Agrigento
02-11-2003, 01:45
The Children of Umberto: A Formal History of Agrigento
On a fall day in Sicilia, three men at the Santa Luciano Museum sat examining a map drawn in brownish ink on a piece of ancient vellum. It was part of a volume that one of them, Pietro Ricardino, an antiquarian specializing in books and manuscripts, had recently purchased from a private collection in Pilano. He had visited that day to show the acquisition to the curator of medieval literature, me. Alessandro Vietore, the map curator was also present. The volume contained over 250 pages of Latin text and several medieval maps of Agrigento and the surrounding area. After reading through the volumes of this piece of literature I was inspired to write this story of the history of my nation.
Remian Empire, c. 1500 B.C.E. - 300 C.E.
In the time of antiquity our nation gave birth to the greatest military force the Eastern Azores had seen, the Remian Empire. Originating from Greco-Roman immigrants who arrived from Sicily, they settled in the modern day city of Sicilia. This mighty empire controlled the entire region at its height. It brought peace and order to the land and laid the framework for the nations that we see in the Azorean mainland today. Modern day masonry and architecture was all inspired in some way by the works of the Remians. Forever they have defined not only our nation, but all nations in the Eastern Azores.
The Age of Darkness, c. 500 - 1300 C.E.
After the fall of the Remian Empire the entire region was engulfed in a period of darkness and social disorder. Often called the Era of Chaos, the Age of Darkness saw the rise of feudalism and chivalry. The land was divided by local lords with no central form of government present. A large population increase resulted as more Sicilian immigrants arrived from the motherland.
It was towards the end of this period that we saw the arrival of the Catholic Church in Agrigento and Largeheadlandiaburg. Immediately the populations converted to this religion and it has remained a very important aspect of the two's cultures.
The 4 Kingdoms Period, c. 1300 - 1709 C.E.
Around 1300 C.E. the 4 Kingdoms period began. Present day Agrigento was divided up into 4 Kingdoms at this point, as they became dominant and began to add smaller lords to their control. The 4 Kingdoms were: The Kingdom of Varisca, the Kingdom of Manascala, the Kingdom of Giordanelli and the Kingdom of Castrolo. The citizens of these Kingdoms entered an age of enlightenment and social rebirth. The rise of the middle class, exploration of the Islandias, masterful inventions, and magnificent art defined this glorious era for everyone.
The Risorgimento, 1709-14 C.E.
The Kingdom of Varisca was lead by King Umberto I. In 1709 he began this unification process by marrying the beautiful daughter of King Luciano II of Giordanelli. The Two kingdoms were united under Variscan rule as King Luciano died later in that year. Varisca became the largest force in the region controlling the Island of Saldenia and all the land south of present day Cittamare.
The people of Castrolo grew very discontent with their king, King Tomaso VI. His reign was marred with blood and brutality. Fighting against an oppressive monarchy and outrageous taxes the group known as the Sons of Agrigento began its agenda of overthrowing the corrupt king. They gained popular support of the people of Castrolo by commiting innumerous charitable acts. They knew however that even with the people on there side they stood no chance of overthrowing the king and his soldiers. They sent messages to the King Umberto I of Varisca asking for aid in this revolution. The cunning young King saw his opportunity to add to the his land and took it. With the people of Castrolo supporting him, his vast army laid waste to that of King Tomaso. Though all surrendering soldiers were treated very fairly and were granted citizenship in the new Kingdom. King Umberto I new that he was the master of the Agrigentian Peninsula so he decided to rename his empire to the Kingdom of Agrigento.
The only kingdom left was Manascala to the far northwest. The people of this kingdom, as their ancestors today, were a mix of Agrigentians and Irish (from Largeheadlandiaburg). They were the most devout followers of the Catholic church in the whole of the Peninsula. This granted them fervor that was lacking in the armies of Castrolo, who were mostly Arab mercenaries from Aghrabel. When King Umberto I launched his campaign to take Manascala in 1711 he was faced with great defeat. His armies, though highly loyal and well trained, were no match for the guerilla fighters of Manascala, especially in there own land. Two years went by, and in 1713 the army of Agrigento was completely rebuilt. King Umberto I knew that even with his army back at full strength he could not directly send them back into Manascala without facing overwhelming loses. He devised a plan that would enable him to take this place with barely a fight. He knew their greatest weakness was also their greatest strength, the Catholic Church. By use of charity and donations he quickly gained the favor of the ArchBishop of Agrigento, Paolo Deloglio. With the Church at his side he quickly was able to influence the people of Manascala, as well has their king. The people fell in love with King Umberto I, who through the church, they learned was a magnanimous and benevolent ruler. When King Cologiero III of Manascala died in 1714 and left no apparent heir the people unanimously chose the rule of King Umberto. In July of 1714 the unification of Agrigento was officially completed.
