Zahava

Zahava officially The Divine Empire of Zahava or The Imperium of Zahava is a country located on the eastern coast of Avalonia. Zahava borders Albaterra to the west, Koryeo to the south, and SiWallqanqa to the South West and shares a maritime border with Agrana y Griegro via the isle of Trinidad. Zahava has a population of 329,675,654 and is the third largest country in total land area encompassing 2,368,896 square kilometers. The Imperial government, under the Primogenitor of Zahava, administers jurisdiction over 14 provinces known domestically as Segmentums,and one direct-controlled municipality, the capital city of Arcanium.

Zahava emerged as one of the world's first civilizations, in the fertile basin of the Mageius and Masali Rivers in the mesis plain. A number of previously nomadic tribes would begin to transition to a more sedimentary and permanent lifestyle with the advent of agriculture. While there were many tribes that existed throughout Zahavan pre-history and antiquity the most developed and influential of these early civilizations were the Zokhian, Marsini, Pelleoni, Kaesoroni, Abranxe, and Teratans.

Each of these peoples developed different cultures, types of government, religious beliefs, although languages gradually started to become somewhat similar from one group to another. Each group would eventually established permanent settlements to serve as their bases of power, essentially becoming or kingdoms independent of one another, and often in competition with each other. Each city state would vie for control over its neighbors through a series of diplomatic negotiations with rivals and an almost continuous series of wars. Over time these civilizations would evolve and as they exchanged cultural influences new civilizations would arise. In 221 BCE the Tarentae would successfully unite most of the north eastern and coastal kingdoms of modern day Zahava to established what some call the first empire. This empire was short lived, but the projects and reforms the Tarentae had made in their rise to power would have long lasting effects on Zahavan history and other civilizations that came after them.

With the fall of the Tarentae empire, once again many of the Zahavan civilizations would return to effectively being independent city states, competeting against one another. This period would last until 27 CE when a warrior seafaring peoples, who originated from the isles of Kharmedia and Craetes but had begun settling in the south eastern regions of Zahava as early as mid 200's BCE would launch a series of invasions northwards, beginning in 197 BCE and culminating in total annexation and the formation of the Zahavaite empire in 27 BCE. The zahavite empire would last for the next several hundred years into 497 CE when the empire, would become a republic. Republic rule would itself last several hundred years, before aristocratic factions, seizing on a series of internal struggles fragmented the republic until the conquests of Zimisces which would see imperial rule restored.

The government would transition as the Empire grew, initially much more democratic over time rulers embedded themselves, and thus their authority in the zahavan faith, eventually being proclaimed direct descendants of the demi-god hero Zahavarius, who would serve as protector and leader of all humanity. The Imperial house would exert absolute authority over all aspects of government until 2020 when Primogenitor _____, in the face of widespread internal unrest made a series of concessions allowing the populous at large a greater say in government, handing over a number of  governmental duties, creating a new government position, called the Archon who is a member of the Imperial senate elected from among itself to serve as the new head of government.

Since then Zahava has been a governed by the Imperial Senate, who elects from among its members an Archon to serve as head of government. As a is a recognized  and is a leading member of the Economic Community of Southern and External Avalonian States global alliance.

Zahava has the worlds third largest economy with 6.3 trillion dollars gross domestic purchasing power parity with a gdp per capita of 19,110 dollars. The currency of Zahava is the denarius, a coinage originally implemented in about the 7th century BC. Zahava is a country with a  with a large rapidly growing  and  thanks largely to outside investment as well as a well-integrated. Despite this Zahava faces many issues with, , , and increased tensions with its neighbors governed by colonial minorities.

Etymology
The name Zahava derives from the name of Zahavarius, the mythological demi-god hero that saved mankind from the evil forces of the underworld and established the first city state, which also bore the name Zahava.

History
Zahava emerged as one of the world's first civilizations, in the fertile basin of the Mageius and Masali Rivers in the mesis plain. A number of previously nomadic tribes would begin to transition to a more sedimentary and permanent lifestyle with the advent of agriculture. While there were many tribes that existed throughout Zahavan pre-history and antiquity the most developed and influential of these early civilizations were the Kaesoroni, Marsini, Pelleoni, Kaesoroni, Murmean, Tryris and Agnathio.

Each of these peoples developed different cultures, types of government, religious beliefs, although languages gradually started to become somewhat similar from one group to another. Each group would eventually established permanent settlements to serve as their bases of power, essentially becoming City States, or kingdoms independent of one another, and often in competition with each other. Each city state would vie for control over its neighbors through a series of diplomatic negotiations with rivals and an almost continuous series of wars with some kingdoms having more success than others.

Paleolithic
What is now Zahava was inhabited by Homo erectus more than a million years ago. Recent study shows that the stone tools found at Albanianis site are magnetostratigraphically dated to 1.36 million years ago. The archaeological site of Harianin in Occidentus segmentum has evidence of use of fire by Homo erectus,which is dated 1.27 million years ago, and Homo erectus fossils in Zahava include the Arketan Man, and the Sepelio Man. Fossilized teeth of Homo sapiens dating to 125,000–80,000 BC have been discovered in Dyrrachium Cave in the Tumultum Segmentum. Evidence of Middle Palaeolithic Levallois technology has been found in the lithic assemblage of Xandassus Cave site in southwest Zahava, dated to approximately 170,000–80,000 years ago.

Additionally thousands of Paleolithic-era artifacts have been recovered from the upper masali valley and dated to around 850,000 years before the present. While even older specimens such as a collection of stone tools and bones found in the Laphis plateau have been dated to 1.46 million years ago.

In 2015 the most complete human skeleton to date was discovered in the boreal highlands, with the remains being dated to 8500 years of age, evidence of metallurgy has been found as far back as the 2nd millennium BC, where several excavations have yielded iron implements dated between 1800–1200 BCE.

Neolithic
The Neolithic age in Zahava can be traced back to about 10,000 BCE. At several sites found along the Masali River archeologists have found evidence of cultivated rice, that has been carbon-dated to 8,000 years ago, at similar locations evidence has been found of proto-zahavan millet agriculture that has been radiocarbon-dated to about 7000 BCE. The development of agriculture and the establishment of farms to provide food over hunting and gathering eventually gave rise to the Marsini culture which is believed to have existed from 7000 to 5800 BCE. At Atonian in the Zapadis segmentum there are some 3,000 plus cliff carvings and drawings dating to 6000–5000 BCE which have been discovered. These carvings feature symbols and characters for things such as the sun, moon, stars, gods, and depict scenes of hunting or grazing. Zahavan proto-writing existed in the Marsini culture around 7000 BCE, further examples of writing were found in the Abraxas culture from 5800 BC to 5400 BC, and has been found in Pelleoni culture sites dating to around 6000 BCE and Zokhian sites dating from the 5th millennium BC. Some scholars have suggested that Marsini symbols were the earliest Zahavan writing system while others dispute this.

Excavation of a Pelleonite culture site in the Axaria segmentum, found a community that flourished in 5,500 to 4,900 BCE, with evidence of agriculture, constructed buildings, pottery, and even burial of the dead. With agriculture came increased population, the ability to store and redistribute crops, and the potential to support specialist craftsmen and administrators. In late Neolithic times, the Masali River valley began to establish itself as a center of Kaesoroni culture from 5000 BCE to 3000 BCE. The first villages were founded during this time; the most significant of these was found outside present day Bloukion, in the Borealis segmentum. Later, Kaesoroni culture was superseded by the Apophontar culture, which was also centered on the Masali River from about 3000 BCE to 2000 BCE.

Bronze Age
Bronze artifacts have been found at the Acastian culture site between 3100 and 2700 BCE. The Bronze Age is also represented at the Lower Mageiaus culture 2200–1600 BCE site in south central Zahava. Kempolis located in what is now part of the Tumultum segmentum is believed to be the site of a major ancient city, belonging to the Kempka civilization,between 2000 and 1200 BCE and may have been home to as many as 30,000 people in 1600 BCE. The site of Kempolis was first discovered in 1919 and then re-discovered in 1966.

Evidence of commerece has been found at several sites, namely the Kaelon and Lytanus sites, found in the Mesis and Raetium segmentums respectively. Both sites have Kempkan jewlery, and there is evidence of correspondence between these civilizations. Additionally there are many surviving examples of Kaelon pottery which shs depictions of ships of ocean going designs, and depictions of people wearing Lytanian, Kempkan, and other Zahavan bronze age cultures fashion styles in clothing, hair styles, and styles of makeup or other body art.

Ferrous metallurgy begins to appear in the late 6th century in the lower masali valley. A bronze axe with a blade of meteoric iron excavated near the city of Honeia in the subsolanus segmentum has been dated to the 14th century BCE.

