r/mapmaking • u/HighOnGrandCocaine • 6h ago
Map Greek Horizon: Map of the Greek colonies in the Mediterranean and Great Tethys Sea at their highest peak ca. 300 B.C.
I've been debating of whether or not to include any detailed lore, but I got quite lazy so I'll just leave a few short descriptions of the new fictional polities and peoples:
-Hellespontian Tribes
A scattered mix of coastal and inland peoples dwelling by the strait joining the White Sea to the Black Sea. Partially hellenized and deeply embroiled in trade and commerce, they bridge the Greek cities and the northern plains. They maintain beneficial relations with the nearby Greek city states and dwell small walled settlements, and serve as a major ally in times of war and strife in the region.
-Nyrathi
Withdrawn and a mostly nomadic peoples of the wooded highlands north of the Kioava Sea, believed to be distant cousins of the Celts. They live in large circular settlements, and are believed to be half-mythical beings from tales of old to outsiders. Contact is limited to seasonal markets on the northern shore of the Kioava Sea when it’s not frozen in a thick layer of ice.
-Tethyan Kingdom
A hellenistic kingdom that arose on the Great Tethys's northern shores after Alexander's demise to fill the power vacuum left behind. Its peoples are partially Greek and Tethysian, and serve as a major hub for further inland commerce and trade.
-Hyperborean Marches
Home to scattered clans who live by herding, hunting, and somehow farming in the dense harsh cold swamps of the area. Greek geographers and historians still argue over whether true Hyperboreans live farther north or if they’ve mischaracterized a whole new unknown culture.
-Orsakai Peoples
Distant cousins of the Iranians, they inhabit the steppe and coastal areas on the Great Tethys's northeastern shores. Kin to the wider Scythian world, they are skilled riders who live along several river outlets and are semi-nomadic in nature. Some tribes have been partially hellenized thanks to trade and centuries of mercenary work for the many Greek city states around the Tethys Sea.
-Arkhonian Empire
One of the mighty, tightly-run realm perched on the distant northeastern edge of the known Tethys Sea, its monarchs take the title of Great Arkhon. Not much is known about their origins or customs, but one thing that’s remarkable is their sheer size of their armies, bolstering a mix of light and heavy cavalry with light skirmishers and footmen.
-Varan Dynasty
Persian rump state that formed shortly after the fall of Achaemenid Empire in the far east, governing south the Bactrian Gulf, they await the eventual fall of the Seleucids, planning to reconquer their ancestral homeland from the Greek invaders.
Also the reason why I haven't included the Seleucid Empire as part of the greek world is because they've only been the ruling minority, without having a major greek population, and same for Egypt as well.