The Colonial Era, 1714-1903 C.E.
Once Agrigento was united, like with the Remian Empire, it arose to become the dominant nation of the Eastern Azores. King Umberto I was a great leader, both militarily and politically. In 1765 when he died at the age of 79 the nation was in its glory. His oldest son, Umberto II, took control soon thereafter. He had inspirations of military conquest too, but unlike his father's, his were born out of greed. He wanted to completely conquer and subjugate the Islandias to his will. His war was bloody and unjust, with economic hard times as the repercussion. He almost succeeded in his quest but was utterly defeated at the battle of Hu'kasa by the newly formed armies of East Islandia. Agrigento did gain many things from this war, one being the addition of North Islandia as a colony. This war was later known as the First Islandian War. After years of depression King Umberto II died at the age of 53 in his Sicilian Palace. For years the following Kings, Umbertos III-VI, Emilio III, and Roberto IV struggled to revive their once blossoming nation, turn sour by conquest. With the coming of Industrialization the power of the Monarchy slowly died. Umberto VII, the last king of Agrigento, established the tenets of Democracy we see today. He left no sons, but two daughters at his death. Those two daughters graciously gave up the crown and ended the reign of Variscan Kings in 1896. They still have family alive these days, and though they have no power they are celebrities and beloved in the eyes of the people.
The Modern Era, 1903 C.E. - Present (2006 C.E.)
- In 1902 the Senate of Agrigento, freshly formed, created the Constitution of Agrigento and announced separation of powers by creating the Presidency. Ubaldo Pianelli was elected first President of the Republic in 1903.
- In 1936 the Agrigentian High Command was created as a joint branch service to provide central control to the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.
- In 1941 the Great Azorean War began
- In 1953 SANCOM and SAFCOM is created.
- In 1961 The Azorean war officially ended..
- In 1979 President Giovanni Verita visited East Islandia and officially apologized for the crimes of Umberto II.
- In 1994 The Eastern Azores Strategic Military Alliance was formed.
- In 2002 The Second Islandian War started.
- In 2005 We officially withdraw all troops, ending our involvement in the Second Islandian War
http://www.angelfire.com/ill/agrigento/Map.GIF
Agrigento is located off the Coast of Spain, near the RL Azore Islands.
On a fall day in Sicilia, three men at the Santa Luciano Museum sat examining a map drawn in brownish ink on a piece of ancient vellum. It was part of a volume that one of them, Pietro Ricardino, an antiquarian specializing in books and manuscripts, had recently purchased from a private collection in Pilano. He had visited that day to show the acquisition to the curator of medieval literature, me. Alessandro Vietore, the map curator was also present. The volume contained over 250 pages of Latin text and several medieval maps of Agrigento and the surrounding area. After reading through the volumes of this piece of literature I was inspired to write this story of the history of my nation.
Remian Empire, c. 1500 B.C.E. - 300 C.E.
In the time of antiquity our nation gave birth to the greatest military force the Eastern Azores had seen, the Remian Empire. Originating from Greco-Roman immigrants who arrived from Sicily, they settled in the modern day city of Sicilia. This mighty empire controlled the entire region at its height. It brought peace and order to the land and laid the framework for the nations that we see in the Azorean mainland today. Modern day masonry and architecture was all inspired in some way by the works of the Remians. Forever they have defined not only our nation, but all nations in the Eastern Azores.
The Age of Darkness, c. 500 - 1300 C.E.
After the fall of the Remian Empire the entire region was engulfed in a period of darkness and social disorder. Often called the Era of Chaos, the Age of Darkness saw the rise of feudalism and chivalry. The land was divided by local lords with no central form of government present. A large population increase resulted as more Sicilian immigrants arrived from the motherland.
It was towards the end of this period that we saw the arrival of the Catholic Church in Agrigento and Largeheadlandiaburg. Immediately the populations converted to this religion and it has remained a very important aspect of the two's cultures.
The 4 Kingdoms Period, c. 1300 - 1709 C.E.
Around 1300 C.E. the 4 Kingdoms period began. Present day Agrigento was divided up into 4 Kingdoms at this point, as they became dominant and began to add smaller lords to their control. The 4 Kingdoms were: The Kingdom of Varisca, the Kingdom of Manascala, the Kingdom of Giordanelli and the Kingdom of Castrolo. The citizens of these Kingdoms entered an age of enlightenment and social rebirth. The rise of the middle class, exploration of the Islandias, masterful inventions, and magnificent art defined this glorious era for everyone.
The Risorgimento, 1709-14 C.E.
