Olympia

Olympia, officially the Grand Duchy of Olympia, is a constitutional Monarchy in Western Calderia, bordering Treka, Chuukango and Sereine. Founded in 1710, out of a rebellion against Minachian rule, the Olympian government was concieved as a matriarchy, imposing a feudal system for the vast majority of its early history. This changed with the constant, influencial trade from Treka, prompting a swift governmental reform in the mid-late 19th century. The Lykaios Dynasty has maintained a continuous rule throughout the last three hundred years, recently cerebrating their tricentennial anniversary.

The Grand Duchy maintains a strong federal system, with a healthy democracy, much like most of Calderia, though maintains a small military.

## History

The history of Olympia can be divided into four main time periods. According to Olympian historians, the 'Prehistoric Era', 'Feudal Olympia', 'Colonial Olympia', and the 'Modern Age' are the most major epochs of Olympian history.

### Prehistory

Originally, the first inhabitants of Olympia were native Calderians who inhabited the region around 16,000 years ago. Olympian scientists have not been able to determine an accurate numerical estimate for the number of native Calderians that settled within the region. However, scholars generally believe that 1.5 million native Calderians settled in various parts of Olympia. However, most historical artifacts have origins in the southeast, where the mediterranean coastal plains allowed for fishing and successful harvests. It is believed that vast numbers of native Calderians settled in this area for these reasons. Although some groups inhabited the Central Olympian hills near the base of some small mountains, there are limited artifacts that provide substantial evidence that large numbers of native Calderians inhabited the area.

Little is known about the native Calderians outside of their local religious beliefs, language, and some cultural traditions. The native Calderians worshiped a pantheon of eight gods who profoundly shaped their life experiences. The most notable deities known include Khathos, god of the elements, Vanera, goddess of the harvest, Atris, goddess of knowledge, and Kashena, goddess of the hunt. According to tradition, each deity has their own requirements for sacrifices and treat humans in different manners. For instance, Vanera had more sympathy for humans in their struggle to develop. Cultural anthropologists have determined this cultural knowledge has only been preserved through oral tradition.

#### Settlers from Remus

About 2,700 years ago, a sizable amount of Remus immigrants settled within the northeast. Originally, the exact number of Remus newcomers was relatively unknown. Olympian demographers previously believed the number of immigrants totaled 275,000 individuals. However, newly excavated villages and uncovered gravesites have made these professionals adjust their estimate to 300,000 migrants. Remus settlers established small villages with nearby adequate plots of farmland.

Most immigrants sought a quiet life in agriculture. This was determined through the large amount of mud brick houses adjacent to their fields on the outskirts of the village. A minority of immigrants were livestock traders, blacksmiths, among other developing occupations. These members of the population lived in rough cut stone abodes that featured wooden supports overlayed with clay tiles. An even smaller number of individuals lived as religious leaders, occupying smooth stone residences with similar wooden supports and clay tiles. However, the materials used were made from higher quality raw resources.

The Remus immigrants had a simple social hierarchy that was reflective of how they valued wealth, religion, and career prestige. According to ancient texts, the highest ranking individuals were those of religious significance called the 'Devout,' followed by the Upper Class, the Middle Class, Lower Class, and Slavemen.

##### The Devout

The Devout worshiped a pantheon of six goddesses, including Kyhphine, goddess of wisdom, Zarenta, goddess of war, and Thamis, goddess of light. Each member was assigned a specific goddess to commune with on a personal level for their lifetime. Once a year, each member would isolate themselves in a shrine to meditate upon the wisdom of their respective deity for one week. At the end of their sacred week, each member was welcomed back with a new white chiton to symbolize their new spiritual purity and knowledge. Although each member of the Devout became deeply connected to their assigned goddess, all members worshipped the other deities in public offerings and rituals.

To become a member, individuals must have been female and have had an enlightening spiritual moment. Men were forbidden to serve in such high roles of honor because it was said that females were made the higher sex. The Devout limited their number of members to a few hundred per village.

The Devout placed little importance on accumulating financial wealth, as they were to lead quiet lives. However, villages honored them with aesthetically pleasing and well built shelters. They received a moderate sum of Drachma in order to participate within the local economy.

The leader of the local Devout assembly was said to have served as both village leader and religious guide. However, village records state two high ranking members often split the responsibilities, co-ruling to ensure village stability.

##### The Upper Class

The upper class consisted of Drachma lenders, bladesmiths, government officials, and militia guard captains. Individuals could only join the upper class if they possessed an amount of wealth greater than 1,500 drachma (equivalent to a well made house and a half) and had an occupation of considerable significance. Members of the upper class only associated themselves with lower class citizens to hire them for simple housework. However, the upper class considerably favored the middle class due to their essential occupations and large numbers which influence government decisions.

