Belschaft
15-09-2008, 19:47
The Theocracy of Ahura Mazdan
Short Name: Ahura Mazdan
Government: Theocracy
Demonym: Mazdanian
Official language: Mazda
Currency: 1 Gold Shekel = 7 Silver Dhaka = 23 Bronze Herat
Main Industries: fishing, wine growing, acricultutre, ship building, silver mining
Trade Goods: Wine, Ships, Silver
Trading Partners:
- Celtica (Wine and Silverwork/Iron and Furs)
- Hellen (open trade rights)
- Santheres (silver/purple dye - provisions for more later)
State Religion: Diodorianism
Main God: Diodorus – God of Life and Death, Day and Night, Lord of the Eternal Cycle
Secondry Gods: Actis (God of War), Tenage (God of Fertility), Triopas (God of Proseprity)
Population: 380,000
Location: Ahura Mazdan (http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/6816/mapyonc6.png) (Blue)
History
Founded over a thousand years ago Ahura Mazdan is an ancient city of Temples, Palaces and Poverty. Over the years it has been a Kingdom, a Republic and most recently a Theocracy. While the upper classes of priests and freemen enjoy great wealth an luxury, at a cost of civic service, the lower serf classes live in slums, and are used as cheap disposable infantry during war, and labour in peace.
Originally founded in 1800 BCE, the city of Ahura Mazdan was the creation of immigrants from neighbouring Asia Minor. They brought with them their history and traditions, and also their gods. However over the years and subsequent waves of immigration from Greece and Asia the population has become mixed, expressing clear Hellenistic and Persian traits. This has penetrated every level of Ahura Mazdan society, ranging from the Religion, to the Military to it’s culture.
The exact history of Ahura Mazdan is vague and unclear. It is believed that it was a Kingdom, with a number of despotic Kings up until roughly the year 1000 BCE. At this point a great plague was believed to have devastated the Island of Rhodes, killing many people including the royal family. This was followed by a fire which destroyed much of the city. After this it was rebuilt with more of a Hellenistic feel than before, and was governed as a Republic, one of the first in the world.
This was too last for more than four hundred years, only collapsing in 583 BCE when the people overthrew the tyrant Draco the Cruel, and the turned to the priests for guidance. Since then the city has been a Theocracy and has grown in wealth and power, taking control of the whole Island form several smaller neighbouring city states, who have since been assimilated into Ahura Mazdan.
In 400 BCE Ahura Mazdan stands as a rising power in the Aegean, with a capable military and navy, a secure Island Fortress and sufficient wealth to support their aims of regional dominance.
Society
The society Ahura Mazdan is a mixed one. Generations of Greek and Persian immigrants has warped the city states culture, with it being predominately Hellenistic one century, and Asian the next. Currently in 400 BCE it is a mixture, leaning towards Persian dominance, though that could change.
A clear caste system exists in the city and it’s territories. The Priests are at the elite of the city, acting as administrators, holy men and diplomats. The Head of the city is the High Priest of Diodorus, Acorus of Ahura Mazdan. He his technically a dictator, but a largely benevolent one.
The second class consists of the Wealthy Upper classes, both Greek and Asian. They are generally merchants and landowners, and are required to do military service when the city state is threatened. They provide their own equipment, wich is naturally the best available, and form the military elite.
The third class consists of skilled craftsmen – Metal workers, Farmers, Ship builders – and foreigners, who hold a position of reasonable respect and prominence in the city. The middle class is also required to serve in the military, and can usually afford to pay for decent equipment. Foreigners in the city may be required to serve if they have settled for a period of time but not become a citizen.
The fourth class is the normal people, who live in slums and villages. They act as basic labourers, working on farms, and in mines and shipyards. They are naturally required to serve in the military, acting as the first disposable wave. They are given little more than a spear and wooden shield and herded into battle.
Slavery has been outlawed in Ahura Mazdan as it is viewed as immoral in the eyes of Diodorus.
