History of West Phoenicia

Prehistoric History

Archaeologists have theorised through multiple archaeological site excavations, human habitation of the area now known as West Phoenicia sprung up 7000 to 8000 years ago during the Neolithic period.

Five distinct ethnic groups migrated into the region, starting from at least 8000 years ago.

The distinct ethnic groups left their mark through cities, paintings, artifacts and written and oral histories.

The Mermania

Archeological evidence discovered across a number of sites has the Mermania people migrating and settling across coastal locations of the northern and eastern coasts of modern-day West Phoenicia.

Surviving oral history transcripts compiled between 1775-1970 by Dr Richard Marcos; head of the Anthropology Department at the University of Jacksonia, strongly show Mermania settlements consisted of a matriarchal social system. The settlements were separated into family bands of up to 50 members, led by a female elder.

The Mermania people consumed freshwater or saltwater fish (depending on there location), crab and oysters. They foraged for seaweed, fruits, nuts and roots to supplement their diets.

Early Wall cave paitings discovered in northern West Phoenicia, display pictures of boat making. The Mermania became renowned for their boat making, it enabled them to venture further out into the ocean to fish and to trade with other clans on the eastern coast without having to venture inland to do so.

Shell Jewellery worn by Clan leaders of the Mermaina

Jewellery was produced using pearls and shells. Jewellery was adorned by all members of the tribes and held no monetary or social status.

Due to the close proximity to water, Mermania tribe members were excellent swimmers. Oral history tells that during the Summer months, clans would come together in times of fellowship; at these events, friendly swimming competitions were held.

Art depicting original Mermania folk.

West Phoenician philosophers and poets have written works about the Mermania tribe descending from Mermaids and Mermen who left the oceans for land when they evolved.

The Deserti

The Deserti People, as they are referred to by historians, due to their proximity to the drier harsher territories in the central and southern parts of the region. The Desert People didn't have a singular name, rather each band was identified by their location. The more well-known tribes were "The People of the Mud River" and Desert Fox Clan.

The Desert People were renowned as fierce fighters; especially in hand to hand combat. Land border disputes and access to freshwater supplies placed tribes at odds with each other.

It was common for members of individual tribes to be aggressive towards members of their own tribes when it came to disputes over resources. Disputes were settled in hand to hand combat with the victor inflicting an injury on their opposition.

These hunter and gatherer seasonal nomads would migrate towards warmer locations during the winter months.

The Desert People resided in massive tent cities made from animal hides and wood that protected them from the elements. Desert People women were responsible for putting up and taking down the tents.

The Desert people lived in tent cities, made from animal hides.

Hunting was performed by both genders. Their main sources of diet were animals like rabbits, lizards, snakes and birds. Roots, nuts and other sources of food were obtained through foraging. Foraging was handled by the children.

The tribes were split into family bands with each band controlled by a chieftain who obtained the role from a fight to the death with the previous chieftain.

Hapicuhtli, the double-faceddeity worshipped as their Supreme deity. Hapicuhtli represented Fire and Water. They were Animalistic in general.

The Desert People's God

Each year tribes held an annual sacrifice of one boy and one girl child to appease their god. One offering was burnt alive to appease the fire. The other drowned to appease the water.

The Dweorg

Cave excavations from the late 1800s have shown Dweorg Clans originally resided in the vast mountain ranges to the north at least 7,500 years ago.

It was theorised over time, clans split due to overpopulation.

A sub-group known as the Southern Dweorg migrated away from the mountains to the plains. Dwelling alongside rivers and forests. It opened up new food to these clans. The Southern Dweorgs were among the first to cultivate the land for farming.

Southern Dweorgs suffered huge losses in population. Due to their peaceful nature, they could not compete in fighting off raids from The Babalites and other nomads groups who also resided in the region and were looking to expand. Weaker clans were forced to merge with larger clans or migrate further onto the plains and into the forests to avoid the conflicts.

The Northern Dweorg remained in the mountains and caves. Ir provided a natural defence against raiders and enemy tribes.

Mountain dwellings of the Northern Dweorg

Northern Dweorg became skilled in mining and smithing,

Northern Dweorgs became traders, setting up numerous trade routes, trading in minerals, iron and precious gems.

Leadership was in the form of a council of elders; that ruled with the use of wisdom.

Dweorgs worshipped a Supreme deity. Each household had a small alcove for their God that protected them and their home.

The Dryadi

Dryadi Tribes lived in vast territories in forests and woods throughout the northern and eastern parts of the region where the temperatures were cooler.

The northern tribes resided in mud lodges on the earth. While the eastern clans settled in the trees in elaborate tree houses. The dwellings allowed the tribes to blend in with their surroundings.

Naturalists at heart they dressed in what they could find in their locations. Leaves, ivy vines, flowers and the furs of deceased animals were popular choices. They would use berries and other sources to dye their hair and faces.

They respected nature and showed care to animals and trees. They were peaceful clans and opposed warfare. However, they practised self-defence, if required to defend themselves

Dryadi tribes lived off the land, consuming fruits, vegetables, nuts; they were primarily vegetarian by nature. However, some tribes would consume the carcass of a dead animal if it meant not starving.

They practised Animism, a belief that all living things have a soul. Tribes were led by a shaman who sought guidance by communicating with the spirits surrounding through trance and divination.

Upon death, tribe members were burnt on funeral pyres. Their ashes mixed with water and poured onto the earth.

A typical Dryadi funeral pyre

The Babalites

The Babalites were a large group of wanderers who upon arrival in the region settled first in the plains. Historians tend to agree they were the last of the five groups to settle in the region.

Within 200 years of settling, they became great horse riders and were skilled in the use of bows and arrows, shields and spears and later swords when iron was introduced to the region through trade and raiding.

To the other ethnic groups in the region, they were commonly referred to as barbarians, due to their warlike nature.

They built established settlements and cities as they expanded. Warriors were sent out on a seasonal basis raiding villages for resources they could not grow or create themselves.

The leadership of each tribe consisted of a Lord or Lady. As time progressed these leaders built fortified castles to protect themselves and their citizens from other Babelite cities.

A hierarchal system was established; farmers and shepherds at the bottom followed by the military, the priest class and finally the nobility class.

Many modern West Phoenicians are predominantly descended from the Babalites.

The Middle Ages (500 AD -1450 AD

Formation of The Greater Phoenician Empire

Members of a noble Babalite city family, the Imperium family, rallied other Babalite cities, alongside, Dweorgs, Mermania and Dryadi tribes to avoid being conquered from foreign invaders who allied with the Deserti people.

By 1130, The House of Imperium became the founding royal house to rule over a unified country they named; The Empire of Greater Phoenicia.