Anisoran Empire
| Anisoran Empire Impero Anisorano | |
| Flag | Coat of arms |
|---|---|
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| Motto: Sequens Viam Vindi, Floremus (Hallish: Following the Path of Vind, we thrive) | |
| Anthem: Imperium Auri (Hallish: Empire of Gold) | |
| Locator map | |
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| Capital city | Pena |
| Largest city | Pena |
| Official language | Anisoran |
| Other languages | Lusavanic, Pastanan, Parnethian |
| Ethnic group | |
| Religion | Peratolian Orkanan |
| Demonym(s) | Anisoran |
| Government | |
| Government Type | Federal absolute monarchy (7367-7473) Federal constitutional monarchy (7473-7505) |
| Emperor | |
| Prime Minister | |
| Legislature | Parliament |
| Establishment | |
| Anisoran Civil War | 7363-7365 |
| Area | |
| Total | 995,353 km2 km2 |
| Population | |
| Total | 46,281,835 |
| Density | 48.44/km2/km2 |
| Economy | |
| Economy type | Market economy |
| GDP (total) | Ꞡ 1,012,107,107 ₲ |
| GDP per capita | Ꞡ 21.87 ₲ |
| Currency | Grana () |
| Other information | |
| Driving side | left |
- This article is about the Anisoran Empire that existed between 7365-7616. For the modern nation state, see Anisora, and for other uses, see Anisora (disambiguation).
The Anisoran Empire (Anisoran: Impero Anisorano; Pastanan: Imperium Anisoranum), was a constitutional federal monarchy situated in central-western Anaria bordering the Medio Sea. The Empire was separated by the Sea of Cestarena and the Medio Sea into two parts, the Eastern and Western regions. The majority of Anisoran land and population was situated in the West in Anaria Minor, where the North Bhazen Mountains formed the western border of the Empire for much of its history. The remainder of Anisoran territory was made up of hundreds of Median islands as well as the entire Cadrai Peninsula, which extends out from Northern Anaria Major and borders Ardennes. In around 7580, the Empire covered an area of 776,597 km² (299,846 sq mi) and had a population of over 46 million inhabitants.
According to the constitution, the Anisoran Empire was organised as a federal constitutional monarchy, headed by the Emperor, with a parliamentary system of government situated in the capital, Pena. The Empire was made up of 41 constituent states, most of which were ruled by royal families. These included four grand principalities, eight principalities, two arch-duchies, seventeen duchies, four dependent islands, and six free cities. The largest of which, the Grand Principality of Casella, was the most politically dominant state since the Empire's foundation. Other major cities include Valance, Arrento, Tenalevan, Pilano, Valamaggiore, Marocida and Pandagna.
In 7367 Anisora became a nation state when Marius Decus won the Anisoran Civil War and was crowned Emperor of the Anisorans, uniting the Dual Kingdom of Casella and Pastana with most of the Anisoran speaking lands in Tova and the Confederation of Vetriano under a single constitution. The establishment of the Empire was the fulfilment of long-held desires to see an Anisoran state realised following the rise of Anisoran nationalism during the 73rd century. During the Marian Era under the successive rule of Marius I and Marius II, Anisoran power increased in Anaria Minor and the Medio Sea, which brought Anisora into conflict with other great powers including Auresia, Anat Tahan, Becuvitatia and Livaria. Although much of the territory gained in Anaria-Minor was ultimately lost after the Pan-Anarian War, Anisora remained a great Anarian power throughout the 75th and 76th centuries.
However, following the Pan-Anarian War (7498-7552), Anisora's power began to wane, with economic turmoil, religious sectarianism and ethnic nationalism placing increasing strains on the Empire. In the latter years of the Wolgos Scourge, the Empire disintegrated [more to follow].
Etymology
History
- Main article: History of Anisora
Foundation of the Anisoran Empire
Confederation of Vetriano
- Main article: Confederation of Vetriano
The Tovan states in modern-day Western Anisora have traditionally been a fractured region, made up of a patchwork of independent and semi-independent states going back centuries. During the 73rd and 74th centuries, the Kingdoms of Pastana and Casella fought for influence and direct control over these states. By the mid 74th century and the outbreak of the Anisoran Civil War, most of these states were under the direct influence of the Dual Kingdom. However, as a result of the civil war, many of these states were forced to pick a side, although many tried to stay neutral for as long as possible. By 7364, Marius, Duke of Marra, had crushed the loyalist forces under Giulia, Duchess of Pensano, at the Battle of Borginesca. After the loyalist army fled across the Medio to Pastana, Marius had undisputed control over Western Anisora and wished to cement his hold over the Tovan states, many of whom had sided against him in the war.