Most upper class citizens made between six and eight drachma a day, depending on their occupation and difficulty of their work. The majority of upper class citizens lived in the smooth stone residences with clay tiles and wooden supports. However, the materials used were less exotic and were of lower quality than those used in the construction of houses for the Devout.

##### The Middle Class

Livestock traders, farmers, blacksmiths, and people of similar essential trades characterized the middle class of the Remus villages. Most middle class citizens were farmers. However, some took up more advanced trades that paid slightly more. Individuals were considered part of the middle class if they possessed wealth greater than 500 drachma, but less than 1,500. Their trades were less important to establishing middle class status as apprenticeships were common.

Some members of the middle class had the privilege to become an apprentice of an upper class aristocrat. Depending on their skill and success, these individuals were able to become members of the upper class and have a well paying occupation.

Middle class citizens typically made between three and six drachma a day during market hours. Most lived in the rough stone abodes made with wood and lower quality stone from the surrounding area. However, farmers occupied the mud brick houses that heavily populated the outskirts of villages.

##### The Lower Class

Most members of the lower class were household caretakers of upper class estates and former slavemen. According to Olympian ancient texts, there is not much information regarding lower class lifestyles and culture. However, lower class individuals were paid between two and three drachma a day for their simple work as scribes and servants. Those who were employed occupied a small, but comfortable room in their employer's homes. Those who did not owned small mud brick houses nearby village centers. These small residences often were made next to each other, almost making small ghetto communities.

##### The Slavemen

The slavemen are only mentioned as hard laborers within old texts. Historians believe most individuals in this class were convicted criminals or enslaved individuals who were incorporated into Remus society. They earned no pay and resided in the darkest and smallest room within their master's residence. A few slavemen were known to gain their freedom due to obedience and satisfactory workmanship.

#### The Olympian Adoption

About 1,200 years ago, the Remus village leaders gathered together to commemorate their largest collective harvest and 1,500 year existence within the land. As this event took place at Kyhphine's Tears, a waterfall at the base of Mount Olympia, the Remus leaders decided to adopt the ethnic demonym 'Olympian' and carve a new identity for their future.

### Feudal Olympia (630-1493)

#### Spiridon Mastrolis and the Bloody Table (629)

An abnormally wet winter coupled with harvests that yielded fewer crops prompted the Remus village leaders to gather at Village Kárvouno. The discussion turned sour when most leaders invoked past debts to extract what little crops other villages had. Tolis Argyrakos, Head of Village Kárvouno, concluded that Village Synkomidí owed him enough grain to get his village through the next planting season due to Spiridon Mastrolis' son raping Argyrakos's daughter. Argyrakos promised that he would share what grain was left in his storehouse from the previous harvest season with the rest of villages, which was received positively. However, Mastrolis who was the Head of Village Synkomidí, had insisted he paid Argyrakos back in full. He was so infuriated that he took his hunting knife out of his leather belt and stabbed Argyrakos' hand.

Mastrolis' action prompted a division among village leaders. Argyrakos declared war against Mastrolis for his refusal to cooperate and serve his fellow countrymen. To rally other leaders to his cause, Argyrakos promised to split the Mastrolis fortune evenly to all who swore an oath of allegiance to him. Seven of the thirteen village leaders offered him their swords, while the other six backed Mastrolis. These two factions birthed the two major clans that have been prominent throughout Olympian history. Clan Lykaios still exists today, while Clan Vouvali has dissolved into 'houses'.

#### Founding of Clan Lykaios (630)

To unite and bind his seven allies to him, Argyrakos called for a large banquet that doubled as a meeting. Gathering in the large dining hall that was adjoined to his house, Argyrakos encouraged camaraderie by allowing the best livestock to be roasted and the best wine to be served. At the end of the dinner, each of the seven village leaders who swore oaths gave Argyrakos their swords in an official act of loyalty. In response to this act, Argyrakos declared that the eight villages were now a 'clan' and declared that they would tear their enemies' flesh from their bones. Therefore, Argyrakos changed his last name to 'Lykaois' and named the clan after his new last name. Argyrakos' other family members, including his wife, Tasia Garalli, and daughter, Katia, took this last name as well.

#### Founding of Clan Vouvali (630)

Mastrolis organized a small dinner to discuss unity and loyalty with his six new allies.

### Founding and Minachian Settlement (1663)

Olympia officially began to evolve into an actual state over the next four centuries. The presence of Minachian settlers in

### Rebellion (1770-1778)

#### Opening Phases

The rebellion started in 1770

faffa

## Demographics

### Ethnic Groups

10% of Olympia's population is Trekan, 5% are Corusconian, with 3% being Serenian, 2% being native Calderian. People of Minachian descent make up 35% of the population, 50% are composed of Olympians, with 5% other.

### Religion

40% Apostolic Christians, 25% Congregationalists, 10% Pagan, 5% Baptists, 1% Jewish, 19% non religious.