Arṭali

From Almeopedia

Arṭali [aɽ ˈʈa li ], originally a colony of Guṭḷeli, lingered in relative obscurity during the Classical Skourene period, mainly notable for being the site of the first Axunemi invasion of the Littoral. On the other hand, it managed to stay free of Tžuro occupation.

Arṭali was founded 472 in Barmund, as the Skourene states raced to stake a claim on its shores to deny them to the advancing trade empire of the Jei. Korileŋ would be founded directly upriver in the coming years. This was by no means a united effort, though, and after a Guṭḷelik force tried and failed to capture nearby Ŋinṭali by land (635), the Kolatimandi annexed the colony in retaliation. Kuḷiŋibor, itself a a former Guṭḷelik colony that had recently rebelled against its Kolatimandik rulers, lay siege to the city and captured it in 819.

Then, in 885, the Arṭali area became the site of a tentative Axunemi invasion, but this half-hearted attempt was defeated within two years by the combined forces of the Muḍureg. It wasn't as fortunate in 1095, when it fell to Axunai's forces and was incorporated into its new province of Mura. Axunemi control of the region waned as it began another offensive in the Namal, and its focus on Pitrat allowed Arṭali to declare its independence in 1190.

Surprisingly, it managed to preserve its independence for over seven centuries, although part of this was no doubt due to its remoteness: no Skourene state ever attacked it directly, and it remained out of reach of the Kurundasti Tej. Still, the skill of its armies should not be discounted; it handily defeated an invasion force sent by Tandau, and would manage some gains against the Tžuro, notably the 1810 liberation of Kuḷiŋibor.

Etymology: Old Skourene ‘green place’, Uṭandal Arṭai, Tžuro Arčeli, Ṭeôši Arṭäl.

Author: Yebi