The Duke of Marra's first move into the region in the aftermath of Borginesca was to accept the surrender of those states and their princes and dukes that had declared for Princess Giulia and had provided troops to the loyalist army. Chief among these was the influential King Alfonso II of Matrignano and Prince Ferrando IV of the Principality of Vattoro. After Prince Ferrando surrendered to the Duke, the aged King Alfonso was still defiant, but was eventually relieved of command by a mutiny amongst his forces and was placed under house arrest by Marius. Marshal T. Luigi Orsiani (later known as the Prince of Tamaricciola) was installed as military governor of Matrignano and the Kingdom was secured as the most important client state of Marius Decus' growing empire.
With all resistance in Tova being quashed by the Duke's marshals by mid-August, on 18 August 7364 Marius summoned all the leaders of the Tovan states to Vetriano Castle. If the rulers were under arrest, or were with the loyalist army in Pastana, pro-Decus aristocrats were elevated as official representatives of their respective states, although they largely played lip-service to their respective military governors. At the Castle, Marius signed the Treaty of Vetriano, named after the Castle in which it was signed, followed by all the representatives of the Tovan states, thus establishing the Confederation of Vetriano. According to the constitution of the Treaty, Marius was declared Grand Master of the Confederation, who oversaw all military and foreign policy decisions, with all other major decisions being decided by the Council of Princes (made up of the heads of state or official representatives), which would sit at unspecified intervals under the supervision of the Grand Master. The Treaty was ratified after Marius' coronation as King of Pastana and Casella in 7365, with all member states sending representatives to the coronation to swear allegiance to the new King. The Confederation would only be in existence for three years, it being dissolved when the member states became constituent states of the Anisoran Empire, which was finally established in 7367.
Marian era (7367-7423)
The Marian Era (Anisoran: Era Mariana; Pastanan: Aetas Mariana) is the umbrella term to describe the period of Anisoran history from 7367 to 7423 during the reigns of Marius I and Marius II. The period is also known as the early imperial period or simply the early empire to Anisoran historians. The period officially begins at the foundation of the Anisoran Empire and the signing of the constitution in 7367, but the Anisoran Civil War (7363-7365) and the earlier reign of Marius I as King of the Dual Kingdom are also sometimes included.
The Marian era is remembered as one of the most formative periods in Anisoran history, where Anisoran identity and Anisoran nationalism came to full fruition. The era is also known for its cultural output, particularly with Marius I patronising famous figures such as Benedetto Giuliano Acquavena and Gesalec, among others. But the era is perhaps most often remembered especially internationally as a period of almost constant warfare and military expansion. The wars waged under both emperors resulted in Anisora gaining large swathes of land in Anaria Minor. By the end of the period, Anisora's hegemony over eastern Anaria Minor and the western Medio region was secure. It was during this period, particularly under Marius I, that Anisora rose to great power status which would lead her into conflict with other great powers, including Anat Tahan, Auresia, Becuvitatia and eventually Livaria.
Anisoro-Lusavanic war
After the formation of the Anisoran Empire in 7365, the new state began to look outwards and set in motion a period of expansionism across Anaria Minor. The war of conquest waged by the Anisoran Empire over the Kingdom of Lusavan was ostensibly started to 'liberate' Anisoran speaking and other Orkanans living under Lusavanic rule, principally in Parrona and Vasharat (Vascano). Although emerging Anisoran nationalism and increasing religious tensions undoubtedly played a part in the desire to go to war, most historians and commentators at the time suspected more cynical motives behind the designs of the Anisoran Emperor Marius I. Well known for his ruthless ambition and military credentials, Marius' imperial project was well articulated by the new regime.
War with the Kingdom of Lusavan along with the Kingdom of Becuvitatia had long been a goal of the new Anisoran regime. Together, the two kingdoms represented the most immediate threat to Anisoran hegemony over eastern Anaria Minor. As such, the Anisoran prime minister at the time, the Duke of Giullana, famously described the war as a 'political necessity'. According to the Anisoran military historian R. Livio di Porghiano, 'war against Lusavan was not only necessary but inevitable'. The legitimacy of both Marius as emperor and the entire Anisoran imperial project rested on the liberation of all Anisorans and the expansion of imperial protection to all Orkanan people of Anaria Minor (in what would later be formalised under the Holy Shrines Covenant). With the Empire barely five years old, the invasion of Lusavan presented the emperor with the perfect opportunity to prove the ambition of the Anisoran project to both his own people and the international community.
