Icaria

**Icaria** is one of the territories of Equestria and one of the three nations that came together to form it, together with Ceria and Gaia. It is located in northern Equestria.

Historically it has also been known as the Pegasus Lands and its population as the Pegasus Tribe.

## History

Icaria was founded as a monarchy and became a stratocracy after a coup in the 3rd century.

## Politics

Gaia is a stratocracy within Equestria, where the functions of the government are fulfilled by the military. The leader holds the title of general. At the time of the foundation of Equestria, the leader was General Hurricane.

## Military

Icaria's military relies on the flight capability of their units, who can use their wings to fly while using a weapon with their front hooves. Between this and the high speeds enabled by flight, hit and run tactics are preferred by the Icarian army.

The top rank of the military is known as Pterarch (equivalent to Air Marshal in the Equestrian Royal Military). The rank immediately below is known as Antipterarch, and the next one is known as Ypopterarch.

## Demographics

Most of the population of Icaria is made up of Pegasi.

Icaria also has a large Griffons diaspora. Equestrian Griffons usually settle in Icaria which is more adapted to winged creatures than other regions.

## Culture

### Architecture

Pegasi cities have fewer stairs than others as most inhabitants have flying capabilities; however, all parts are still accessible by walking as foals, elders, the disabled and non-pegasi may be unable to fly.

### Art

Icaria is known for large art drawn on the ground such that it is best viewed from a high altitude. This ground art is made using mostly chalk as well as other minerals for color.

### Entertainment

Aerial acrobatics and racing are common entertainments in Icaria. Hippodromes are built for these functions.

### Religion

Ancient Icarians worshipped a pantheon of alicorns, which were believed to control different aspects of nature, often related to weather. Icarian religion was an inspiration for later Equestrian Alicorn Worship, which is more astronomical in nature.

Icarian religion was influential in law, politics and everyday life. When an Icarian was condemned to death, they would be bound in iron chains and left in a field during a thunderstorm. If they survived, it was considered that the alicorns of the storm had forgiven them and they would be freed.

#### Mythology

Icarian myths include the origin of the rainbowberry and the one of iron forging.

Before the advent of iron smelting that enabled obtaining iron from ore, the main source of iron was the native iron found in meteors. This iron was of significance for Icarians as it was stronger than bronze (and was thus used for making strong weapons, shields and armor) and had also fallen from the sky. It was believed to be a mythical metal which could only be found in the Planet of Iron, and that it could only be obtained by Pony#Alicorns who could fly outside of Equus and to the Planet and bring back the precious metal from it.

Iron smelting rendered these myths obsolete as iron became possible to obtain from its abundant ore, but the association of the Planet of Iron with weaponry and warfare remains strong and the idea of an ancient Alicorn that could bring materials of war persists in Icarian culture. Modern versions of the myth state that an Alicorn didn't bring iron, but rather the knowledge of the techniques to smelt iron or steel, being responsible for the development of metallurgy rather than being rendered obsolete by it.