Culture
The culture of Ahura Mazdan is a mixture of Hellenistic and Persian, with it’s artwork, culture and literature being a mixture of both. Similarly the religion of Diodorianism is a mixture Greek and Eastern relegions, and the language of Mazda is a similar mix of two diferent ones. The Jewerlry and Sculture of Ahura Mazdan is known for it’s beauty and complexity, being of the finest silver work.
Military
The Military of Ahura Mazdan is an quite unusual. As an Island city state the majority of threats to the city come from the Sea nad it has never seen the need to maitain a large standin army, instead relying on firstly on Mercenaries and then in times of need it's citizens. Few of the people are practicing soldiers - only a fe Elite troops train regularly. Therefore the majority of it's man power is drawn from North Africa and Asia Minor, where many people - largely Libyans - are willing to serve in return for money, land and citizenship. They make effective, if sometimes unreliable, soldiers. The only downside is a tendacy to save their own skins in times of need when cornered, and Mercenaries have been known to flee or even defect when faced with overwelming numbers.
Army (Standing)
Total: 5508
Temple Guard: 200
Citadel Guard: 1200
Mounted Citadel Guard: 250
Libyan Pikemen: 3400
Libyan Cavalry: 450
Elephantes: 8
Army (Reserve)
Total: 11800
Household Cavalry: 600
Hippakontistai: 400
Pezoi: 4000
Sparabara: 5000
Archers: 1000
Peltasts:800
Navy
Infantry
Temple Guard (http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/947/seleucidhypaspistgq9.jpg)
The Elite of the Elite in the Ahura Mazdan army, the Temple Guard are uterly loyal and fanatical thnaks to their faith Diodorus. They are recruited from any class in Ahura Mazdan society and their equipment and training is provided by the Priests. In return they agree to a livetime of service, first as active soldiers and gaurds and then with ceremonial duties. I their old age they are retired and provided fro by the Temples, and thanks to their service they are gaurenteed passage to the afterlife. As Elite soldiers they will never break and flee from battle, and can be counted on to hold the line, no matter what.
Citadel Guard (http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/1439/athenianhopliteub3.jpg)
Recruited from the second class of Ahura Mazdan soceity they are the city's oficial guard, but are also Elite soldiers. While they lack the Temple Guards fanaticism they are still an efective fighting force, and are the only full time Mazdanian soldiers.
Pezoi (http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/3337/renderspartiataiphallanhr4.jpg)
Recruited mainly from the second class of Mazdanian soceity the Pezoi are the main Infantry of the army, and fight in Phalanx formation like the Temple and Citadel Guard. They must provide their own equipment when required of them - they are part time citizen soldiers - and while it is not of the quality of the Citadel Guards it is still of excellent quality, the equal for most hopolite equipment.
Sparabara (http://www.wmwiki.com/hosted/xgm/xgmreadme/MERC_EASTERN_INFANTRY_INFO.png)
Recruited from the third and fourth class of Mazdanian soceity Sparabara serve the role of cannon fodder in the army. Handed a long spear and wicker shield by their commanders they are taught to line up and march. After that they are thrown into battle to make up the armys numbers and wear down opposing forces.
Ranged
Archers (http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/2043/archeraz5.jpg)
Peltasts (http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i13/_SoR_/d8640c96.jpg)
Cavalry
Mounted Citadel Guard (http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/7977/hieraileiz1.jpg)
The Citadel Guard are some times required to fight on horseback. For this purpose they maintain a small number of the finest horses available, and operate as the heavy shock cavalry of Ahura Mazdan, brwaking the enemy line when required, and the rest of the time seeing of any would be flanking forces. They are however even fewer in number than the citadel guard, making the mercenary cavalry an apsolute nesescity.
Household Cavalry (http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/1647/hetairoiuk8.jpg)
The Household Cavalry are drawn from the second class, and consist of men capable of suplying their own equipment and horse. They are simillar to the Pezoi in being citizen soldiers, only being called up in times of direct need.