The war against Lusavan widened to a much larger regional conflict with the intervention of the Kingdom of Becuvitatia in 7373, although this only delayed the victory of the superior Anisoran forces. In the aftermath of the Anisoran victory at the battle of Andravan (7375), the Lusavanic King Aram III, together with his Becuvitatian ally Domnitor Nicolae, were forced to concede to harsh terms dictated by the Anisorans in the Treaty of Loraveno (7375). The treaty diminished the kingdom of Lusavan to a shell of its former self, annexing the vast majority of the kingdom's lands. The Anisorans divided the annexed territories between the newly established Principality of Parrona and the Grand Principality of Lusava, which Marius I would rule over personally. Aram III was to abdicate in favour of his young nephew Ruben XXIII, who effectively became a puppet of the Anisoran emperor. The Anisora-Lusavanic war was the principal step which launched Anisora into great power status and confirmed Anisora's hegemony of eastern Anaria Minor.
Pan-Anarian War
- Main articles: Pan-Anarian War and Anisora in the Pan-Anarian War
The Anisoran Empire entered the war in support of its principal ally the Auresian Empire and the desire to resist Hellish encroachment into the Medio Sea, which Anisora viewed as principally her sphere of strategic influence. Although many within the Anisoran Senate protested Willem II of Auresia's decision to harass Hellish shipping through the Hattaro Straits, citing concerns of Auresian breaches of neutrality, when relations deteriorated and Helreich declared war on Auresia, Emperor Titus I and his Prime Minister Ermino Viantriola supported Willem II and in turn declared war on Helreich on 7 April 7498, in line with the Second Amicizia Accord (signed in 7494) which established a defensive alliance between the two empires. The following day Anisora signed the Treaty of Aschgæt and formally declared war on the United League, although she was already at war with Helreich at the treaty's signing.
The Anisoran Empire played a significant role in the worldwide conflict for the entire length of the fifty-four year war. The Tahani Front, also known as the Western Front, fought in Anaria Minor, saw some of the bloodiest fighting of the war and was the longest unbroken frontline in military history. The Tahani Front, contrasting the Auresian Front in Hattaria and smaller fronts in the east, saw the vast armies of Anat Tahan and the Anisoran Empire, alongside their respective allied armies, advance and retreat in one of the most mobile frontlines of the war. Battles were fought across vast open plains, river valleys, foothills and the Bhazen Mountains, making it one of the most varied theatres of the war. Famous battles fought on the Tahani Front include: the Battle of Mallaro Ridge (1st Bhazen Campaign, 7499); the Battle of Laneka (1st Bhazen Campaign, 7503, arguably Anisora's greatest military defeat of the war); the Battle of Akhtalik (2nd Bhazen Campaign, 7505); the Battle of Chamotayk (Paranat Offensive, 7507, the bloodiest battle in Anisoran military history and Giulio Naramacora's most famous battle).
At the outbreak of war in 7498, the Anisoran Imperial Navy, the Marina Imperiale, was one of the largest and most effective navies in Anaria. While not as large as the Reichsmarine of Helreich or the Livarian Navy, the Anisoran Marina Imperiale was a formidable force and operated a large surface fleet of dreadnought battleships and battlecruisers with bases throughout the Medio and across Gotha. The Marina Imperiale played a key role in offsetting Hellish naval supremacy in Anaria and fought in the principal naval engagements of the war, including the Battle of X and X. Anisora maintained considerable influence over combined allied naval engagements and strategy throughout the war, including commanding the Combined Allied Fleet at the Battle of X under the command of Admiral Sir Domenico Poranatti.
On 10 June 7498 Anisora sent the Anisoran Expeditionary Force (FSA) to Hattaria in Auresia, two corps made up of 60,000 troops, initially under the command of Sir Giulio Narmacora, later Chief Marshal and Commander-in-Chief of Anisoran Forces. The Anisoran Expeditionary Force was the first foreign army to arrive in Auresia and played a major role in the immediate aftermath of the Fall of Porto Imperiale in late June, the Siege of Oseidon and the Battle of X before both Livarian and Aldsegian reinforcements arrived in Hattaria. The FSA remained in Auresia for much of the war and proved the commitment of Anisora to fighting the Hellish on the Auresian Front, although the number of troops did not increase by much, despite requests by the Auresian High Command.
