Battle of Pontelorium

The Battle of Pontelorium was a naval assault by Berique against the Empire of Exponent, and was the first time since the establishment of Exponent that an outside power was able to gain a foothold in Hesperidesia.

Background

Throughout the 1730's, largely to pay for their troops abroad in the Aquitaynian War of Independence, the Empire of Exponent borrowed substantial sums of money from the nation of Berique, which had recently begun explorations of Sythith and as such had a renewed interest in eastern Astyria. By 1740, however, it was becoming clear both that Exponent would be unable to pay its debts, and that Berique needed ports closer to Sythith to continue their pursuits in the area.

Beriquois commanders began scouting the Hesperidesian coastline in search of a location that would be suitable as a stopover point for Sythith-bound vessels, and selected Pontelorium as the ideal place for such an establishment.

Aftermath

Seeking to minimize further loss of land, the Imperial government met with Beriquois officials and agreed to cede the territory that today comprises Cote d'Cuivre. The area would remain under Beriquois control until the end of the Great Astyrian War, and would serve as a point of contention between the two powers for almost two centuries.