Hippakontistai (http://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/koinon-hellenon/kh_hippakontistai.gif)
The Hippakontistai are the light cavalry of Ahura Mazdan, and are armed with javelins and small shields and swords. They are recruited from those in the third class who own horses, and only serve when needed.
Mercenaries
Libyan Cavalry (http://rtw.heavengames.com/rtw/info/units/carthaginian_sacred_band_cavalry_info.jpg)
Due to the lack of a profesional Mazdanian Army, mercenaries paly a large role in Ahura Mazdan's army. Libyans play the largest part in this, recruited and shiped in form North Africa to Rhodes where they are trained and equiped. I return the recieve money land and citizenship. Libyan Cavalry are medium cavalry capable of engaging enemy cavalry and skirmishers, and assaulting the flanks and rear of the enemy.
Libyan Pikemen (http://rtw.heavengames.com/rtw/info/units/libyan_spearmen_info.jpg)
Due to the lack of a profesional Mazdanian Army, mercenaries paly a large role in Ahura Mazdan's army. Libyans play the largest part in this, recruited and shiped in form North Africa to Rhodes where they are trained and equiped. I return the recieve money land and citizenship. Libyan Pikemen are medium infantry and play the role of the infantry of the line in Mazdainian forces, capable of facing of againt most enemy infantry if properly suported.
Elephantes (http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/1494/armoredelephants3el0.jpg)
A curosity in the Mazdanian amry, these Elephants where imported from North Africa with considerable dificulty to take part in a campaign in Asia Minor. They where largely inefective, and most of them where killed in the fightingagainst a larger neighbour, in the process helping gain a victory for Ahura Mazdan. A few still remain as an elite shock force and boasting point.
Navy
Biremes (http://www.armchairgeneral.com/wordpress/wp-content/features/salamis/trireme.jpg)
Triremes (http://www.rodlangton.com/ancimages/aphlater.gif)
Pentere's (http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/3408/triere2zg5.jpg)
OOC- Will be edited with more information as I go
Short Name: Ahura Mazdan
Government: Theocracy
Demonym: Mazdanian
Official language: Mazda
Currency: 1 Gold Shekel = 7 Silver Dhaka = 23 Bronze Herat
Main Industries: fishing, wine growing, acricultutre, ship building, silver mining
Trade Goods: Wine, Ships, Silver
Trading Partners:
- Celtica (Wine and Silverwork/Iron and Furs)
- Hellen (open trade rights)
- Santheres (silver/purple dye - provisions for more later)
State Religion: Diodorianism
Main God: Diodorus – God of Life and Death, Day and Night, Lord of the Eternal Cycle
Secondry Gods: Actis (God of War), Tenage (God of Fertility), Triopas (God of Proseprity)
Population: 380,000
Location: Ahura Mazdan (http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/6816/mapyonc6.png) (Blue)
History
Founded over a thousand years ago Ahura Mazdan is an ancient city of Temples, Palaces and Poverty. Over the years it has been a Kingdom, a Republic and most recently a Theocracy. While the upper classes of priests and freemen enjoy great wealth an luxury, at a cost of civic service, the lower serf classes live in slums, and are used as cheap disposable infantry during war, and labour in peace.
Originally founded in 1800 BCE, the city of Ahura Mazdan was the creation of immigrants from neighbouring Asia Minor. They brought with them their history and traditions, and also their gods. However over the years and subsequent waves of immigration from Greece and Asia the population has become mixed, expressing clear Hellenistic and Persian traits. This has penetrated every level of Ahura Mazdan society, ranging from the Religion, to the Military to it’s culture.
The exact history of Ahura Mazdan is vague and unclear. It is believed that it was a Kingdom, with a number of despotic Kings up until roughly the year 1000 BCE. At this point a great plague was believed to have devastated the Island of Rhodes, killing many people including the royal family. This was followed by a fire which destroyed much of the city. After this it was rebuilt with more of a Hellenistic feel than before, and was governed as a Republic, one of the first in the world.