Masonry, sculpting, and other construction advancements are also noted due to the remains of palaces, palatial villas, houses, temples, shrines, monuments and fortifications. Many of these remains show evidence of structural decoration with architectural features, such as columns, friezes and various moldings; mural decoration, such as fresco-paintings, colored reliefs and mosaic inlay. roof tiles were also occasionally employed. Additionally structures were often decorated with depictions of household furniture such as vessels of all sorts, from giant store jugs down to tiny pots; culinary tools, weapons, and other implements and ; thrones, seats, tables, etc are also commonly shown in surviving murals.

Ancient Zahava
Zahava would remain disunited for much of its ancient and early history, mostly a battleground for competing city-states of which the city of Arcanium would become the most influential with a number of dynasties using it as their state capitol, and its strategic location with a protected harbor, and position on the Mageiaus river controlling access to inland waterways. Ancient Zahava is marked by periods of unity and disunity, as city-states were conquered and then regained independence from short-lived rulers or fell under the rule of regional warlords who had once been officers in a conquering army and by internal strife boiling over as new social classes emerged. During this time the Zahavan world was centered largely along the Avalonian coast, and the north eastern sections of the country particularly along the upper and lower Masali river valleys, and at various points along the Mageiaus river valley.

This period would also see the beginnings of several key institutions of what would become Zahavan culture, particularly the development of the Pantheon. The first books of what would become the Epitoma Aiona or Book of the Heavens were written during this period in an early Zahavan script, as well as the first establishment of prefectures as an administrative division, the first series of codified laws establishing rights and protections for citizens, and the establishment of the Kharmideian Games. The period would see a number of rulers, and other aristocratic or influential people ranging from wealthy merchants to early philosophers attempting to reach the gods, with elaborate shrines, temples, built to honor them.

Early Kingdoms
As the early civilizations that inhabit what is modern day Zahava transitioned from being nomadic tribes or groups of hunter gatherers to becoming sedentary farmers focused on agriculture these societies began to change. People now had more time for things like creating art, debating and discussing philosophy and the development of new technologies and construction techniques allowed for more permanent shelter, increased food production led to an increase in population and new political and societal structures began to arise, with influential individuals, typically landowners and former chieftains taking positions of authority over other members. Eventually these different cultures began to fight one another over the best farmland or for other resources with hundreds of towns essentially being established as their own states, controlling the areas directly around them. From time to time these cities would be united, either via politics and diplomacy or through conquest and become kingdoms which ruled over varying amounts of territory each vying for supremacy over the another.

Tryris (2070 – 1600 BCE)
One of the first kingdoms to be described in ancient historical records is the Kingdom of Tryris, which was situated in the Garrissis valley, in what is today the Axaria segmentum. The Tryris kingdom was formed after the Tryris tribe managed to subjugate a number of neighboring tribes, assimilating them into their own or if a tribe had resisted the Tryris they would become second class citizens or slaves. The Tryris established what could be considered a proto semi-feudal system of government with chieftains having semi autonomy over their tribal areas, so long as they paid taxes and contributed men to the Tryris military campaigns. The Tyris kingdom would eventually expand to encompass an area from its homeland in the Garrissis valley, to the what is today Arcanium bay. The Tryris were able to achieve such rapid expansion due to their advanced levels of agriculture cultivating the staple crops of maize, beans, squash, rice and chili peppers, which they then traded for goods such as perfume, oils, and finished goods like pottery. This early trade made the Tryris kingdom extremely wealthy, allowing it exert considerable influence on neighbors and bring them into its sphere of control.

The Tyris kingdom is last mentioned in texts from the kingdom which succeeded it, the Agnathio which describes a series of wars, mostly infighting between the Tryris and their client states, with the Tryris losing the battle of Castus in roughly 1600 BCE resulting in the collapse of the kingdom.

For many years scholars believed the Tryris kingdom to be a mythical culture, due to their being little archeological evidence to support its existence and the accomplishments credited to the kingdom, which many believed to be extremely hyperbolic. That was the case until in 1988 a site was found on the charsis plateau which had artifacts bearing images mentioned in texts from other culture were identifiers of the Tryris kingdom.

Agnathio Kingdom (1600 – 1046 BCE)
The Agnathio kingdom succeeded the Tryris, and are also viewed as semi-mythical in regards to some of the rulers. There are however significant archeological sites to confrim the Agnathio kingdoms existence. The Agnathio kingdom would eventually occupy all the territory the former Tryris kingdom had, extending from its homeland in the Herklia valley. It is likely the Agnathio kingdom existed simultaneously as the Tryris kingdom, and after the absorption of the Tryris kingdom the Agnathio kingdom moved its capital city to an area around modern day Idumea. The Agnathio kingdom were the first to take significant concentrated efforts to control the yearly flooding of the Mageiaus river, and through a series of extensive works involving irrigation, dams, and redirection of the river were successful. These efforts effectively cleared the entirety of the Laphis valley for settlement and agriculture.

The Agnathio kingdom would have some forty one kings rule over it before the kingdom finally collapsed, after a series of wars against the Murmean kingdom which was expanding southwards from the lower Masali valley, culminating in the Battle of Anamedyium where it is said a large portion of the Agnathio king Maculleon Iasion defected to the Murmean king Menes Elha's army leading to Maculleon to commit suicide.

Murmean Kingdom (1046 – 256 BCE)
The Murmean kingdom is the longest lasting of all the Zahavan kingdoms of antiquity. The Murmean kingdom began to emerge from the Murmur valley, along the Murmean river from which the original tribe took its name. The Murmeans, unlike the Agnathio and Tryris before them adopted a centralized form of government, and subdued neighboring tribes, a key component to the Murmean expansion was that they were often able to subdue neighbors without having to fight them. This was due to the Murmean practice of not demanding tribute in the form of gold or silver but in manpower for future campaigns. During campaigns the Murmeans would often use their "allied" forces to bear the brunt of the fighting while their own forces remained intact, thus making it much more difficult for subject kingdoms to rebel.

The Murmeans rapidly overran the territories of the upper and lower Masali valleys before expanding southwards to absorb most of the Agnathio's territory in what is today central Zahava. The Murmeans also expanded eastwards, conquering territories extending from the modern cities of Moriae, which served as the Murmean capital later on to the city of Seidon just north east of Arcanium.

A major first that occured during the Murmean kingdom was the concept of the rulers authority coming from the divine. The Murmeans believed their king or queen were a divine being sent from the heavens by the ruler of the divines to rule over man and ensure the divine's will was carried out on earth. This did not stop the overthrow of Murmean rulers however, as it was determined that if a ruler should do so poorly that a challenger should rise and successfully overthrow them, then the challenger had been sent by the divine to replace the previous dynasty.

Under the Murmean rule, a mercantile class of society began to merge, shown by the introduction of coinage in about 680. Documents show that this new social class created added tensions between the now wealthy merchants, and members of the traditional aristocratic social order which now felt threatened by the new wealth of merchants, many of which were also ambitious for political power and used their wealth to attain great political influence. Overall however the increased stability and peaceful rule under the Murmeans led to rapidly increasing populations in the 8th and 7th centuries BC had resulted in emigration of many Murmean peoples to form new settlements and states further south. This shift in power from north to south eventually led to the Murmeans moving their capital city, to what is present day Arcanium.

As the Murmean kingdom expanded ever larger, its previous system of governance became more and more strained as frontier client kingdoms would often rebel wanting more autonomy over their lands, and the growing merchant class demanded an ever larger say and influence in politics. This led to the Murmean king Amsu Mekhari establishing the regio terram system which was essentially a more structured feudal system than those used by the Agnathio or Tryris. Family members and distinguished warriors, as well as some of the most wealthy members of Murmean society were given land, and specific titles which carried with them codifed levels of authority over the lands they were given by the royal family, the regio terram system essentially turned the Murmean kingdom into a a decentralized system of confederation-like government with a strict social hierarchy of the ruling family, nobles, lesser nobles and wealthy merchants or tradesmen, and commoners at the lowest rung.

The Murmean Confederacy (722 – 256 BCE)
Over time, this decentralized system became strained as the familial relationships between the Murmean kings and the regional dynasties which the new system of government established. Peripheral territories developed local power and prestige that began to rival that of the Murmean royal line, and the familial relationships between the client states and the Murmean royal family would become thinned as the generations progressed, further weakening the concept of familial loyalty to the Murmean rulers.

At the same time these peripheral client states began to fight with one another, with larger more powerful states essentially annexing smaller ones, and placing their own dynastic lines on the conquered thrones, still other states were broken up into numerous smaller territories when infighting between vassal dynasties began leaving local strongmen in charge of small regions sometimes no bigger than a single fortified village.

Eventually larger states would annex the smaller weaker ones, and in some instances after achieving a certain level of prestige and power vassals would declare themselves independent of Murmean rule. The Murmeans would then launch wars against these rebellions, while initially successful in quelling them, as more and more vassals declared themselves independent Murmean authority continued to rapidly decline. Eventually the Murmean kingdom was partitioned up into nine distinct kingdoms with the head of each kingdom, declaring themselves King and shedding the facade of subservience to the Murmeans entirely.