Much like most countries which fought in the Pan-Anarian War, Anisora was beset with economic difficulties throughout the war which continued into the decades after the war. The government debt reached staggering amounts by the end of the war and the subsequent recession, and combined with rising inflation and widespread unemployment during the 7550's, Anisora faced economic ruin. Together with the rising nationalist movements in Anisoran territories in Anaria Minor and the independence those regions gained in the postwar settlements and treaties, Anisora lost much of her power and influence as a result of the Pan-Anarian War, although she was still considered an Anarian Great Power during the following decades. However, the sacrifices made on the Tahani Front meant Anisoran imperial power was in terminal decline, which would never recover ahead of the Wolgos Scourge almost fifty years later.
Unitarian dictatorship
- Main article: Unitarianism
After 7504, general faith in the civilian government collapsed after the disastrous Battle of Laneka, with the government of Count Forrana taking much of the blame for the military defeats suffered on the Western Front. The power vacuum after Lord Forrana's resignation was quickly filled by militarists with the support of emperor Titus I and his hawkish son the Grand Prince of Pastana, Prince Flavian. As the war continued in the wake of Laneka, unitarian ideas propagated by the Orkanist ideologue Andrea d'Arcole became highly influential within military circles, and the clique surrounding Flavian rigorously promoted unitarianist principles and the need to radically overhaul the war effort, including the prime minister at the time, the Duke of Moratto. Following the defeats of 7503-04, Anisora steadily transformed into a unitarian military autocracy, with the Grand Prince of Pastana and the Anisoran high command exercising considerable power and authority. This set Anisora upon a course of religious extremism and militarism, seeing the country adopt a much more brutal and uncompromising approach to the war, which was now openly described as an existential struggle for the very survival of the Orkanan world.
The military successes of the Count of Pacorna during the Paranat Offensive only strengthened the unitarian regime's grip over Anisoran politics over the next few years, particularly after the accession of Flavian to the throne in 7507. This period (7507-7518) was defined by a semi-totalitarian approach to the war effort, harsh repression, curbs to political freedoms and religious fundamentalism. Despite achieving notable military successes, Lusavanic nationalism and the excesses of the regime eventually led to the assassination of Emperor Flavian in 7518, who was shot by the Lusavanic religio-nationalist Samvel Namikonian. The assassination of the emperor sent shock waves throughout Anisora and the Aschgæt Alliance, setting in motion one of the most chaotic political periods during the War which would bring Anisora to the brink of civil war. However, the accession of Flavian's younger brother, Titus II, a liberal who abhorred his brother's militarism, established a relatively stable government that restored the constitution and re-established Anisora as a constitutional monarchy.
Interwar period
- Straits Cartel, Treaty of Aerilar
- Growing sectarian violence and Lusavanic nationalism
Wolgos Scourge
Anisoran Civil War
- Main article: Anisoran Civil War
Collapse of the Anisoran Empire
Administrative Divisions
The administrative divisions of the Anisoran Empire were complex and existed on many different levels, reflecting the historic patchwork of traditionally independent and semi-autonomous territories that fell under the successive rule of the Kingdom of Pastana, Kingdom of Casella, the Dual Kingdom of Casella and Pastana and the Anisoran Empire. Territories were not necessarily contiguous and many existed in several parts (enclaves and exclaves or scattered islands), as a result of historical acquisitions, traditional Orkanan administration, or, in several cases, divisions of the ruling family trees (stims). Although many of these states were semi-autonomous and retained their own government and head of state, many had been subject to increasing centralisation by the imperial government and had fewer powers than other states.
During the last few decades of the Empire, many viewed the formulation of the many territories within the Empire as outdated and overly complex. Many argued that the increasing centralisation of government during the last century of the Empire had made many of these divisions particularly redundant and reflected the Empire at its foundation in the late seventy-fourth century rather than the realities of the 76th century.
Constituent States
- Main article: Constituent states of the Anisoran Empire
In 7580 there were 41 constituent states within the Empire proper (excluding colonial states), the largest of which was the Grand Principality of Casella, and the smallest was the Free City of Valamaggiore. These constituent states took different forms and each had their own head of state as well as seats in the Federal Assembly, which gave them representation at an imperial level. Most territories were ruled by royal families, although all the Free Cities operated republican-style governments. Constituent states ranged from the largest and most important states, the four grand principalities, through to lesser principalities, arch-duchies and duchies, to the smallest territories of the Empire, the dependent islands and Free Cities. The 41 constituent states included four Grand Principalities, eight Principalities, two Arch-duchies, seventeen Duchies, four Dependent Islands, and six Free Cities.
Demographics
Ethnicity
The Anisoran Empire was a multi-ethnic state, though its inhabitants were primarily made up of Karsk and Athves peoples. Ethnic Anisorans (Karsk) made up the single largest ethnic group in the Empire, followed by other Karsk peoples, including the Orkanan Vascanese and Maronians. The second-largest ethnic grouping of the Empire, making up a sizeable majority in the west, comprised ethnic Lusavans (Athves), who generally practiced Izha.
