Archive:Pre-Imperial Alcia

Pre-Imperial Alcia refers to all of the history of Alcia prior to the formation of the Holy Xhovian Empire, and as such is a very broad term. Academically, it is commonly used for the periods from the Alcian Bronze Age (circa 2500 BCE) to the formation of the Empire (1134 CE).

Alcian Bronze Age

The Alcian Bronze Age is commonly held to have begun around 2500 BCE, by archaeological discoveries of bronze working in inner Xhodiar. Among the artifacts discovered from the pre-literate period (2500BCE - 970 BCE) are primarily weapons and tools. The development of bronzeworking spread north, but was still an economic boom for inner Xhodiar, and the other cultures in the tin and/or copper rich areas along the (NAME THE MOUNTAIN CHAIN) mountains and eastern coast. In this time, settlements began growing in size, and structure, especially Xiáz, which quickly grew to be the largest city in the region by 1000BCE. Around the same time we start to see the rise of the Eastern Xharmani cities, of Kassa, Viriz and Cos It was in or around 970 BCE however that writing was transmitted to Xiáz, via traders from Hemesh, keen to purchase their bronzeworks, and written records begin.

Xiáz Rising

Main Article: Empire of Inner Xhodiar

Settlements had existed around the area of Xiáz since before the Bronze Age began, but according to sources written in the 950s BCE, they unified circa 1645 BCE (archaeological evidence suggests a later date closer to 1500BCE), due to mutual interests in trade and shared language, which led to great prosperity. Rapid economic and urban expansion on the back of the bronze boom led to Xiáz being the centre of culture in western Alcia in the period, and it quickly found itself in possession of the funds, metal, means and desire to expand by force to some of the neighbouring areas.

Xiáz's army utilised its wealth to issue equipment, paid for from the Hykiri's treasury, to citizens who were conscripted into service by the existing warrior class. This led to a two tier army, utilising lightly or unarmoured peasant conscripts, armed with bows, or cheap bronze weapons, and then armoured and/or mounted elite formations of the warriors, who would be entirely equipped with bronze swords and spears, as well as shields. By 895 BCE, Xiáz controlled a significant portion of the western coast, having expanded south initially, but most efforts being focused on a second wave of northward expansion, up into the coast of modern day Jugia.

With Xiáz expanding, new settlements began to crop up within their borders, the most significant of which was Mhętha, which starts appearing in records from 883 BCE.

The 3 Jewels of the East

Writing arrived in the Xharmani city of Viriz first, in 897 BCE, and quickly spread to Kassa and Cos, as well as the settlements under their protection. The three city states were run by a combination of religious and martial aristocracies, led in dual each by a High Commander and High Priest,