The Nine Kingdoms (256 BCE – 221 BCE)
While the Murmean kingdom still technically existed, the Murmean king was a title only and held no real authority outside of the Kingdom of Murmea proper. The nine kingdoms: Murmean, Daradan, Tarentus, Laphis, Arketes, Agatone, Keuken, Suberei, Imhoden would each consolidate their authority within their respective areas of control. The period would see near constant fighting between the nine kingdoms, and smaller client realms, with multiple rulers declaring themselves to be sent by the divine to conquer the other kingdoms to justify their military campaigns.

During the time of the nine kingdoms, the larger coastal kingdoms, of Tarentus, Arketes, and Imhoden, gained significant power while the smaller more centrally located kingdoms of Murmean, Daradan, Laphis, Keuken, Agatone, and Suberei typically served as satellites and tributaries to the larger kingdoms.

Of the three largest kingdoms the most effective at doing so were the Tarentae, under Agies Varenus who reformed the kingdom of Tarentus to centralize its power structure. The state consisted of 16 prefectures with Varenus and three senior ministers each in charge of four prefectures; Varenus also combined military offices and duties with civil ones. These reforms provided the Tarentus, already powerful from control of trade crossroads through the lower Masali valley and along the river itself and the coastal areas around the Tarentae capital of Tarentum, provided the kingdom with a greater ability to mobilize resources than the more loosely organized kingdoms.

As neighboring kingdoms, were annexed by the Tarentae, they too would be reformed and had placed under the new Tarentae system of administration system of prefecture and combination of military and civil positions.

The nine kingdoms period would end following the conquest of the other nine kingdoms by the Tarentae king Kaelon Atticus in 221 BCE establishing the first empire of Tarentum a territory extending throughout all of what is today north eastern Zahava.

First imperial era
The Imperial era of Zahavan history would see the emergence of several city states, namely Arcanium, Iocanthos, Calixium, Tarentum, and Ephisia establish themselves and come to control sizeable amounts of territory and at the beggining of the Imperial era these city states would bring about a halt to the constant warfare as trade and diplomacy were most often preferred and wealth would be used in the place of conquest. This peace was relatively short lived as before long rivalries and greed would compell the city states to fight one another, with different groups of city states sometimes banding together, either by mutual agreement or in the case of the Arcanic league by coercion, and together these city states and their hegemons would fight one another for control of more valuable land.

The warring between the city states would have disasterous results for the civilizations that comprised them, as years of warfare would weaken the city states, leaving their territories open to invasion, and indeed some southern states such as the state of Ephisia launched several successful raiding campaigns into northeastern and central Zahava, although they did not attempt to conquer and subjugate the areas. These raids had the effect of, at least temporarily, uniting some of the northern city states against the southern Ephisian lef hegemony, leading to a long series of wars between the two groups.

Again these conflicts would ultimately weaken all the city states of Zahava, and when the technologically advanced but disorganized Zahavite peoples were unified under one ruler it made their conquests of the Zahavan mainlaind relatively easy. The Zahavite peoples were a known merciless and brutal seafairing raider civilization but to the suprise of many they were quick to implement measures to assimilate the peoples of their newly conquered territories, the result being for the first time a true and new national identify of being Zahavan was established, and due to the largely fair treatment of conquered peoples the Zahavite territory was able to find stability, and continue to grow in strength being focused primarily in the southeast and south central regions of modern day Zahava.

As the Zahavite empire grew in influence and wealth, it would come into conflict with the still powerful city states of the north east, culiminating in the first, second, third, and finally fourth Zahavite arcanic wars which would see the city of Arcanium itself conquered by the Zahavites, and shortly after the Zahavite subjugation of all the Zahavan coastal states as well as territory extending deep into central modern day Zahava.

The first Zahavite empire would be proclaimed and would last for almost 500 years as the process of assimiliation started by Kalliston was continued, and a number of c cornerstones would be cemented in zahavan culture, particularly the Zahavan pantheon, the foundation for the code of laws and rights of citizens, non-citizens, women, and slaves. The Zahavite military would also be completely reformed over the course of its existence, eventually becoming a fully professional standing military, among the earliest such organizations in the world and one that would allow the Zahavite empire to launch a number of successful campaigns against its neighbors, and in the western reaches of modern day Zahava.

The rapid expansion of the empire destabilized its social organization and triggered unrest, which ultimately led to political violence, unrest in the provinces, and the rise of strongmen, like Verus Caspean, Astartus, and Eteokles. Military commanders who turned their military successes into political power. The rapid expansion of the empire also brought about a significant increase in the number of slaves, resulting in several slave rebellions that eventually led to further social reforms. A series of internal conflicts would break out, namely between the empire and client states, which felt they contributed much towards the empire's conquests against neighboring states, but shared little in the rewards. Verus caspean, an Arcanic native would defect from the empire to lead an Arcanic revival faction in the first of three civil wars, the last culminating when Eteokles, would defeat astartus, an ethnic Iocanthoi who had claimed the imperial throne through marriage through a distant cousin of the Imperial family upon the death of Emperor Ursinus who died heirless.

After defeating Astartus, Eteokles would assume the imperial throne, and ammend the process of secession and imperial authority. Eteokles created a new positon, the ecclasiarch which, as a member of the divine either via divine ancestry, or by serving as a vessel for the hero Zahavarius' soul the emperor would now also serve as the head of the Zahavan faith, a position that was also hereditary and would be passed on to the chosen successor.

This action had the affect of strengthening the heirs postion, as it was now established that the emperor, through their divine abilities was able to decree whom would be the next to serve as the vessel of Zahavarius, directly weakening any competeting claimaints ability to claim that the imperial throne was rightfully theres. Another reform enacted by Eteokles was a decree that all government ministers would now be appointed by the emperor and no longer be elected, his transformed the magistrates from representatives of the people to representatives of the emperor further strengthening the imperial polticial position. The latter of these reforms were widely unpopular and after only a few years Eteokles permitted some reforms whereby local officials would be elected, but segmentum governors would remain appointed, and the governors would have the authority to overrule any laws or regulations imposed by local officials at a lower level of government.

The strenghtening of the Imperial government, and other reforms began by Eteokles would eventually lead to the Zahavan Empire entering into an unprecedented level of stability, peace, and prosperity lasting for over two hundred years following the conclusion of these early civil wars. Although there were uprisings in the segmentums during this time they were infrequent but put down mercilessly and swiftly when they did occurr. Coupled with the empire's vast extent and long endurance, the institutions and culture of the first Zahavan empire would have a profound and lasting influence on the development of language, religion, art, architecture, philosophy, law, and forms of government in the territory it governed, and those it came into contact with. This period of prosperity and stability would see great advancements in many forms of technology, particularly in regards to navigation, agriculture, construction, and metallurgy. This period would also see significant population growth, and unprecedented levels of wealth, as well as the expansion of Zahavan culture as merchants and explores established trading settlements all over the Avalonian continent bringing the empire into contact with a number of other civilizations and cultures.

The first empire of Zahava would end in the 5th century, when following a series of natural disasters such as the axarian earthquake, and outbreaks of disease would lead to a crippled military in terms of available manpower, and a severely damaged economy. This crisis led to multiple rebellions, would be usurpers and invasions from neighboring states, the crisis would eventually come to an end with the imperial house greatly reduced in power and the establishment of a new republican form of government which in theory would be giving more authority to the people, in practice however power rested primarily with strong men who had the backing of their military formations under their command, and to the aristocratic classes who held the overwhelming majority of positions in government administration. The Zahavan faith became increasingly more popular as the church, and by association the emperor took on a larger role in providing social welfare for the masses of commoners and peasants which found themselves largely neglected by the republican government at least at the highest levels.

Empire of Tarentum (221 BCE – 206 BCE)
The centralized power structure established by Varenus had given Tarentum a significant advantage over the other kingdoms, culminating in the Tarentum conquest of the remaining kingdoms, and other smaller client states, with the Tarentae king Kaelon Atticus declaring themselves emperor in 221 BCE. Atticus in an effort to establish stability and peace decided not to persecute the citizens of the newly conquered territories and force Tarentae culture onto them, instead Atticus adopted many customs and particularly religious practices from the conquered regions, establishing the first pantheon, and himself being crowned Emperor through a series of rituals, one for each of kingdoms as a sign that Atticus' Imperial title was approved by all the gods, and not just his own. Despite his efforts upon Atticus' death the empire would be weakened by infighting leaving it susceptible to attack from outsiders, which would ultimately bring about the downfall of the Tarentae empire.