This was too last for more than four hundred years, only collapsing in 583 BCE when the people overthrew the tyrant Draco the Cruel, and the turned to the priests for guidance. Since then the city has been a Theocracy and has grown in wealth and power, taking control of the whole Island form several smaller neighbouring city states, who have since been assimilated into Ahura Mazdan.
In 400 BCE Ahura Mazdan stands as a rising power in the Aegean, with a capable military and navy, a secure Island Fortress and sufficient wealth to support their aims of regional dominance.
Society
The society Ahura Mazdan is a mixed one. Generations of Greek and Persian immigrants has warped the city states culture, with it being predominately Hellenistic one century, and Asian the next. Currently in 400 BCE it is a mixture, leaning towards Persian dominance, though that could change.
A clear caste system exists in the city and it’s territories. The Priests are at the elite of the city, acting as administrators, holy men and diplomats. The Head of the city is the High Priest of Diodorus, Acorus of Ahura Mazdan. He his technically a dictator, but a largely benevolent one.
The second class consists of the Wealthy Upper classes, both Greek and Asian. They are generally merchants and landowners, and are required to do military service when the city state is threatened. They provide their own equipment, wich is naturally the best available, and form the military elite.
The third class consists of skilled craftsmen – Metal workers, Farmers, Ship builders – and foreigners, who hold a position of reasonable respect and prominence in the city. The middle class is also required to serve in the military, and can usually afford to pay for decent equipment. Foreigners in the city may be required to serve if they have settled for a period of time but not become a citizen.
The fourth class is the normal people, who live in slums and villages. They act as basic labourers, working on farms, and in mines and shipyards. They are naturally required to serve in the military, acting as the first disposable wave. They are given little more than a spear and wooden shield and herded into battle.
Slavery has been outlawed in Ahura Mazdan as it is viewed as immoral in the eyes of Diodorus.
Culture
The culture of Ahura Mazdan is a mixture of Hellenistic and Persian, with it’s artwork, culture and literature being a mixture of both. Similarly the religion of Diodorianism is a mixture Greek and Eastern relegions, and the language of Mazda is a similar mix of two diferent ones. The Jewerlry and Sculture of Ahura Mazdan is known for it’s beauty and complexity, being of the finest silver work.
Military
The Military of Ahura Mazdan is an quite unusual. As an Island city state the majority of threats to the city come from the Sea nad it has never seen the need to maitain a large standin army, instead relying on firstly on Mercenaries and then in times of need it's citizens. Few of the people are practicing soldiers - only a fe Elite troops train regularly. Therefore the majority of it's man power is drawn from North Africa and Asia Minor, where many people - largely Libyans - are willing to serve in return for money, land and citizenship. They make effective, if sometimes unreliable, soldiers. The only downside is a tendacy to save their own skins in times of need when cornered, and Mercenaries have been known to flee or even defect when faced with overwelming numbers.
Army (Standing)
Total: 5508
Temple Guard: 200
Citadel Guard: 1200
Mounted Citadel Guard: 250
Libyan Pikemen: 3400
Libyan Cavalry: 450
Elephantes: 8
Army (Reserve)
Total: 11800
Household Cavalry: 600
Hippakontistai: 400
Pezoi: 4000
Sparabara: 5000
Archers: 1000
Peltasts:800
Navy
Infantry
Temple Guard (http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/947/seleucidhypaspistgq9.jpg)
The Elite of the Elite in the Ahura Mazdan army, the Temple Guard are uterly loyal and fanatical thnaks to their faith Diodorus. They are recruited from any class in Ahura Mazdan society and their equipment and training is provided by the Priests. In return they agree to a livetime of service, first as active soldiers and gaurds and then with ceremonial duties. I their old age they are retired and provided fro by the Temples, and thanks to their service they are gaurenteed passage to the afterlife. As Elite soldiers they will never break and flee from battle, and can be counted on to hold the line, no matter what.
