Republic of Athenia

Flag & Coat of Arms of the Republic of Athenia

### Basic Information

**Athenia**, officially the **Republic of Athenia**, is an elective republic situated along the coastline of South Western Ostrove. It is divided into 7 administrative provinces called **woodlands.** Athenia has a population of 11.1 million people, and is inhabited by the Athenian race, which is split into several ethnic groups.

Athenia is covered in dense, deciduous woods. It has a temperate & transitional climate which changes throughout the season. Its most populous city and capital is **Terlo**, located in the woodland of Darachia. Other major cities include Amersode, Edenrea & Machill.

### Etymology

The native name for the Republic of Athenia is **Poblacht na hAithne*.*** The name is derived from the Athans, an early Athenian tribe who inhabitated the present day woodland of Darachia. The tribe's name stems from the Proto-Athenian word "Atha", which loosely translates to "woods."

## History

### Prehistory & Early History (10,000 BC - 1000 AD)

Athenian paleontologists have dated the first activity on Athenian soil to around 10,000 BC. It is believed that through the natural course of life, one of the many deciduous trees making up Athenia's natural woodlands suffered a mutation allowing for the development of internal organs & a circulatory system akin to present day Humans, however with roots & plant matter such as stomata replacing veins, capillaries, flesh & skin tissue.

This tree's natural life eventually came to the end sprouting new offspring, and through the process of evolution, eventually developed to the point of sentience & humanoid adaptations through the generations, such as limbs & eyes.

Early Athenians survived peacefully in their woodlands due to a lack of natural predators. Their physical composition made them unsuitable as food for predatory animals. Utilizing photosynthesis to gain energy directly from the sun, Athenian tribal societies rarely had to fight for resources and did not survive as isolated hunter-gatherer societies, instead developing a strong harmonious bond, seeing each member of their race as family.

Despite the lack of natural predators, Athenians were heavily vulnerable to the diseases existing in their temperate climate. These diseases predominantly affected their internal organs, causing severe internal rotting and a slow & painful death, and were highly contagious. Most Proto-Athenian deaths can be linked to disease.

It is believed that over 250 different species of Athenians have existed of the years, out of the current 7. It is assumed that these species slowly died through the process of natural selection & deformity, not being able to adapt their bodies fast enough to develop immunity against the countless diseases targeting the species' vulnerable immune system.

Due to their close proximity to the coastline & experience with woodworking, Athenians considered themselves experts at shipmaking, becoming one of the first early civilizations to discover rafts.

### Formation of Athenia (1000 AD - 1560 AD)

Athenia began to form into a recognizable unitary and territorial entity around the end of the 11th century under the reign of the tribal leader Nioclás I. Although the nation did not have an official name, it was said to be extremely expansive in the continent, with its inhabitants being referred to as the "people of the wood". Over time, as the amount of deciduous woods in the continent decreased due to natural disaster & destruction of the environment, the territorial expanse of the tribal nation also decreased, until eventually the nation was forced to hug mostly along the coastline of South Western Ostrove, where is currently sits to this day.

Over the years, the Nioclás dynasty continued to rule the Tribal Monarchy, until a great plague known as "The Rot" spread through the land, killing millions of Athenians, including Nioclás III and his heirs. Between 1300 & 1500, Athenia remained mostly unconsolidated and untouched. Communities & towns did exist, however there was no nation tying them together, and each community had their own set of laws & legislature.

The present day Athenia began to form in the middle of the 16th century, when an ambitious Darachian man by the name of Aodh Ó Fionnachta, already popular in his local community of towns, decided to step up and unite the race after centuries of confusion and disorganization. His proposals of an elective system were popular in the political landscape of Athenia, with many inhabitants longing for a much needed sense of national unity.

On the 25th of July of 1556, the Republic of Athenia was declared as a national entity, and the official flag & coat of arms was adopted on the 30th of the same month. It was decided that Terlo would become the nation's new capital, being the most populous settlement within the republic's borders.

In January of 1560, the **Act for the Brotherly Partition of Athenia** was passed, splitting the country in 6 administrative woodlands. 6 years later in 1566, the woodland of **Beithe** was added in the north, a splinter of the woodland of **Bambu.** This was done in order to give equal representation to the Beithen Athenians, who although similar in appearance, considered themselves seperate in traditions & dialect.

### Into a New World (1560 AD - 1600 AD)

Heading into the 1560s was tough for the young republic. The races seclusion up until this point made diplomacy with other nations difficult, and Athenia often found itself politically isolated, feeling decades behind its competition.

The expansion of the nation's diplomacy and exposure to the world was Athenia's first introduction to war. Although inexperienced in conflict, seeing other nations battle around them made the young nation's leadership paranoid. As a result of this, in 1600, the **Athenian Land Forces** & **Athenian Maritime Navy** were formed in order to have some line of defense against possible invasion. These military branches then became subordinate to the newly formed **Athenian Ministry of National Defence**. The equipment of the armed forces was and still is very behind, and the navy consists mostly of repurposed mercantile vessels.

### The Present (1919 - Onwards)

In 1919, Athenia finds itself in a precarious political position. As the world has developed militaristically, the Athenian's peaceful stance has still bid them no experience in conflict & war, an aspect plaguing the modern world.

In particular, severely outdated equipment and the lack of any kind of airforce has made the Athenian Republic appear to be in a weak & powerless position to its neighbours, despite the resolution and strong-minded will for independence of its people.

Despite these setbacks, Athenia is one of the most culturally & intellectually developed parts of the continent, if not the world. The Athenians take pride in their national stability, bureaucracy, education, lack of ethnic conflict & brotherly nature.

Athenia is the lead exporter of paper & hardwood in the modern world.

## Religious Diversity

### Pantheistic Naturalism

Pantheistic Naturalism is an extremely popular religion practiced within Athenia, and is the predominant & majority religion, with 87.6% of the population considering themselves as being Pantheistic Naturalists.

Pantheistic Naturalism is the belief that everything in the natural world & greater universe is the manifestation of God. They believe that God is an energy which gives them life by protecting their woodlands, providing the Sun for energy to photosynthesize & giving them life in the first place. Pantheistic Naturalists in Athenia believe that the natural environment & universe is not just a gift from God, but is **God himself.**

### Atheism

10.9% of Athenians consider themselves to be Atheist or otherwise non-religious. It is important to not that the Athiests of Athenia still hold massive respect for Pantheistic Naturalism, seeing it as part of their traditions & culture, although not sharing the beliefs themselves.

### Other

Athenia is host to ~167,000 inhabitants who consider themselves as non-aligned with both Atheism & Pantheistic Naturalism. This includes folk religions, as well as religions which spread to Athenia from overseas, leading to very small groups of converts emerging.

## Athenia in Sports

### Athenian National Football Team

At international football events, particularly the World Cup, Athenia is represented by the Athenian National Football Team. They play home games at the National Pitch in Terlo, and are known for their traditional dress-like style of kit, as well as their lack of shoes.