By most standards the empire of Tarentum is a short lived one, lasting officially only fifteen years. The empire still had a profound effect on future Zahava, its political structure while flawed, established the framework for a strong centralized government with the creation of multiple magistrates and ministers to address the various government administrative needs.

Public works projects that the Tarentae government had been undertaking, even wile fighting wars of conquest had resulted in a number of roads, bridges, dams, improved irrigation and other agricultural advancements. This allowed further increased food production, established more effiecent means of trade and travel from one place to another, particularly for the Tarentae military as it continued to subdue neighboring kingdoms. After taking over an area the Tarentae would proceed with the establishment of small towns, fortified cities, and trade posts along the coast and at strategically important areas which allowed the Tarentae to secure their expanding conquests and provide a platform from which stable control over the newly conquered region could be established and maintained.

The Tarentae established an official currency and established set prices for certain goods. The Tarentae also were important in other aspects of what would become Zahavan life establishing the early basis for numerous laws regarding property, and codified the rights and legal protections of citizens, non-citizens, and even slaves. The empire of Tarentum was also the first Zahavan civilization to establish the earliest version of the modern day Zahavan pantheon, combining the numerous religious deities, rituals, and other religious practices from among the varying states that now made up the empire, this new religion gave the first uniquely Zahavan identity to the people who inhabited the area.

The Tarentae empire was not without fault however, secession for the Imperial seat, and regional governorship was never clearly established and aristocratic dynasties often schemed and fought one another in efforts to gain influence or control over territories fragmenting what would otherwise be a unified and strong state. This fragmentation, would yet again lead to the downfall of an early Zahavan civilization

City States Period (206 BCE – 160 BCE)
As the Empire of Tarentum crumbled with an ever increasing number of claimants declaring themselves emperor, the political landscape of the Zahavan world started to return to the warring city states periods of centuries previous. Still there were key differences between the city state period, and earlier variations, due to the success and long reign of the Murmean state, most city states now shared a common language, script and the same standards for exchange of goods for currency. Still each city state developed its own laws, moral and social norms, varying architecture, religious practices and military equipment and tactics. Compared to previous eras the city states period, is considered to be significantly more peaceful than previous times, although a number of significant campaigns are noted during this time as well, largely due to still growing populations and a desire for more profitable fertile land by a number of Zahavan city states.

Another key development during this period were a number of serious raiding campaigns by Zahavan kingdoms in the south against central city states, while these raids were not campaigns of conquest, they did result in significant damage in terms of loss of manpwoer and the destruction of property including the razing of several settlements belonging to several central and northern states. Arcanium itself was besieged twice during this period by the southern Kingdom of Ephisia both times bribing the Ephisians to withdraw and end their siege. A third campaign by the Ephisians ended in their defeat at the battle of Prasinos river, putting an end to Ephisian attempts to launch any campaigns northward.

The state of Arcanium then formed the Arcanic league, in 190 BCE and was able to establish hegemony over the central coastal states of Nazrah, Seidon, Moirae, and Idumea. Arcanium would then direct the Arcanic leauge in a series of wars against southern zahavan states, fighting the Ephisians, Akragas, Thraxia, and Chalkopolis. This war between the Arcanic leauge, and the Pelagis Union as it became known would last until 184 BCE when, after increased tensions between the neutral state of Iocanthos over Arcanium's growing power to the south, led to the Iocanthos king Abdle Caphen encouraging a number of settlements in the leauge to revolt against Arcanic rule, leading to open war between Arcanium and its supporters and Iocanthos and the league rebellious states. The conflict would be devastating for both sides, with Arcanium eventually emerging victorious after achieving a naval victory in the bay of stygia signing a peace treaty in 176 BCE.

In 174 BCE a series of famines and multiple outbreaks of plague would ravage many of the Zahavan city states, and the peace between the Arcanic leauge and Iocanthos would be short lived as hostilities would once again breakout between the two groups. This time the Arcanic forces were beaten at the battle of Herkilia, resulting in the defection of Moirae from the leauge to joining with Iocanthos forces. In 165 BCE Arcanium, ravaged by years of war and multiple plagues, including one which had killed the Arcanic king, and both his heirs was forced to concede and agreed to break up the Arcanic league.

With Arcanium now deprived of much of its land, and its client states which it relied on heavily for labor, trade goods, and manpower for its military Arcanium, for a time, would slide into being a second rate power in Zahava. The losses to all the great city-states during the Iocanthos and Arcanic league wars had been so devastating that no single state could dominate the others in the aftermath.

Invasion of Zahavites ( 160 BCE - 27 BCE)
The Zahavites were a warlike seafaring people, who occupied an untold number of islands up and down the eastern Avalonian coast including parts of Kharmedia, Craetes, and Deimos. The Zahavites had also established a number of coastal settlements, serving as bases and trading posts for trading goods between different Zahavite tribes. The Zahavites, like many other cultures around Zahava were a semi-unified peoples, with each individual community largely acting independently. This would change in 172 BCE the Zahavite nobleman Menes Kalliston rose to power. Kalliston set about unifying the various tribes of the Zahavites, through a series of marriages, assassinations, and bribes. The Zahavites, now unified under Kalliston's banner would embark on a campaign that would change the course of Zahavan history tremendously.

In 160 BCE Kalliston and his large Zahavite force landed at the mouth of the Sortria river, using their technologically advanced ships the Zahavites sailed up the river after scouting the area and attacked the city of Cestrus, taking the city with little effort. Kalliston wasted little time, taking his force further inland and taking the city of Thraxia only a couple of weeks later, again with little effort. The dis-unified nature of the Zahavan city states, which were still ravaged by infighting and disease allowed Kalliston to conquer several states quickly, and fight them individually, as news of the Zahavite conquests and military prowess spread, Kalliston found he was able to coerce weaker states into submission by the mere threat of war, thus rapidly expanding the Zahavite territory.

Kalliston turned his attentions to the south, having established a base along the Sortris river valley, moving to besiege the city of Ephisia in 157 BCE. In an attempt to break the siege the Zahavites sent emissaries into Ephisia demanding their surrender but guaranteeing the safety of the garrison and citizens. Ephisia's ruler Etiad Sellion stalled the talks, and attempted to use the talks of surrender as a cover to mobilize other allies. Messengers of Sellion were intercepted by Kalliston's army and all talks were immediately ceased. After a nearly year long siege, Sellion finally surrendered the city, accepting Kalliston's previous terms. Unknown to Sellion however, his treachery would cost him, and his people dearly. The Zahavites took the royal family and a number of Ephisian nobles and other court members immediately putting them in chains as slaves, the Zahavites then pillaged the city for several weeks slaughtering many of the inhabitants and all members of the garrison, Sellion himself was killed after being taken back to Thraxia, the current Zahavite capital at the conclusion of a celebratory parade where Kalliston himself then beat Sellion to death with a ritual hammer used specifically for religious rites.

The Zahavites then turned their attention to Akragas in 152 BCE, the city having heard word of Ephisia's fate surrendered without a fight, and its citizens and ruling class were spared. In just under a decade Kalliston had subjugated all the states of modern day Pelagis and Austellum segmentums, along with all of the southeastern regions of the Tumultum segmentum.

Kalliston set about consolidating his gains, enacting a number of reforms which were both beneficial, and popular with the conquered people, first Kalliston decreed that religious freedom would be permitted in all Zahavite territories, like Atticus before him Kalliston adopted and encouraged members of his court to adopt local customs, and Kalliston added the Zahavite deities, to the domestic proto-zahavan pantheon, conducting rituals to honor each while at the same time establishing one of the earliest models of a state education system, all children regardless of social class were educated at Zahavite temples, the effect being a gradual decline in the importance of local deities, while Zahavite deities were gradually elevated in importance. Modern scholars believe that the mythical Zahavarius is in fact Kalliston, as there are numerous records which indicate that Kalliston made claims that he ruled and conquered as his sacred divine duty, and to settle the issue of secession he declared, and had priests support his claim that his bloodline itself was both a descendant of the divine, and thusly favored by the gods. Overtime the new pantheon took on the first iterations of the modern zahavan pantheon, including the myth of Zahavarius, whom it was now believed the Zahavites were descendants of, a belief often used to elevate ethnic Zahavites over conquered peoples in the social hierarchy.

Other reforms Kalliston implemented were additional social reforms, such as prohibition on a debtor's person being used as security for a loan, the abolition of extravagant dowries, the freeing and prohibition of any Zahavan citizen to be enslaved with the exception being those who were placed into bondage as punishment for a crime, and the disenfranchisement of any citizen who might refuse to take up arms in times of civil strife, and war. Kalliston also encouraged inter marriage between Zahavite and conquered peoples

The economy was also reformed encouraged, foreign tradesmen were invited to settle within the zahavite kingdom, and if they brought their families with them they could be granted citizenship. Kalliston commissioned the construction of many more naval vessels, but not just warships but also large barges to carry goods both up and down the coast, and up and down the vast river network. Kalliston also again standardized coinage across the zahavite realm and updated the weights and measures used on Zahavan goods to make them more competitive with the goods from neighboring states.

