Catastrophes

=== Catastrophes, also frequently referred to as cataclysms, refer to civilisation-ending events that have occurred throughout history as the result of divine interference. ===
== Academic and Popular basis ==
=== Origin of the term ===
In the 5th century BGE, Archpolonian historian Glaupolis published his famous treatise I Istoria ("The History"), covering the known history of the Aravikian people and the cultures and civilisations that descended from them. Glaupolis coined the term Catastrophe, in reference to what he called the First and Second Catastrophes in Argaiv and Ankh. Glaupolis' categorisation of Catastrophes notably excludes events outside such as the destruction of Okar. 
=== Wider adoption ===
Glaukopis' work was influential in his native Archpolonia and was also one of the first Centrelands texts translated into Raqqosi. The concept of a "divine catastrophe" also resonated with the Pemblish whose folklore and collective memory recalled a fear of the divine powers wielded by Paramacca in the Northern War. Consequently, Glaupolis' model of the two catastrophes established itself in popular and academic consciousness. 
Following the Great Flood in the Eastern basin, many Pemblish referred to the event as the "Third Catastrophe", due to prevailing opinion that it was divine judgement on the Horde and for the devastating it had on the Horde's populace.
=== Modern Perspective ===
Modern historians and scholars view the term as a useful tool, but do not subscribe to the numbered formatting ascribed by Glaupolis, as it is