Lavinian civilization

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For the region the civilization is named after, see Lavinia.

The traditional extent of Lavinian civilization in the 3rd century BCE.

The Lavinians of the Lavinian civilization (Lavinian: Árdvanites "civilized", Nolavine: Laviá, Telancrine: hrōtéwə, Cannonian: lauvn, Old Galatian: *taratii) also called Predecessors (Nolavine: Endrakunia, Telancrine: méwituwət), also called the Lavenes was a society in southern Antraea that lasted from 8th century pa to the 7th century na, existing in much of the classical period. Much of this duration was defined by the domination of the First Confederation (parakunia perana/endra, parkvtarkunion), which arose from the coastal and upland settlements that speak a South Amuric language. The Confederation's eventual demise in the Burning of the Throne led to the culture's dispersal and eventual expansion.

During the political transition of the confederation to a centralized polity, the age is regarded as the strongest and most politically coherent eras in Eastern Antraean history, where a cultural, scientific and artistic bloom in the classical world, regarded as the Elder Golden Age, flourished. It is one of the leading cultures in the Classical world-system.

Lavinia has a lingering influence over much of modern Antraean civilization, on art, politics, law, philosophy, literature, architecture, technology, language, politics and warfare. Politically it set the basis of the feudal Vacratic system which became the earliest bases of the Antraean nation-state. Its particularly unique matriarchal society (especially in the context of the wider West), passed on to its successor cultures, also had a lasting impact over neighboring cultures such as the Ottonians and Galatians. One of the most influential faiths in Adia, Amatorism, was developed in the Lavinian heartlands during the Confederation's later stages.

The modern states of Tartessa, Valence-Lumero, Carmelia, Patrea, Salatresion[1] and Elhambra are regarded as its modern descendants, laying claim to Lavinian inheritance. The Lavinians themselves, by virtue of historical legend claimed direct succession from an earlier and equally siginificant civilization--the Myrcaenines.

History

According to the Histories of Gelespa, the Lavinian people were borne out of the marriage of King Ardistus and Queen Hustaspa of "the eastern plateau". Gelespa then claims that while Ardistus and Hytaspa considered each other equals (actual folklore claiming Hytaspa being the superior between the two), passing generations have led to moral corruption and complacency. This culminated with the rise of King Bykhanos of the Antarenes, who declared his and his sons' domination over "every peak of the realm", putting all Antarene women under slavery and waged a war of conquest which lasted for 72 years. Until, a Lavene woman named Laharva declared rebellion, won over the Antarene king Velekian and instated a matriarchy. From there, it inspired the other descendant tribes of Vilanea and Mankalnea to overthrow he Antarenes. With this, the three Queendoms (Evrissiasa Veles) entered an era of prosperity, until a long and devastating winter (perhaps coinciding with the Hyratian Dark Ages) forced them to the coasts for greener pasture. Thus the people of the eastern plateau settled to the Antraean lowlands.

Through inference of historical toponyms, archaeological evidence and folklore, the designated origin point of the Southern Antraean languages (the "eastern plateau") was determined to be in the Valárpórt highlands (now Bazgriyan NTZ), with the historical Proto-Lavinians being a semi-nomadic equestrian people. The political history of the highlands was said to be a feudal one, with the sedentary land-owning class owing their protection to their horse-lords, the Ibri. Its highest ruler is the Ibrissuti or arch-commander, which delineates the boundaries of property, officiate religious rite, and command all Ibri to battle. This "kingdom" of Ardistus and Hustaspa has been estimated to have lasted from circa 1020 to 900va., for 100 years, in which a climactic drop in temperatures (leading to lesser pastures) and an influx of migrant Hyratian settlers have forced them to move south, to the Antraean lowlands coexisting with the Cannonians.

Lavinia and the Cities

Aletrian ascendancy and birth of Amatorism

Decline and dissolution

As the Amatorians began to take up a clearly universalist character, Lavinia as a national identity became increasingly irrelevant to the cultural sphere in favor of religious orthodoxy.

Revivalism

[...]

The reconstitution of the Palatine confederacy into regional revolutionary governments, while unsuccessful in reuniting all of Lavinia into a cohesive body (as was intended), it reaffirmed the spiritual unity of Lavinian identity. Some would say the revival of Lavinian antiquity is exemplified by its polycentric nature, no more tethered by the sole authority of the almen and Nexedra. In some ways this also reflected in the structure of the Paraphanion itself, with the Almens assuming up more power as national institutions in their own right.

Politics

Culture

A scene from the Astralium, depicting the women warriors of Latia fighting the eastern Cannonians during the early period.

Lavinians, typical of southeastern Antraean societies, prevails under matriarchy. It is evident in much in the language and its basic values. Women and mothers are typically viewed as heads of the household, inheritance and primogeniture is passed from the mother. Women's roles were as warrior, defender, leader and thinker, while men are usually relegated to menial work and educating the children. Both men and women are responsible for housekeeping, as it was seen as a joint responsibility. This is pretty much encapsulated by the late Palatine period saying: Ania kon śiχia ton θiniarissa, attiro kon synis ton urunesirios ("The mother has guile and wisdom, the father has hands and feet").

The Lavinians were also noted for their Equestrian culture, which was adapted from their Valerian forbears. Much of their social culture and politics revolve around horses (a deified centaur, Bagratius, is a national god during the early Palatine). Rulers and landowners were expected to own and ride horses, along with their husbands and children. The Cavalry are considered a divine office. Their most cherished weapons are meant for horseback combat and one of the titles for the Lavinian Queen was Baghevrisstisa, or "horse-master".

(cannonian influence)

This aspect of Latian culture will be intensified after their final victory over the Cannonian people during their consolidation of power in the 8th century .

Government

See also: Republicanism

Religion

The Latians traditionally practiced multitheism, sporting a pantheon derived from both both the Cannonian and Amuric traditions.

  • The nature of Latian deities are more allegorical rather than corporeal compared to its neighbors, a trait that was passed over to the Amatorians.
  • Due to their symbolic and allegorical nature, most of its mythologies are not necessarily histories, but rather representations and symbolic renderings/extrapolations of philosophical concepts. Its stories typify a meditative nature of man, and its gods metaphysical entities.
  • The soul is inherent in existence, and is dualistic. However, unlike the foriscian separative/dialectical approach, the Latians are dialogical (dialogue): one must win over the other. To the Latians, victory over the other signifies totality, and totality signifies conclusion.

Their religion gradually gave way to the faith of Amatorism.

Notes and citations

  1. While a predominantly Cano-telancrine state, Salatresion has laid claim for Lavene Inheritance by virtue of the Almen of the East and the matrician lineages which came from Lavinian magisters.