.
(someone) began to rose to power in 180 CE, proclaiming the Avite Empire in Kitlimis. Letsatia at the time was crippled by Peace of Galadrosia a year earlier, which sparked resistance against Letsatia across Soltenna and motivated (someone) to lead the Lugid resistance. Ultimately, Avite Empire took over much of the Lugid portion of Letsatia and also conquered inland, covering much of modern-day Lugida and ending Lugida's Letsatian period.