Citadel Guard (http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/1439/athenianhopliteub3.jpg)
Recruited from the second class of Ahura Mazdan soceity they are the city's oficial guard, but are also Elite soldiers. While they lack the Temple Guards fanaticism they are still an efective fighting force, and are the only full time Mazdanian soldiers.
Pezoi (http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/3337/renderspartiataiphallanhr4.jpg)
Recruited mainly from the second class of Mazdanian soceity the Pezoi are the main Infantry of the army, and fight in Phalanx formation like the Temple and Citadel Guard. They must provide their own equipment when required of them - they are part time citizen soldiers - and while it is not of the quality of the Citadel Guards it is still of excellent quality, the equal for most hopolite equipment.
Sparabara (http://www.wmwiki.com/hosted/xgm/xgmreadme/MERC_EASTERN_INFANTRY_INFO.png)
Recruited from the third and fourth class of Mazdanian soceity Sparabara serve the role of cannon fodder in the army. Handed a long spear and wicker shield by their commanders they are taught to line up and march. After that they are thrown into battle to make up the armys numbers and wear down opposing forces.
Ranged
Archers (http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/2043/archeraz5.jpg)
Peltasts (http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i13/_SoR_/d8640c96.jpg)
Cavalry
Mounted Citadel Guard (http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/7977/hieraileiz1.jpg)
The Citadel Guard are some times required to fight on horseback. For this purpose they maintain a small number of the finest horses available, and operate as the heavy shock cavalry of Ahura Mazdan, brwaking the enemy line when required, and the rest of the time seeing of any would be flanking forces. They are however even fewer in number than the citadel guard, making the mercenary cavalry an apsolute nesescity.
Household Cavalry (http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/1647/hetairoiuk8.jpg)
The Household Cavalry are drawn from the second class, and consist of men capable of suplying their own equipment and horse. They are simillar to the Pezoi in being citizen soldiers, only being called up in times of direct need.
Hippakontistai (http://www.europabarbarorum.com/i/units/koinon-hellenon/kh_hippakontistai.gif)
The Hippakontistai are the light cavalry of Ahura Mazdan, and are armed with javelins and small shields and swords. They are recruited from those in the third class who own horses, and only serve when needed.
Mercenaries
Libyan Cavalry (http://rtw.heavengames.com/rtw/info/units/carthaginian_sacred_band_cavalry_info.jpg)
Due to the lack of a profesional Mazdanian Army, mercenaries paly a large role in Ahura Mazdan's army. Libyans play the largest part in this, recruited and shiped in form North Africa to Rhodes where they are trained and equiped. I return the recieve money land and citizenship. Libyan Cavalry are medium cavalry capable of engaging enemy cavalry and skirmishers, and assaulting the flanks and rear of the enemy.
Libyan Pikemen (http://rtw.heavengames.com/rtw/info/units/libyan_spearmen_info.jpg)
Due to the lack of a profesional Mazdanian Army, mercenaries paly a large role in Ahura Mazdan's army. Libyans play the largest part in this, recruited and shiped in form North Africa to Rhodes where they are trained and equiped. I return the recieve money land and citizenship. Libyan Pikemen are medium infantry and play the role of the infantry of the line in Mazdainian forces, capable of facing of againt most enemy infantry if properly suported.
Elephantes (http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/1494/armoredelephants3el0.jpg)
A curosity in the Mazdanian amry, these Elephants where imported from North Africa with considerable dificulty to take part in a campaign in Asia Minor. They where largely inefective, and most of them where killed in the fightingagainst a larger neighbour, in the process helping gain a victory for Ahura Mazdan. A few still remain as an elite shock force and boasting point.
Navy
Biremes (http://www.armchairgeneral.com/wordpress/wp-content/features/salamis/trireme.jpg)
Triremes (http://www.rodlangton.com/ancimages/aphlater.gif)
Pentere's (http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/3408/triere2zg5.jpg)
OOC- Will be edited with more information as I go