Kalliston ordered the construction, or rebuilding of a number of fortified settlements, the repaving of roadways and the establishment of checkpoints along the riverways under Zahavite control. Kalliston also began to establish military reforms opening service in the Zahavite army to any landowning citizen and no longer requiring Zahavite ethnic background for service, and in 140 BCE moved the Zahavite capital to Ephisia which Kalliston had also had rebuilt.

The reforms allowed the assimilation and mixing of Zahavite and early zahavan cultures, which overtime had the effect of providing stability to the growing areas under Zahavite control. By 131 BCE the Zahavite territory had come to include areas of what is today known as the Zimisces valley, as well as the upper Mageiaus. Kalliston then embarked on a campaign to head northwards, with the goal of taking the city of Nazrah but in 128 BCE Kalliston fell ill, and then died shortly thereafter. What followed was an outbreak of plague that lasted two years, resulting in a halt of zahavite expansion, as well as the ascension of Kalliston's eldest son Ilitoias Vastorius taking the Zahavite throne. Like his father Vastorius encouraged the mixing of cultures, and had his ascension confirmed by the religious orders. Still in 120 BCE a revolt, led by unnamed nobles belonging to pre-Zahavite states led a rebellion against Vastorius, the rebellion was short lived as records indicate several of the nobles were captured, and then ritually executed with a hammer by Vastorius in the same manner the Ephisian kind Sellion had been.

The Zahavite conquests to the south, had not been unnoticed by the Zahavan city states in the northern areas of the country, Arcanium, used fears of Zahavite invasion to reform the Arcanic league, much to the dismay of Iocanthos Selenopolis, and Calixium, the latter of which found itself in conflict with the league due to its refusal to cede lands to the league state of cesstium. When the rulers of Iocanthos and Selenopolis did nothing, the rulers of Calixium sent envoys to Vastorius asking for aid. Vastorius responded quickly, using the call for aid as a casus belli, and proclaiming himself a liberator began to march north thus starting the first Zahavite-Arcanic war.

Pax Zahava(217 CE - 420 CE)
The time known as the Pax Zahava, or domestically known as the Magna Imperium, was a 203 year period of unprecedented political and social stability in the Zahavan empire. During this period there were no large scale wars, or serious usurpers attempting to claim the imperial throne. The peace and stability allowed people of the empire to devote more time towards other activities, and it is during this time that a number of schools, libraries, and other centers for science are established by a number of wealthy, influential citizens, or by intellectuals on behalf of their patrons.

This focus on education would see a rapid expansion in the amount, and quality of Zahavan art, architecture, and other craft trades. This was furthered by advancements in technology such as the improvement and building of mills, aqueducts, and other hydro engineering projects which would further control flooding and allow for more land to be cultivated. Other technologies were developed and improved upon, water wheels became common use, and were used to power a number of things from grain to saw mills, strict government enforcement over the rotation of crops, and distributions of fertilizers ensured soil quality was maintained.

The government also implemented a system whereby land was divided up along a grid, with the central grid belonging to the state, and the other grids belonging to the farmers who worked them, this was applied only to imperial estates only while other systems such as tenant farming continued on private estates. This system allowed the government to stockpile food, and when one or more regions would experience famine ensure the distribution of food would still be possible. Other improvements included the development of an automatic harvester which could harvest grains by cutting the ears of the grain without the straw that was pushed by livestock.

In areas where the terrain was unsuitable for standard flat fields Zahavans developed the pit field system where crops were grown in heavily fertilized pits that did not require plows or oxen and could be placed on sloping terrain. In areas where irrigation was poor or flooding was still common Zahavans implemented the system which were chiefly used to grow rice.

Advancements were made in metallurgy as well with evidence showing the production of wrought iron, and improved methods of refining cast iron through the use of blast and cupola furnaces. This wrought iron could also be converted it into steel through the use of. Zahavans used bronze and iron to make a range of weapons, culinary tools, carpenters' tools and domestic wares. A significant product of these improved iron-smelting techniques was the manufacture of new agricultural tools. The iron seed drill, invented by the 2nd century BC, enabled farmers to carefully plant crops in rows instead of casting seeds out by hand, improved plows reduced the number of people needed to operate it, and was more efficient allowing for a much larger area of land to be cultivated than had previously been possible.

Republic Era (497 CE - 804 CE)
The republic era of Zahava would see a gradual decentralization in government, until essentially each segmentum was its own state, held together in a loose confederation with each state having its own senate and other legislative bodies or assemblies. The republic era would technically end in 700 CE when segmentum military commanders, who typically presided over the segmentums as elected officials called Tetrarchs would abolish or weaken the segmentum assemblies instead centralizing power around themselves some of which would form hereditary lines of succession and effectively re-establishing the city state eras of old. The key difference between the Tetrarch era and the previous city state era is that now all of the states within modern day zahava shared one culture, language, and had similar laws, social norms, religion and other shared cultural aspects.

The tetrarch rule would come to end when the tetrarch Zimisces I managed to campaign successfully against the other semgmentums unifying them all under his rule. Zimices would then declare himself emperor and begin the Zimisces dynasty as the first dynasty of the second Zahavan empire.

Geography
Zahava occupies a large area on the eastern coast of Avalonia and extends deep into the continental interior. Zahava shares land borders with Albaterra to the west, Koryeo to the south, and SiWallqanqa to the South West in addition to these it shares a maritime border with Agrana y Griegro via the isle of Trinidad.

The majority of Zahava lies between the equator and the tropic of Capricorn although the northern most sections of the country lie on or above the equator. At 2,368,896 km2 it is the third largest country in the world. Zahavan topography is also diverse and includes hills, mountains, plains, highlands, and scrublands.

Much of the terrain lies between 100-200 meters in elevation with the south west areas being mountainous with terrain ranging from 300 to 5000 meters with Mount Empion being the highest point in the country at 5033 meters. The east coast, and much of the interior areas are dominated by tropical forests, most of which comprise the Cyrene Rainforest and tropical savanna on low lying generally flat terrain with scattered rocky highlands, or plateaus. The southern coast is broken up with a transitional palm forest surrounded by yet more tropic and subtropic savanna leading to an extensive area of wetlands and marshes around lake Myddenia.

The southern regions are more rugged, dominated by subtropical savanna and thorny almost impassable shrubland scattered among broad rolling terrain broken up by low, rounded hills and occasional ravines and plateaus.

The western regions are dominated by a complex mass of ridges and mountain ranges, which at their lower elevations are covered in subtropical shrubland, and valleys of grassland. To the northwest there is a large swath of tropical steppe created due to heavy deforestation in the area, although some areas of the natural thicket and scrubland have been preserved.

Zahava has a dense and complex river system, with several major drainage basins that empty into the Iapetus Ocean. Major rivers include the Mageiaus, Laphis, and Masali.

Biodiversity
Zahava is a due to the high biological diversity, and having many species of flora and fauna which are exclusively indigenous, or endemic to the country. The Cyrene Rainforest is one of the largest such forests in the world, and has among the greatest levels biological diversity of any particular biome in the world. The rich wildlife of Zahava reflects the variety of natural habitats found within its borders. The Imperial Zoology and Natural Sciences Institute estimate that the total number of plant and animal species in Zahava could be well over four million.

Some of the larger mammals found in Zahava include the carnivores such as the tiger, lion, Avalonian Wild Dog, puma, jaguar, various types of leopards, ocelots and foxes. Large mammal herbivores include elephants, wild pigs, tapirs, anteaters, sloths, opossums, armadillos various types of deer/elk, wild horses, rhinoceros, various types of monkeys,squirrels and rodents, and several types of bovines.

Zahava is home to roughly 1800 different species of bird, of which some 240 are endemic. The types of birds vary greatly from raptors, the largest being the, considered sacred to the people of Zahava, and is the inspiration for the image of a two headed eagle which adorns the official seal of the country, and the current symbol dynasty holding the Imperial house. Other raptors include

Governance and Administration
The Imperium is broken up into several smaller administrative divisions:


 * The Imperium: This is the highest level of governance, and maintains authority over all Zahavan territories and people. The highest elected office is the Archon, whose appointment comes from the Imperial Senate, and is confirmed by the Emperor, the Emperor also reserves the ability to call for new elections for the office of Archon. The Archon oversees the Imperial Senate, and can veto legislation from the senate. The various government ministry and department heads report to the Archon. Additionally at the Imperial level are the Ordo Templi, which ensures no law or act agreed to by the Imperial government violates religious tenants, and the Imperial court, which serves as the highest court in the Imperium


 * Segmentums: The largest administrative division, Segmentums are headed by a Segmentarch, who is appointed by the Segmentum's councilum, essentially a segmentum level senate. The Segmentarch oversees and has limited veto powers over the Segmentum's councilium. The Segmentums councilum also elects members who will serve as the Segmentum's representatives in the Imperial senate. At this level are the Segmentum courts, which carry out judicial administration across the whole of the Segmentum


 * Prefecture: Prefectures are a further subdivision of Segmentums. Prefectures are themselves established, or dissolved by the Segmentum's Councilium. Prefectures are headed by a Vicar, who is appointed by the Segmentarch, and oversees and has veto powers over the Prefecture councilium. The Prefecture councilum is made up of enfranchised persons, who reside within the established boundaries of the Prefecture. For Judicial administration there are Prefecture courts, which are established by the Segmentum courts.


