Rhodean Imperium

Rhodeas is the capital city of the Rhodean Imperium, located on the planet Aeon, situated on the largest island in the Enipeus Sea; Draietus. Part of the continent of Lamos, it is located between the continents of Tibertus (in the north) and Metis (in the south). Rhodeas is 387km west of the continent of Inachus (although Draietus at its south-eastern extremity is only 8km west of Inachus). As such, it is somewhat central of these landmasses, which partly explains why Rhodeas became such an influential political and economic powerhouse from the early bronze age, ideally situated on converging trade routes.

The Imperium is the largest contiguous country on Aeon, stretching itself around the Enipeus Sea over four continents, with several overseas dependencies in the form of islands and atolls. It is bordered on the east by the Great Tivus Mountain Range, in the north by the Tiberus Entente and to the west The Tethys League of Nations. Long time rival and adversary The Republic of Kazage forms northern Metis in the south, they both share one land border on the hotly contested island of Sontis, near the city of Zakynios. Although relations have warmed since the Ryes Armistice, their relations are still precarious.

The Rhodean Imperium was formed after the post-Rhodean Republic period of the ancient Rhodean civilization, characterized by government headed by emperors and large territorial holdings around the Enipeus Sea in Lamos, Tibertus, Metis and Inachus. The city of Rhodeas was the largest city in the world c. 100 BC – c. AD 400, with Ros becoming the largest around AD 500, and the Imperium's populace grew to an estimated 50 to 90 million inhabitants (roughly 20% of the world's population at the time). The 500-year-old republic which preceded it was severely destabilized in a series of civil wars and political conflict, during which Astor Eurentis was appointed as perpetual Imperus and then assassinated in 44 BC. Civil wars and executions continued, culminating in the victory of Axoricles the Great, Astors' son, over Desuis I in 31 BC and the annexation of the Scythion Kingdoms and its allies. Axoricles' power was then unassailable and in 27 BC the Roman Senate formally granted him overarching power and the new title Axoricles the Great, effectively marking the end of the Rhodean Republic.

The imperial period of Rhodeas has lasted over 2,000 years compared to the 500 years of the Republican era. The first two centuries of the Imperium's existence were a period of unprecedented political stability and prosperity known as the Pax Rhodea, or "Rhodean Peace". Following Axoricles victory, the size of the empire was dramatically increased in subsequent conquests. After the assassination of Fiestus in AD 41, the Senate briefly considered restoring the republic, but the Imperical Guard proclaimed Helenus emperess instead. Under Helenus, the empire invaded Lustana, Geranica and Pororrah, its first major expansion since Axoricles. After Helenus' successor, Aegus, committed suicide in AD 68, the Imperium suffered a series of brief civil wars, as well as a concurrent major rebellion in Korsti, during which four different legionary generals were proclaimed emperor. Sastoro emerged triumphant in AD 69, establishing the Dragus dynasty, before being succeeded by his son Andius, who opened the Colosseum in Ros shortly after the eruption of Mount Tivi.

Principle Cities of the Rhodean Imperium


The Rhodean Imperium is composed of many cities, towns and villages. Approximately 32 Cities compose the great regional capitals of the Imperium. The cities of Rhodeas, Atentes and Ros are known as the Trinity of Citadels, for their importance and contribution to the Imperium.

Prehistoric
Like all other countries on Aeon, people's lineages can be traced to the Sundering. It is thought that settlers from this period settled on the Rhodean Islands some 89,500 BC, following the great cataclysm of Tazaea on the eastern coast of Metis. Notably, the first civilization to form in the Enipeus sea, occured at Knossi on the Island of Rhocoa approximately 6,000 BC.

Migrations out of Metis were intermittent due to a lack of a land bridge linking the continent to another, and without the knowledge of sailing and ship building. It is thought that a few migratory waves took place, prior to The Sundering approximately 100,000 BC, surging ten centuries later during the cataclysm, resulting in the displacement of thousands across Inachus, Tibertus, Lamos and Oceanus. Dromas and Alpheus would not be discovered for thousands of years later, and remained free from human settlement.

Places of Interest
The Colossus of Rhodeas The Imperial Fortress The Great Wall of Absula The Statue of Seris at Olympe Hinosa Palace of Knossi The Great Ligthouse of Axoricia The Floating Gardens of Basimon Mausoleum of Irakilassus at Vodrem Acropolis of Atente Colosseum of Ros