A number of other minority ethnic groups had a presence within the Empire. The most numerous, while making up less than 6% of the population, included Parnethians, Emther from Thultannia and the Tahana, a remnant of Tahani domination of central Anaria Minor centuries ago. There was, and remains today, significant prejudice amongst the majority ethnic Karsk majorities of Anisora against the Tahana.
Languages
The majority language in the Anisoran Empire was Anisoran, spoken by approximately 75% of the population as their first and native tongue, with a further 10% using it as a second or even third language. Anisoran was also widely spoken, primarily as a second language, in Anisoran colonies and overseas territories.
The second-most widely spoken language in the Empire was Lusavanic, one of the most widely spoken Heyelrem languages. Lusavanic is written in the Ralvaran script of a 39 letter alphabet, used by most Heyelrem languages, although the Dragaric script was also widely used, particularly in Anisoran-influenced and controlled regions of Lusavan. In both Tavonia and the Grand Principality of Lusava, where Lusavanic was the majority and official language, official documents were normally presented in both Ralvaran and Dragaric scripts for ease of comprehension. The total number of Lusavanic speakers within the Anisoran Empire stood at around 7.5 million in 7580.
While Anisoran and Lusavanic were the most widely-spoken languages in the Anisoran Empire, Pastanan remained an official language for much of the Empire's existence. It is an ancient and revived language of the Dragar family of languages of Northern Anaria and was primarily spoken by the learned Anisoran elite, but is not the de facto language of Anisora. Only approximately 15% of the population spoke the language during its height of popularity during the 74-75th centuries. 'Modern Pastanan', or 'New Pastanan' as it is often called, is essentially the same language as ancient Pastanan, but with key and extensive updates to vocabulary and pronunciation. The language was revived and became popular under Emperor Marius I in the 74th century among the Anisoran elite and since then became popular to the point where it was made the official language of the Empire under Emperor Marius II in 7415. However, during the Pan-Anarian War, its popularity amongst even the elite began to decline, and by the end of the 76th century it was primarily an academic language and had lost its official status.
Religion
- Main article: Peratolian Orkanan
The majority and state religion of the Anisoran Empire was (and remains today) Peratolian Orkanan. As an interventionist branch of Orkanan, Peratolian doctrine maintains the conventional monotheism of an omnipotent god known as Vind. Peratolians maintain that Vind has a Master Plan for Its creation, and has placed humankind on Gotha with the express purpose of assisting in carrying out the Master Plan. The Valantine Canon, established by the Dragar Monopoly after the fall of the Orkanan Realm of Stoldavia as a rival to the Skiöldavik Canon, records and stores all canonical texts of the Peratolian faith, with the Pena Canon maintained in the imperial capital, Pena.
Unlike many other Orkanan branches, Peratolian Orkanan has a militant and radical tendency that has manifested itself after centuries of existential religious warfare in Anaria Minor against the Izhaic sects, such as the Great Holy War (6810-6843). As a consequence, Anisoran imperialism and nationalism had (and has) a distinctly religious dimension, with many Peratolians believing that it remains the sacred mission of Anisora to resist the encroachment of the Izhaic sects and defend Orkanan Anaria.
Other religions were also practised within the Empire, including different branches of interventionist Orkanan. However, the second largest religion practised in the Anisoran Empire was Izha, in particular the Norynan sect. Largely conforming to the historic land of Lusavan, the Norynan sect of Izha remained widely followed in the Grand Principality of Lusava and Vascano and the Anisoran protectorate of Tavonia in central Anaria Minor. After centuries of religious warfare between the Izhaic west and Orkanan east, religious tensions remained prevalent in the western regions throughout the Empire's existence, with sectarian violence commonplace, particularly between followers of the Alí̱theia Izhaic sect and Peratolian Orkanans.
Large scale religious pogroms and mass atrocities periodically rocked the Empire, and tensions remained particularly high throughout Lusavan, with religiously motivated violence frequent occurrences. The linkage between Lusavanic ultra-nationalism and Izha was well entrenched by the final century of the Anisoran Empire, resulting in little distinction being drawn by many anti-Anisoran terrorist and agitation groups between nationalist and religious goals. Ultimately, sectarian violence, religious intolerance and extremism and ethnic nationalisms played a major role in the collapse of the Anisoran Empire, and continue to destabilise the lands that were once under the Anisoran Empire to this day.