 * Polis: The polis is the smallest subdivision of government, typically only encompassing the boundaries of a particular city, town, or village. The Polis is governed by the Polis Councilum, which consists of elected persons who also reside within the boundaries of the Polis. The Polis councilium is headed by a Poliarch, who oversees and can veto measures proposed by the Polis Councilium. Some of the larger Polis' have Polis level courts for limited judicial affairs, although the majority of Polis' do not have their own courts, and instead use Prefecture or Segmentum courts for judicial administration

Foreign Relations
Zahava maintains diplomatic missions or embassies in 59 countries, the Imperium has territorial disputes with Agrana y Griegro over the isle of Trinidad. Zahava considers itself an advocate for developing countries, and is strongly in favor of decolonization efforts, particularly in Avalonia.

Much of the Zahavan foreign policy centers on the notion that colonial powers, and their descendant populations should restore authority to native peoples over the lands. This cornerstone of foreign policy occasionally runs counter to the Zahavan policy of harmony without uniformity, which encourages diplomatic relations between states despite ideological differences. The latter having resulted in Zahava supporting and working with states others have regarded as dangerous or repressive.

Zahava is a leading member of the ECOSEAS alliance, and supporter of the World Indigenous People's Organisation. Additionally it allows the International Movement for Socialism to maintain offices in Arcanium, most recently the Imperium, has begun transitioning to occupying a larger international role.

Military
The Sanctorus Imperialis Militarum sometimes referred to simply as the Militarum, is the armed forces of The Imperium of Zahava. The Militarum consists of six service branches, Imperial Army, Imperial Navy, Imperial Air Corps, Frontier Troops, Imperial Guard and the newly established Departmentum Cyberarium. Units are assigned to one of four theater commands known as Themes which are based on geographic location. The Militarum has an annual budget of 554 billion dollars annually giving it the largest military budget in the world.

Zahava is a recognized state and operates an undisclosed number of  and  in addtion to a limited number of   and. Zahava also has an extensive chemical weapons stockpile and is rumored to develop a number of biological weapons.

In the aftermath of the Eurekan War Zahava began undertaking extensive efforts to modernize its armed forces, particularly its navy and airforce, and began to transition to a quality over quantity approach. Since then Zahava has developed a number of and  capabilities that include,  and advanced , , and.

Zahava is large arms exporter, particularly to ECOSEAS member states, and has jointly developed a number of technologies primarily with Chezzetcook primarily in regards to naval assets. Since the early 2000s Zahava has made strives in the development of 100% domestic production, with the first fully indigenous aircraft carrier, the 80,0000 ton Prospero being launched in 2007.

Economy
Zahava has a diversified, lead by the service sector, which accounted for 74% of the GDP and employs about three-quarters of the country's workforce in 2020, whilst the accounted for 23.5% and the  accounted for the remaining 2.5%. Zahava is unusual in developed countries due to the importance of its primary sector, particularly in the areas of, and of rare minerals and uranium. Zahava has the world third largest economy, with a GDP totaling $6.536 Trillion in 2020, and has the 9th highest GDP per capita in the world with $48,462 per inhabitant.

Zahava is the largest economy in ECOSEAS, and has the second highest per capita income. Since joining ECOSEAS Zahava has pushed for a number of economic reforms, successfully lobbying for a number of initiatives to promote economic growth in the region such as the development of a sovereign wealth fund, and a preferential tariff schedule.

Financial services, banking, which consists largely of and  and insurance are the most important sectors of the economy. The Imperialis Argentari Commercium, literally "Imperial Financial Trade Market" is a stock exchange established in 1590 by nobleman Ankhu Ctesias as part of the the Ctesias trading Consortium now serves as the Stock exchange representing a number of companies both domestic and foreign.

Aristoi automotive group, consisting of Aristoi and its subsidiaries is the largest vehicle manufacturer in the Imperium offering a wide variety from high end performance and luxury cars to buses, trucks, and other commercial vehicles. IARM a majority state owned arms manufacturing consortium is another important part of the manufacturing sector of the economy together with a number of civilian aircraft manufacturing companies. In 1963 with growing concern over foreign ownership in the manufacturing sector, Primogenitor Abdelis Vastorius created the Externus Argentari Inspectorum Officium EAIO to ensure foreign takeovers and the establishment of foreign businesses would be beneficial to the Imperium.

Communications and Media
See also: Culture of Zahava

Tourism
Tourism is a major industry in Zahava and is important for the country's economy and is a rapidly growing industry that serves millions of international and domestic tourists yearly. Foreigners visit the Zahava to see natural wonders, cities, historic landmarks, ancient ruins or archeological sites, to visit the numerous wildlife preserves, or other outdoor attractions, and entertainment or sports venues.

Zahavans seek similar attractions, as well as recreation and vacation areas. Sex tourism is also popular particularly among foreigners due to Zahava's lack of inhibitions towards sex in general, legal prostitution, and culture of acceptance towards LGBTQ people.

Traditionally tourism was somewhat limited to wealthy aristocrats whom would visit key historic and religious sites, both as an unofficial coming of age ritual and, more often than not for political reasons, such as heirs to the Imperial throne visiting the shrine at the site of Zahavarius' victory. As advancements in transportation technology were made domestic tourism became an industry, with many key cities such as Arcanium actively marketing events, such as fairs, and later grand orchestras, or plays nationwide to draw visitors. Cities would even compete with one another for periods of time, both in efforts to draw specific acts or events to their cities, but also on which city could have the most visitors for any given event. Many cities in Zahava have a wide variety of night clubs and bars, with certain areas of the town typically catering to tourists from different regions. Arcanium has the so called "Colonial Row" where a series of night clubs, restaurants, and other venues specifically meant to cater to western Artimean visitors. These areas are typically more heavily patrolled by police and other security personnel to ensure the safety of tourists and businesses in these districts.

Religion also plays a large part in the Zahavan tourist industry with many practitioners making trips to the country for key holiday festivals or to visit sacred holy sites as part of a pilgrimage.

Zahava's many beaches, and the islands that makeup the exoticus segmentum are major tourist destinations and offer a wide variety of resorts, tours, and other activities for visitors to the Imperium.

Iocanthos
Iocanthos, and the nearby Fortes valley, and Septentrionalem coast receives millions of visitors a year and the area is the third most popular tourist destination in Zahava. The Septentrionalem coast is known for its good weather, clean waters which attract tourists for and has 115 kilometres (71 mi) of coastline and beaches where tourists engage in a number of water sports from swimming, water skiing, parasailing, sailing, fishing, boat racing, the area is popular with divers as well due to a significant number of easily accessible shipwrecks, some dating back to the age of sail. The area also has 18 golf courses, 14 resorts, 3,000 restaurants, hotels, bath houses and other attractions. The Septentrionalem coast also hosts a number of yearly boat shows, with the largest known as the Populus which hosts a large percentage of the world's superyacht fleet.

The region also has a number of historical sites some dating back to the bronze age ranging from ruins and recreated ancient Zahavan towns or villages, while the Fortes valley has a number of temples, shrines, palaces, and castles which draw visitors from all over the world. Some of the largest attractions are religious festivals that are carried out in the region as well as one of the largest football stadiums being located in Iocanthos.

Transportation and Infrastructure
Since the late 1990s, Zahava's national road network has been significantly expanded through the creation of a network of national highways and expressways, primarily focused on the coastal regions. More recently projects which aim to expand these networks to the interior have begun. At the same time the national railways were also been expanded, and by the end of 2018, Zahava's high-speed railway network reached a length of 29,000 km. In 1991 there were a total of 10 bridges crossing the Masali, and Mageiaus rivers, which effectively trisect the country in to three north central and south regions. In 2000 there were more than 100 road and railway bridges and tunnels of various capacities that crossed the river ways.

Zahava has the world's largest market for automobiles, with sales exceeding 24 million in 2017. The rapid expansion of road networks has seen a dramatic increase in vehicle related fatalities. Many blame poorly enforced traffic laws as the main cause, resulting in the government forming a new specific police force solely for the purpose of traffic law enforcement, the number of traffic accident related deaths almost immediately began to fall following this measure, however the number of fatalities on Zahavan roadways still remains higher than in other more developed parts of the world.