The Kingdom of Varisca was lead by King Umberto I. In 1709 he began this unification process by marrying the beautiful daughter of King Luciano II of Giordanelli. The Two kingdoms were united under Variscan rule as King Luciano died later in that year. Varisca became the largest force in the region controlling the Island of Saldenia and all the land south of present day Cittamare.
The people of Castrolo grew very discontent with their king, King Tomaso VI. His reign was marred with blood and brutality. Fighting against an oppressive monarchy and outrageous taxes the group known as the Sons of Agrigento began its agenda of overthrowing the corrupt king. They gained popular support of the people of Castrolo by commiting innumerous charitable acts. They knew however that even with the people on there side they stood no chance of overthrowing the king and his soldiers. They sent messages to the King Umberto I of Varisca asking for aid in this revolution. The cunning young King saw his opportunity to add to the his land and took it. With the people of Castrolo supporting him, his vast army laid waste to that of King Tomaso. Though all surrendering soldiers were treated very fairly and were granted citizenship in the new Kingdom. King Umberto I new that he was the master of the Agrigentian Peninsula so he decided to rename his empire to the Kingdom of Agrigento.
The only kingdom left was Manascala to the far northwest. The people of this kingdom, as their ancestors today, were a mix of Agrigentians and Irish (from Largeheadlandiaburg). They were the most devout followers of the Catholic church in the whole of the Peninsula. This granted them fervor that was lacking in the armies of Castrolo, who were mostly Arab mercenaries from Aghrabel. When King Umberto I launched his campaign to take Manascala in 1711 he was faced with great defeat. His armies, though highly loyal and well trained, were no match for the guerilla fighters of Manascala, especially in there own land. Two years went by, and in 1713 the army of Agrigento was completely rebuilt. King Umberto I knew that even with his army back at full strength he could not directly send them back into Manascala without facing overwhelming loses. He devised a plan that would enable him to take this place with barely a fight. He knew their greatest weakness was also their greatest strength, the Catholic Church. By use of charity and donations he quickly gained the favor of the ArchBishop of Agrigento, Paolo Deloglio. With the Church at his side he quickly was able to influence the people of Manascala, as well has their king. The people fell in love with King Umberto I, who through the church, they learned was a magnanimous and benevolent ruler. When King Cologiero III of Manascala died in 1714 and left no apparent heir the people unanimously chose the rule of King Umberto. In July of 1714 the unification of Agrigento was officially completed.
The Colonial Era, 1714-1903 C.E.
Once Agrigento was united, like with the Remian Empire, it arose to become the dominant nation of the Eastern Azores. King Umberto I was a great leader, both militarily and politically. In 1765 when he died at the age of 79 the nation was in its glory. His oldest son, Umberto II, took control soon thereafter. He had inspirations of military conquest too, but unlike his father's, his were born out of greed. He wanted to completely conquer and subjugate the Islandias to his will. His war was bloody and unjust, with economic hard times as the repercussion. He almost succeeded in his quest but was utterly defeated at the battle of Hu'kasa by the newly formed armies of East Islandia. Agrigento did gain many things from this war, one being the addition of North Islandia as a colony. This war was later known as the First Islandian War. After years of depression King Umberto II died at the age of 53 in his Sicilian Palace. For years the following Kings, Umbertos III-VI, Emilio III, and Roberto IV struggled to revive their once blossoming nation, turn sour by conquest. With the coming of Industrialization the power of the Monarchy slowly died. Umberto VII, the last king of Agrigento, established the tenets of Democracy we see today. He left no sons, but two daughters at his death. Those two daughters graciously gave up the crown and ended the reign of Variscan Kings in 1896. They still have family alive these days, and though they have no power they are celebrities and beloved in the eyes of the people.
The Modern Era, 1903 C.E. - Present (2006 C.E.)
- In 1902 the Senate of Agrigento, freshly formed, created the Constitution of Agrigento and announced separation of powers by creating the Presidency. Ubaldo Pianelli was elected first President of the Republic in 1903.
- In 1936 the Agrigentian High Command was created as a joint branch service to provide central control to the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.
- In 1941 the Great Azorean War began
- In 1953 SANCOM and SAFCOM is created.
- In 1961 The Azorean war officially ended..
- In 1979 President Giovanni Verita visited East Islandia and officially apologized for the crimes of Umberto II.
- In 1994 The Eastern Azores Strategic Military Alliance was formed.
- In 2002 The Second Islandian War started.
- In 2005 We officially withdraw all troops, ending our involvement in the Second Islandian War
http://www.angelfire.com/ill/agrigento/Map.GIF
Agrigento is located off the Coast of Spain, near the RL Azore Islands.