Founded: 5 IR
Continent:Northern Matarica, Karelia, and western Stochalia
Realm: Empire of Sabinia
Government Type: Empire
Capital: Sabine
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The Empire of Sabinia, now more commonly known as the Old Empire, was an empire in northern Matarica and Karelia. It was one of the first human realms to spring up after the Akkermenian Empire.
Politics
The Emperors of Sabinia were limited monarchs in some ways. In theory, they had to pay attention to the Sabinian Senate, which was composed of officials from each of the various strongholds, which eventually became provinces of the empire.
In truth, the infighting within the Senate tending to leave the emperor a free hand, as most senators were focused on lining their own pockets.
No major realms neighbored the Empire initially. To the east were strongholds and tribes. To the south were the Qafric Wastes. To the north and west were ocean and sea.
Since most of the lands around it were generally empty following the war's devastation, they expanded and colonized extensively. At one point, the Empire of Sabinia included nearly all of what is now the Kreisens, and established trading post in what would become Brunanburh, had almost completely encircled the Middle Sea, and had stretched down to the Gulf of Doris.
Economy
The trade routes common in Eard in the present day did not exist when the Empire of Sabinia was founded. Hence, the Sabinian economy originally depended upon local production using the materials at hand.
Soon, they required more resources, which spurred even more colonization and expansion. As they expanded, they built internal trade networks based on their immense skill at building roads, many of which, including the Antsanvia in the Kreisens, still exist. Unfortunately, much of this skill has not survived to the present day.
By the end of the empire, it had created the basis for much of western Eard's trade system. This includes roots of the Ring Route, expansion of the Mstov River exchange between Demmen and Mstovgorod, safe sea lanes around Karelia and Matarica, and the foundations of the North Road. Most importantly was Basil II Makrembolites's foundation of Basilopolis at the head of the Gulf of Doris, especially when the North Road was extended there from Achrida.
In fact, it is this expansion that doomed the Old Empire. The economic, political, and cultural focus gradually shifted east as Basilopolis grew and the eastern part of the empire became dominant.
With the capital established at Basilopolis, the outposts of the empire on Karelia, outside of those on the Middle Sea, became less profitable, and hence, less important. This was exacerbated when the Empire got embroiled in a series of wars with major tribal incursions from the Transstochalian Mountains. As the Empire moved east into Stochalia, it forgot about the west.
Military
Generally, the Empire relied upon legions of approximately 5000 men, divided into cohorts of 300 to 600. These legions were primarily heavy infantry, trained to fight in shield walls using especially large shields. These legions pushed the frontier out, allowing the empire to expand.
However, keeping these legions were expensive. By the end of the empire, its military had begun to rely more on the smaller, cheaper, but more flexible cohorts within the legions, though the legion as a concept remains to this day.
Founding
The Empire of Sabinia began as a stronghold along the northern edge of Matarica since before human memory.
Valerian Varinius, conquered the neighboring tribes with diplomacy more than warfare, though his skills as a general remain legendary.
However, Fulvius Tantius Pompinus, the leader of Vevchani, a neighboring stronghold, held out, desiring rule for himself. At the Battle of Sarrek's Mound in 2 IR, Valerian defeated Fulvius.
Then, because of his prestige, Valerian was able to convince other generals in the region to turn to more peaceful pursuits and in 5 IR, they accepted Valerian as the first emperor.
Things did not go smoothly, of course. However, Valerian proved as smart in politics as in war and strengthened his position time and again.
By 15 IR, Sabine had become wealthy and prosperous. Despite great protests, Valerian stepped back from power, setting the standard for the first two centuries of the empire.
The simple fact that the Empire had vast unexplored territories around it helped him and his immediate successors. Those most likely to disrupt the order of things had opportunities for wealth, glory, and power on the frontiers. By the end of the Varinian Dynasty in 59 IR, the Empire had settled into a single realm. While each province still retained a certain flavor and focus, in general the people began to think of themselves as Sabinians first.