Fiorentine Empire
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Fiorentine Empire Imperium Florentinum Βασιλεία Φιορεντίνα | |
|---|---|
| c. 350 BCE–492 | |
 Emblem
| |
 Empire at its greatest extent c. 135 CE | |
| Capital | Laterna |
| Common languages | Fiorentine Ancient Myrian |
| Religion | Alydianism |
| Government | Elective Absolute monarchy |
| Rex | |
• 346 BCE–331 BCE | Leo I |
• 398-418 | Sebastianus |
• 481-482 | Trocundus |
• 482-483 | Majorian II |
• 483-485 | Boethius |
• 485-490 | Flavius Felix |
• 490–492 | Salonius Narcissus |
| Historical era | Classical era |
• Creation of Fiorentine League | c. 350 BCE |
| 492 | |
| Today part of | |
The Fiorentine Empire is a name used to refer to the ancient Fiorentine civilisation which ruled over much of Asura, West Sifhar and North Arabekh.
History
Foundation and Fiorentine League
Very few verified sources exist regarding the exact formation of the Fiorentine League due to the loss or destruction of most written documents. As such much of the information regarding the formation of the league is taken from legends and apocraphyl stories of which their authenticity continues to be debated by historians. With the decline of Ardeshir's empire following his death around 350 BCE numerous local warlords and tribes rose up to declare independence from their former masters among those were the cities of Laterna, Marsala, Montscia, and Nissa each of which had previously sworn loyalty to Ardeshir in order to prevent the conquest and destruction of their own cities. However, the power vacuum left behind by Ardeshir allowed many hostile tribes to sack and pillage each of the cities. Only the King of Laterna posessed an army powerful enough to drive away the tribal invaders, preventing Laterna from being beseiged. Faced with this external threat many of the cities elected to pledge allegiance to Laterna to defend against agressive tribes such as the Leccii and Ostans.
Though the King of Laterna's troops proved sufficient to repel most invading tribes, they were unable to defend all fronts as was proven when the Leccii raided Laterna in around 347 BCE destroying the city's library and most early writings on Fiorentina and the Ardeshiri period. The inability of Laterna to defend the union, along with the death of Laternan King Mettius Cluilius Siculus led the cities of Marsala, Montscia, and Nissa to rise up in the first Fiorentine Civil War which lasted two years. The result of the war saw each city and their citizens given equal status within the league whilst significant limitations were placed on the power of the Fiorentine king outside of his personal domain. This new settlement however paved the way for future Fiorentine expansion as many more citizens from the other cities could now be drafted into the army, whilst the Fiorentine King became incentivised to expand his personal domain due to the limitations on his power when dealing with issues relating to the other cities.
Society
Government
- See also: List of Fiorentine rulers
Political historians studying the Fiorentines have traditionally separated the history of the Empire into four distinct phases. Each of these phases outlines the shifting governmental structure of the empire, particularly in relation to the role of the Fiorentine King or Rex. Historians have generally tracked the increasing power and authority of the Fiorentine Rex as the empire expanded out of its traditional heartlands, casting off the limitations placed upon them by the Fiorentine League to weild almost absolute authority; marking the shift from the Fiorentine 'Foederate' into the 'Dominate'. However, a considerable decline in the power weilded by the Rex is also noted during the latter days of the 3rd century BCE. This decline in authority is particularly evident following the Fiorentine defeat during the Talsconensis wars as well as the end of the old line of hereditary rulers. As such, this new period known as the 'Consulate' sees much greater power vested within oligarchs and the Senate with the Rex acting merely as an elected figurehead. This period also coincides with the general decline of the Empire itself. The final period known as the 'Imperialis' typically sees military generals monopolise military power to retain their position, rather than relying on political patronage or the traditional religious and social authority vested in the position of Rex. Later Fiorentine rulers during the 'Imperalis' period also see themselves reliant upon their own military governors and foreign warlords to retain their position, such was the nature of the declining empire.
Foederate
a short period during which the rex is restrained by the treaties with the other cities
Dominate
a period in which the rex was near absolute, divine hereditary power etc. lasted from ~300 to ~218. Defeats in the Talsconensis wars see power shifted to the assembly
Consulate
a period in which oligarchs in the senate dominate political proceedings, with a lot of tension boiling socially. The Rex is essentially a figurehead, and during this period the hereditary line dies out, making the position elective.
During the late period military generals become far more important, numerous civil wars occur.
Imperialis
In this period the position of Rex is largely filled by strongmen generals who monopolise military power and rely more upon their imperium than their position as Rex. Usually differentiated between an earlier and later period, with later Imperators relying upon military governors and warlords and often ending up mere figureheads
Economy
The Goldway provides the Empire with a steady source of amber.