The government has also taken additional measures to improve roadway safety, both by requiring more rigorous driver education and testing, and through the use of modern roadway construction and safety measures. The government has also implemented strict safety regulations and consumer protection laws that all vehicle manufacturers must meet. From 2007 to 2016 traffic related fatalities fell by an additional 21%.

In many urban areas, bicycles, or small motorbikes remain a common mode of transport, despite the increasing prevalence of automobiles.

Zahava's railways, which are state-owned, are among the busiest in the world, as of 2017, the country had 127,000 km (78,914 mi) of railways. Despite this extensive network the railways often struggle to meet demand. Particularly around key religious holidays where large numbers of rural citizens travel to stay in cities for the festivals, or to make religious pilgrimages, the eleven days of celebration from December 16 to the 27th see one of the largest annual human migrations in the world.

In 2013, Zahavan railways delivered 2.406 billion passenger trips, generating 1,059.56 billion passenger-kilometers and carried 3.987 billion tons of freight, generating 2,917.4 billion cargo tons-kilometers. The government continues to upgrade and expand the railway network in order to better meet this staggering demand. Beginning in 2000 the government began construction of high speed rail and metro systems for urban travel. The highspeed network includes the Nazrah-Arcanium-Selonopolis or NAS line, with an annual ridership of over a billion passengers in 2015. To date the NAS is the fastest train in Zahavan service with a top speed of 440 km/hr. In 2009 the government began construction on a maglev high-speed train connecting Arcanium and Nazrah, that would reach a speed of 600 km/hr, if the project is successful this line would be expanded to other urban areas.

Since 2000, the growth of rapid transit systems in Zahavan cities has accelerated. As of January 2016, 26 Zahavan cities have urban mass transit systems in operation and 39 more have metro systems currently under construction, with a further two dozen recently having their system proposals approved by the government. There are more than 210 airports in Zahava with up to 230 planned for completion by 2024. It is expected that by 2030 Zahava's commercial airline fleet will be approaching 6300 aircraft. Like road and rail networks, civil aviation in Zahava has seen rapid and largescale expansion. This has made some of Zahava's largest airports among the busiest in the world.

Zahava has 110,000 kilometers of navigable rivers, streams, lakes, and canals, with over 2,700 river and seaports, about 140 of which are open to foreign shipping of these eighteen are considered "major" shipping ports with a capacity of over 50 million tons per year, In 2015 Zahava's major coastal ports handled 3.2 billion tons of freight. River traffic and the use of canals and barrages remains a common method for moving cargo from the interior regions to the coastal regions for sale or processing and export, with ships of up to 10,000 tons being able to navigate some 1,000km inland on the Masali river.

Traffic on the inland waterways exceeded 3.459 billion tonnes of cargo in 2016, with passenger traffic reaching 271 million people. Construction of new railways and highways has diminished the utility of Zahava's rivers for passenger transport. Nonetheless, passenger boats are still popular in some regions, and remain a popular tourist activity.

Energy
Zahava is among the worlds largest energy consumers, and likewise since the 1980s its energy production has increased dramatically to meet domestic demand. Zahava has very limited reserves of natural gas and crude oil, instead relying heavily on renewable energy sources such as hydroelectric,, and especially to meet energy demands. Zahava's nucler program began in earnest in the 1990s with facilities set up to utilize readily available domestic sources of uranium.

In 2018 nuclear power accounted for 65% of Zahavan electricity production, hydropower power accounted for 13%, bio-fuels 10%, renewables 3%, and fossil fuels 9%.

All sources of power production are nationalized and under the authority of the administratum of energy, with plans to build an additional eleven nuclear power plants with the stated goal to become a net energy exporter.

Demographics


The 2019 census recorded the population of Zahava to be 1,001,230,145 bout 16.60% of the population were 14 years old or younger, 72.14% were between 15 and 59 years old, and 11.26% were over 60 years old. The population growth rate is expected to be 0.52%. Zahava makes up a large bulk of the worlds poor, although the government has started to make large scale efforts to increase the standard of living and lower the percentage of the population living in poverty. From 2009–2018, the unemployment rate in Zahava has averaged to be about 4%.

Population growth is a concern of the government, and extensive efforts on the spread of contraceptives and safe sex practices has been undertaken in attempts to control it. For brief periods of time the government has limited the number of children a household can have. Males account for 51.18% of the population.

The average life expectancy in India is at 73.4 years—76.1 years for women and 70.8 years for men. Migration from rural to urban areas has been an important dynamic in India's recent history. The number of people living in urban areas grew by 42.2% between 1991 and 2001. Although the vast majority of people still inhabit rural areas.

The literacy rate in Zahava varies dependent upon region, but remains relatively high compared to peoples level of income with a national literacy rate of 96.3%. This is largely due to the tradition of free and communal education and the cultural values placed on education overall.

Religion


The Epitoma Aiona contains the majority of Zahavan religious tradition and serves as a spiritual guide to the Zahavan ideas of the origin of the universe, the origins of the humanity, the lives of heroes, interactions between the gods and mankind, and the nature of the human soul. Zahavan religion is organized under a system of priestly offices with the Primogenitor being the head the faith. The next highest church official being the Ecclesiarch Imperialis a position appointed by the Primogenitor. Duties of the priestly offices include include deifying the Emperor, supervision of rituals and leading of prayers and other religious services or rites.

Zahavans practice daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly rituals as well as some more infrequent ones dependent upon a multitude of conditions. Rituals may consist of animal sacrifices, or prayers, and incantations made to heroes of Zhavan lore or to a specific individual or group of gods. In addition to the gods and heroes of the Aiona, Zahavans also worship their ancestors and often have a chosen familial deity meant to watch over protect and provide for the family, many Zahavans also worship the Primogenitor, as a descendant of the divine and a protector of all humanity.

Freedom of religion is guaranteed in Zahava, although unofficially Zahavan polytheism is the state religion and religious organizations other than this are subject to religious oversight by the government, and must pay taxes at a higher rate than Zahavan polytheist counterparts still enclaves of various religious sects exist in the country, typically confined to a specific village, town, or part of a region.

A 2016 study found 98.6% of Zahavan citizens identified as being practitioners of Zahavan Polytheism, making Zahavan Polytheism one of the most followed religions in the world, the remaining 1.4% being divided up among various branches of Christianity, Islam, and other faiths. Over 97% of those not following Zahavan Polytheism were identified as being foreign born persons.

Cities
Beggining in the early 1980s Zahava has seen a steadily increasing movement of citizens moving from the rural interior to urban centers closer to the coast, primarily seeking better employment and earning potential opportunities. As of 2020 fifty-one percent roughly 510 million people now reside in urban centers. The largest cities in Zahava, in terms of population within an urban area are Arcanium (20,217,700), Iocanthos (16,446,900), Barca (13,552,359) Calixium (12,552,359), Moirae (12,478,447), Akragas (12,446,900) Nazrah (11,007,835), Thraxia (10,313,714) and Selonopolis (10,291,486), and Ephisia (9,358,400).

Arcanium is the capital of the Imperium and since times of antiquity has been a center for commerce, industry, and culture as well as the seat of government. Other cites developed as centers of key industries, or trade, due to their geographic location and proximity to accessible transportation networks or specifically desired resources. Of all the segmentums of the Imperium, the Raetium Segmentum has the greatest number of large urban centers with 5 of the top 20 cities in the Imperium being found in Raetium.

Education
Zahavans have enjoyed some form of public education since the height of the second Imperial era nearly two thousand years ago. Zahava has maintained a high level of literacy throughout its history. With many towns and cities having multiple libraries, the Imperium considers it crucial that its citizens have access to the deep literary tenets of the Zahavan culture extending back as far as 700 BCE.

Early Childhood Education
Daycare and nursery-kindergarten are considered critical for developing the cooperation and communication skills important to prepare young children for lifelong education, as well as formal learning of reading and mathematics, with the focus of education in early childhood being for students to “learn how to learn”, additionally it is considered important to instill a strong moral foundation for children beginning at an early age. To this end children are often told stories about great men and women, or cautionary tales about individual failures, which are meant to instill Zahavan values into children. Parents and family members are expected to act as role models. With education considered invaluable to the preservation of Zahavan culture, much of services that consist of early childhood education are provided by the state with education payments, when applicable are scaled based on family income.

Schools, or daycares are overseen by appointed schola magisters, who serve as teachers for students, early childhood education does not focus on formal education and instead focuses on nature, animals, and the “circle of life” and a focus on materials- based learning. To encourage a positive attitude towards learning in general it is common practice that, after birth families are provided with a number of books both for children and adults.

