Feliman Empire

# This article is outdated and is waiting review.

Imperium Felimanum

The **Feliman Empire** (Reprodesic: *Imperium Felimanum* / *Senatus Populusque Felimanus*; Ancient Dhrallic: *Impire Ainlanaiche*) was an ancient empire representing the Ancient Felimans (today's inhabitants of Catican City (Reprodesic: *Felima*), Vau'sena) in antiquity. As a polity, it included a large chunk of Ripiero. The empire practiced assimilationist policies and slavery, whilst mantaining an elective government form known as the *Senatus*. It originated from the city of Felima (today's Catican City), gradually spreading across different regions, which can be mostly attributed to its military strength and capabilities.

## History

There is no myth nor written record on how the city of Felima was founded. Although, it can be seen why the location of the city was a prime spot for settlement, resting on fairly adaptive climate within shoreline proximity. With this being said, there is evidence of many different harbors and settlements on the place, suggesting that it may have traded hands multiple occasions in the past.

### Regal Era

Felima's common history is thought to have begun around 650 BCE, when the first monarchal system of control and order seems to have originated inside the city of Felima. Politically, Felima was ruled by a *rex* who had absolute authority over the state and its dominions, aside from the advisory body of the *Senatus*, whose members were selected from influential and/or upper-class families. Over time, the Senatus would gain more influence over Feliman politics.

This era would see Felima expand into the region of modern-day Catican, which was initially called *Murelia*. Later on, this would be the first established province of the Felimans. During this time period, the Feliman Kingdom would absorb cultural, religious and intellectual ideas publicated by the Murelian peoples.

### Republican Era

Although the Feliman Kingdom was still ruled by a rex, the Senatus would effectively become its governing body. During this time period, the position of the rex was abolished and replaced by the *dictator* - a position that a person could be nominated for in times of strife and conflict. The dictator had unlimited power over the state and its functions.

Soon, Felima would become one of the dominant powers in the region by conquering modern Castaña and Valtinn, which were integrated into the provinces of *Castania Superior, Castania Inferior* and *Valtania*. Despite its triumphant military gains, the Feliman Republic would find itself to be in a period of internal strife nearing the end of the Republican Era. This would result in a slow shift to imperialism.

### Imperial Era

The era of the Feliman Republic would near its end with the election of Eligius Primulus, who was declared dictator during the Dhrallic War, which saw Felima territorially expand across the territory of the Ancient Dhrauls. Felima's quick expansion into Dhraul was secured by their military strength and due to an internal conflict happening inside the polities of Ancient Dhraul. Under Eligius' command, Felima would also gain the territories of the Falstanics, a group of polities west of modern-day Castaña, which also had colonies south of Ripiero. Having gained a reputation and caused dread in the Senatus, Eligius Primulus would see to it that his dictatorial powers never end. Eligius would declare himself *Imperator* in 25 BCE, effectively creating the Feliman Empire. His familial name would be included in the title of every following Feliman head of state.

His successor, Lysidamus Caesar, would see himself accrue a similar reputation. Emperor Lysidamus conquered the lands of modern-day southern Vau'sena, which would be integrated into the provinces of *Ailochis*, which would name the continent of Ailou; *Baemia Magna*, named after the Baemi tribe in close proximity; and *Catastria*. Lysidamus Caesar would openly oppose the senate in their attempts of limiting the emperor's power, which culminated in several failed assassination attempts on Lysidamus. After his death, the familial name Caesar would also be adopted in the titles of following emperors, and would be used as a loanword by several languages.

During its peak, the empire had conquered today's central area of both the Rutherland and Saint Alain, which would be incorporated into the provinces of *Hegica Inferior* and *Hegica Superior*. During the first century CE, the monotheistic religion of *Catulism* would increase in popularity among the Feliman population. Initially opposed and suppressed due to the clashing of the religion's doctrine with the classical polytheism of the Felimans, Catulists would ignite many controversies inside the empire. In 131 CE, the Feliman Senatus was pressured to legalize practicing the new religion.

### Weakening and collapse

With Norgon raids becoming more prominent in the north, Rutherish and Alainois tribes began seeking new homes inside the Feliman Empire. These people, who had been initially regarded as 'barbarians' by both the Ancient Dhrauls and Felimans, had now situated themselves inside the provinces of Hegica Superior and Hegica Inferior. This era saw an increasing trend of population fall in major cities, leaving some deserted. Around this time, the province of Baemia Magna would be raided by incursions from beyond the continent. Felima's emperor at the time, Simo (Primulus Caesar) Aemilius, would mostly disregard provincial matters, to which the governor of Baemia Magna, Citrio Bruscius, unofficially started a war for the title of Imperator.

The civil war that followed would see the empire lose more of its territory to foreign invaders. The Rutherish and Alainois tribes that settled in the border regions of the empire began migrating further into the empire's heartland, while pillaging and looting Feliman cities. After a series of colossal losses, the empire could not recuperate. Eventually, the province of Murelia was left to the *Cosonaans*, who entered Felima and sacked the city. The Feliman Empire would never rise again.

## Culture and influence

The Ancient Felimans had a very sophisticated culture and quick way of learning with a taste for the arts. During their early history, they frequently adopted the customs and beliefs of the cultures they had conquered. Nearing the Imperial Era, the empire would aim to assimilate foreign cultures inside their territories.

### Language

Reprodesic was the official spoken, administrative and written language of the Ancient Felimans. It is responsible for largely contributing to the language pool of Ripiero by creating the Late Reprodesic language branch, from which languages like Alainois, Castanian and Catsbourgish are derived from. The Reprodesic alphabet is also actively being used by non-Reprodesic languages, such as Kruhastan and Rutherish.

### Culture

Ancient Feliman culture itself, along with its religious and intellectual beliefs, was largely inspired by the Ancient Dhrauls. Similar to the influence of Reprodesic, the Feliman culture has largely influenced the cultures of the people which resided in the empire's territory. This was mostly a result of assimilationist policies instated by the empire to convert foreign barbarians into Feliman citizens. After the collapse of the empire, many former Feliman cities were repopulated or used as bases for new cities of the Middle Ages in Ripiero. The culture of Ancient Felima has also inspired and influenced nations outside of its immediate zone of influence.