Bartenoe

*This article refers to the haYam Shelanu Timeline.*

"Lady of Heaven", Flag of Bartenoe

Map of Bartenoe

The Republic of the Tin Isles (Barttanaghitt: "*Sofheddim Barttanagheidh*") also known as the Republic of Bartenoe or simply Bartenoe, is a nation located in the British or Tin Isles, with its capital in Qardiph City ("Qardyphardh"). It is a mostly Punic country, whose population speaks a language with strong influence from native Celtic Pritani. The regions of Fhine (split between Fhine Zumaregh and Fhine Barttanagh) and Laghynn both contain sizeable Celtic populations. Genetically, the country is almost entirely mixed-race Phoenician, North African and Pritani. Bartenoe borders Albium in Barttan (Great Britain), and Connaught and Munster in Ireland. The country is 46% Syriyana.

Faraqa is a parallel to OTL England.

## Etymology

"*Barttanagh*" comes from the Old Punic word "Baratanac", meaning "Tin Isles". This name is due to the large amount of tin present in the region, which was historically Bartenoe's main export.

## Government

Bartenoe is a presidential republic ruled by a Suphet, though the Barttanaghitt call such a "Sofhedde" instead. The two Fhines have a relatively large degree of autonomy, but nevertheless there is a somewhat present separatist sentiment and interest in unification with Albium. Though Qardiph City is the national capital, the seat of the judiciary branch of government is found in Barttanaghardh in the far south.

## History

### Settlement by Punics (1st century CE)

Bartenoe was first settled by Punic merchants from Spania and Wenedy in the first century CE, who wished to create trade outposts to facilitate the commerce of tin. These settlements were never territories of Carthage proper, but they had a large degree of economic dependence and political alignment to the mediterranean. Originally called "Baratanaqart", Barttanaghardh would host the capital of the Republic of Baratan, one of many Punic republics in the Tin isles. New settlements were slowly founded through this initial period of colonization, usually in cooperation with native tribes. In the 3rd century, Buddhism was introduced to the region, and it quickly spread across the isles into both Punics and Celts. Following the collapse of the Southern Carthaginian Empire, the Punics of Bartenoe could no longer enjoy protection from Africa, and became more aggressive in their foreign affairs, attacking Pritani tribes for farmland and territory and growing their influence in the south.

### Viking Age

During the Viking Age, Danes and Angles attacked the Tin isles and threatened the entire island with conquest. Afront this threat, the Suphets of Barttan and Qardiph united in the face of this threat, forming the modern nation of Bartenoe. They would soon conquer the remaining Punic states to consolidate the region, and would successfully repel the Angles from the Kingdom of Mittlsex in 976, founding the city of Lundighom. Now united, Bartenoe began to expand further inland within the isles, and in 1060 kicking the Norwegians from Ireland and seizing what is now Laghynn. The relationship between Bartenoe and the Norse were not entirely antagonistic, however, as the North Sea Ivory trade massively enriched both sides, as Bartenoe traded its tin and dyes for Norwegian walrus ivory.

## Linguistics

*Main article: Punic Languages*

Barttanaghitt is a member of the Celto-Punic or Calliganid family, alongside Wenedine and Agadanit. Barttanaghitt is closest semantically to Wenedine, though it is a very distinct Punic language and the one with the most Celtic influence.