Primary Comprehensive Education
The compulsory educational system in Zahava consists of a twelve-year comprehensive school from the ages of 5 to 18, broken up into grades 1-12. The education system is further broken up into varying levels of scholariums or schools. Level 1 scholariums consist of grades 1-4 (ages 5-11), Level 2 scholariums consist of grades 5-8 (ages 11-14) and level 3 scholariums of grades 9-12 (ages 14-18)

At all levels of the comprehensive education students are taught both practical skills such as basic sewing, and cooking in conjunction with their formal areas of study. Homework is typically kept minimal, and outdoor activities and exercises are heavily encouraged along with reading for pleasure. Many children's shows in the Imperium feature books that allow children to "interact" with the characters in the programs.

The atmosphere in classrooms is formal, pupils are expected to show their schola magisters high levels of respect and many schools implement uniforms which students must wear and maintain. Class sizes are traditionally kept low, with roughly 20-25 pupils per classroom. Where this is not feasible classrooms often have more than one schola magister.

The Zahavan education system does not have gifted programs during the normal school day. Students who excel in their studies are expected to assist those who are struggling, and may take advanced courses in special after hours programs. Other programs offered include musical instrument instruction, organized sports or competitions, and more advanced practical instruction such as additional foreign language studies.

At level 1 scholariums students begin their formal education in traditional areas of study, students are additionally also taught a foreign language which is typically French, or Spanish. Students also receive formal religious instruction.

Level 2 scholariums students continue with their formal education, second language and religious instruction but on more advanced areas of study. In recent times students, particularly in the urban centers have also began receiving basic computer science and programming instruction.

Level 3 scholariums continue with their formal education, second language and religious instruction but on still more advanced areas of study such as trigonometry. Students also receive education in budgeting and financial management, students are also administered aptitude tests to provide them with better guidance on whether they should attend trade school, or seek secondary education

Students are assessed quarterly students who score poorly in one half quarter must show improvement by the end of the second half or they will be forced to retake a course and be prevented from going onto the next grade. At the completion of 12th grade, if a student has acceptable evaluations they will receive their Primary Comprehensive Education diploma, which will allow them to attend either trade schools, or go on to secondary education at Adeptorium. Depending on evaluations, interviews and desired vocational job or adeptorium area of study the state may cover all costs associated with the programs.

Crime and law enforcement
Each Province maintains its own provincial wide police force, while cities, towns and villages also have their own smaller law enforcement forces. Provincia Arbites, Urbs Arbites and Praedium Arbites respectively.

Besides the Ordo Custodes the Imperialis Arbites are the only Empire wide police force. Unlike the Custodes the Arbites are focused primarily on enforcement of the Lex Imperialis which serves as the legal code of the Empire, although the two agencies regularly work closely together.

Similarly towns and cities have their own courts, which deal with matters within the jurisdiction of the town or city they reside in, these are commonly referred to as Polis Courts. Above these courts are Prefecture courts, which have a county level jurisdiction deal with appeals from the polis courts, above these are the provincial courts who likewise deal with appeals from the Prefecture courts, and above these are the Imperial courts. Judgements from a lower court can be appealed to a higher court, but judgements issued by a court at the Imperial level are only able to have their decisions overturned by an Imperial decree usually following the advice of the Imperial Council of Justices who advise the Primogenitor on legal matters and handle legal proceedings for the Imperial house.

Art
People visiting or living in Zahava or the cities throughout the Imperium are exposed to art in a range of styles and media on a daily basis. Public or official art—including sculpture, monuments such as victory columns, or triumphal arches, or large commemorative statues, religious shrines and the iconography printed onto coins and paper money are the most common form of art people in the Imperium are exposed to.

Art is often religious in nature, depicting a god, or group of gods, ancestors, or in the case of murals often using visual images to tell one of the many ancient epics from Zahavan lore. Art, more importantly high quality art is enjoyable by all persons in the Imperium, not merely those who are wealthy. Temples, shrines, public baths, and other gathering places all are typically adorned with high quality art, while wealthy individuals may commission paintings, sculptures, or other works of art to be displayed publicly both as a means of flaunting their wealth but also as a means of showing their appreciation for culture.

Even items used for commercial use or interior decoration often display varying degrees of esthetic quality and artistic skill.

Oddly however for the most part artists and other artisans are often looked down upon in Zahavan society loosely considered to be akin to manual laborers, Still the required skills to produce quality work was recognized, and is often even considered a divine gift. For those exceptionally skilled artists they may be invited to reside in the home of a wealthy aristocrat producing private commissioned works for them, in fact it is common for Zahavan upper classes to use the works produced by their private artisans as a means of conducting showmanship and competition between rival noble houses.

Music
Music and singing play important parts in Zahavan culture as well and range over various traditions and regional styles. Many religious rites and ceremonies include incantations or prayers being said in a specific melody while certain instruments are believed to ward off ill influences from affecting certain rituals and ceremonies. Music also plays a large part in funerary rites, with funeary processions typically being accompanied by a small band playing music to ward off nefarious spirits, and to celebrate the deceased's spirit ascending to the Hall of tranquillitas.

Music and song are also considered important aspects of social events, with music typically accompanying the evening meal, or in the occasion of guests visiting it is common for children to sing or do other performances for the visiting parties, both as a means of providing entertainment and a means for the hosts to showboat the quality of education and talents of their children. Music is believed to closely resemble the order of the cosmos and is thus considered important for study in addition to subjects like mathematics and knowledge.

Songs also play an important role as a means of self expression and provides a means to preserve local history, with many folk songs revolving around historical events or epic stories, music is also important in a marshal sense, with many aristocrats and the Imperial house having their own marches which announce their arrival, the military itself has a wide variety of marches and songs that vary from regiment to regiment and musical instruments are often depicted in Zahavan art.

Literature
See also: Zahavan Mythology

Zahavans have always placed a special emphasis on written word, and record keeping. The ancient scribe Laothoe is quoted as saying "If the sea were ink, there would still not be enough of it to record all the concerns, ledgers, reports, and private messages of the members of the Imperial Government."

Laws and edicts are traditionally posted in writing as well as read out at town squares. While being illiterate was no excuse for one caught breaking a new law. Religion, and the belief that rituals, prayers, and ceremonies must be conducted in the proper manner and order also play a key part in the Zahavan value on written word, to conduct a religious ceremony incorrectly would risk offending the gods and could bring great misfortune on oneself or family.

The preservation and honoring of Ancestors, and other folk tales or epics, and the deeds of these hereos or historical figures is another reason Zahavan's place high value on the written word, and why literacy rates remain high despite the dire financial situation many people in Zahava face.

Sports
Association football is the most popular sport in the Imperium. With cities, and segmentums having their own leagues connected via a system of promotion and relegation. The highest tier, or top flight Tropaion League is often considered one of the most prestigious football leagues in the world and represents the highest level of competition in the Imperial football league system.

The Zahavan National Football Team regularly performs well in the AIFA Anterran Cup, winning the 2019 title, resulting in the teams seventh title overall now tied with rival Agrana y Griegro for the second most titles, the national football team also has the second most top four finishes overall with 19.

is another highly popular sport, with the Zahava Open being one of the major tennis festivals of the Anterran Tennis League. Other popular spectator sports include, , , , , , , and. Water sports like, , and are popular in Zahava as well. Motorsports have become increasingly popular in recent years particularly racing with a number of Zahavan metropolises having built tracks.

, mainly of white stags and general, , , , , , and general  as well as other outdoors, exploration type activities are popular in Zahava.

Cuisine
Zahavan cuisine consists of a wide variety of regional and traditional cuisines, and includes influences from religious practices and varies dependent upon ones social class. All Zahavans typically eat three meals today, and have at least one break, typically at 10am or 7pm where they break for tea or coffee.

Zahavans believe that the first meal of the day is important to both having a successful day and for maintaining good general overall health, typically breakfast occurs in the early morning and consists of porridge or flatbread, with some vegetables, fruit, eggs, milk, juice, or yogurt based drinks and finished with coffee.

Breakfast is followed by an optional break for tea or coffee which serves more of a social purpose than as an actual meal, "tea" typically consists of tea or coffee with finger sandwiches, or small sweet rolls.

Lunch is typically served around mid day, and typically consists of a flatbread sandwiches with pork, chicken, or fish, an alternative to flatbread sometimes meat served with rice and a variety of sauces, other lunch meals consist of a soup made with legumes, or salad, with some fruit and vegetables served with tea, fruit juice, or carbonated drinks.

Dinner is the largest meal of the day and typically consists of pork, chicken, fish, beef, or in some cases game meats like venison served in a stew or over rice with a variety of sauces and vegetables, flatbread, cheeses, and fruits followed by rice puddings, cakes, fried dough, or breads with honey. Dinner is usually accompanied with wines or beers, tea or coffee.

Dinner is followed by another "tea" which similarly to the earlier tea gathering serves more a social purpose than actual meal, the later tea gathering typically has sweet rolls or small cups of ice cream as opposed to finger sandwiches.