Founding of Ahia
The tale of the founding of Ahia is retold in traditional stories of the foundation of Ahia and the Ahian Empire by the twin brothers Axja and Exje in most common retellings. In another version it was founded by Tanzuha of Salx.
Foundation Myths
Tanzuha
In the Tanzuha legend, it was claimed that Tanzuha, a colonial governor of the Islands of Salx, escaped from the then collapsing Koumese Empire with his personal army to modern Ahia. There he pleaded with the local Wythij-Ahian King Kjao to settle the land. The king agreed on the condition that he defeat the Wythyj King Veliki Kralj. Tanzuha challenged Veliki to a duel in 766 BCE. Tanzuha won in the end, claiming settlement of the land and founded modern Kjltra in 765 BCE. This would lead down to the foundation of the Ahian Kingdom by Axja and Exje in 689 BCE, connecting the Axja and Exje foundation myth to the Tanzuha legend.
Axja and Exje
The myth of Tanzuha was of Tahjahrki origin to reconcile with the original Ahian myth. In the myth they are claimed to be the sons of the earth god Heltmo and their demigod mother Kanil Wex. They were abandoned at birth due to a prophecy that foretold the twins would overthrow their uncle Arigia of Kjltra. The twins were abandoned on the riverside, later being found by a boar (though some versions claim it was a she-wolf) and nurtured until they were discovered by a farmer named Mirsita. He raised both of them until they were both of adult age. As adults they killed Arigia and took his place as king. An omen interpreted by the brothers lead to divisions of the city and kingdom. In the most common versions of the story Exje was killed by Axja or his followers. Afterwards Axja buried his brother in the center of Kjltra and founded the Ahian Kingdom.
Date
The ancient Ahians were certain of when the Ahian Kingdom was founded: June 16th, 689 BCE. However, this was disputed throughout history. Several ancient historians have proposed dates of when the kingdom was founded. Haxian of Isol stated that it was founded during the colonization of Ahia in the early 1000s BCE by the Tesjkvans. Uson Wyd proposed that it was founded a century prior to the empire, though even he thought his claim was disprovable. Makal of Dura claims Ahia was founded with the Battle of the Nenand against Kaqis of Nenan in 338 BCE, which was considered the foundry of the Ahian Empire.
The name of Ahia
There is no clear consensus on the origin of the name of Ahia. Often it is claimed to be named after Axja in myth, which is the name of Ahia translated. Modern theories include the name originating from the Kakosian word for invaders, ᚨᚺᚤᚨᚴ (Ahyak).
Archeology
There is evidence that ancient Ahian occupation began around 1100 BCE. The modern city of Kjltra was founded around 900 BCE by Tesjkvan settlers, which is thought to be the basis of the kingdom and later empire. Other colonies were founded around the same time, including Dura. Many of these colonies eventually became independent, either from the collapse of the Koumese Empire or by revolt. Some other colonies were created in western Kakland, in the Vernish Gulf, but ultimately failed either by running out of supplies or becoming overrun by Kakish tribes.