The Southern Civili: An Introduction
Lucia Domitia Apanensus, Office of the Governer, Nova Ostia, Nova Britannia
Imp. 1616 A.D.
The Southern Civili are comprised of five distinct tribal groupings, collectively residing in the southeastern portion of Terra Corum bounded by the Fl. Mississippi and the Fl. Tennessee. They first arrived in the area almost one hundred years ago, according to their oral traditions. (None of the tribes keep extensive records, although all are literate to some degree.)
First to arrive were the Muscogi. A confederation of tribes, rather than a single tribe, they are the most numerous of the civili, totaling more than fifty thousand members by current estimates. They inhabit the area from the southern end of the Montes Caligosi to just north of Nova Ostia and from the eastern coast to the headwaters of the Fl. Tennessee.
Next to arrive were the Cheroci, who settled in to the north of the Muscogi, and the Choctau, who settled in the area to the west of the Muscogi and east of the Fl. Mississippi. Both tribes number roughly thirty thousand members, with the Choctau being slightly more numerous.
The next were the Chicasau, who settled in the area between the Choctau and the Fl. Tennessee to the west of the Cheroci.They number some twenty five thousand.
Last to appear were the Seminole, who number roughly fifteen thousand. The Seminole are not a tribe, but rather a mix of immigrants from the other four civili tribes, who settled in the Peninsula Florida starting some fifty years ago. These last have requested and received Roman protection in exchange for technological and other aid.
The civili when they first appeared were nomads, living in bark and pole tents styled chici and subsisting by hunting and gathering. They swiftly settled in thereafter, cultivating maize and other crops and domesticating rabbits, fowl, and dogs. They lacked metal tools or the knowledge to make them, relying on wood, stone, bone, and antler for raw materials. They wore animal skins decorated with polished stones, shells, and feathers, made rope, baskets, and structures from skins and plant fibers. Containers they made from gourds and pottery. They possessed a written language, which they wrote on cured bark, hides, and parchment made from plant fibers with inks made from berry juices and animal secretions.
Their societies are patriarchal; men hold all positions of authority. Women, especially those past their childbearing years, form advisory councils and wield great influence. Marriage is in the late teens and early twenties for both sexes and is for life; widows and widowers do not remarry. Birth rates are higher than in the Imperium, averaging 2.5 children per couple over their lifetime. Average lifespan is slightly shorter: 59 years for males and 61 years for females.
The civili, along with most other natives, have adopted many Roman practices in the intervening period. They wear Roman tunics and other clothing, use rifles for hunting and defense, steel tools and cookware, and plastic containers and other items. They have for the most part foregone the chici for Roman style dwellings of brick and stone. Roman crops such as wheat, barley, olives, and grapes and animals such as sheep and domesticated pigs have entered their culture as well. Many have learned Latin and attend Roman schools as well.
Given another hundred years the civili will be unrecognizable to their ancestors; given two hundred they will be indistinguishable from other citizens of the Imperium. This is a tribute both to their adaptability and to our own culture.
NOTE: Cheroci = Cherokee; Choctau = Choctaw; Chicasau = Chickasaw; Muscogi = Muscogee, also known as Creek; Chici = Chickee, which is as described except that they are semi-permanent in nature rather than temporary. The Roman writer's sense of superiority unfortunately creeps in at the end, but her report is otherwise accurate as far as it goes.
Lucia Domitia Apanensus, Office of the Governer, Nova Ostia, Nova Britannia
Imp. 1616 A.D.
The Southern Civili are comprised of five distinct tribal groupings, collectively residing in the southeastern portion of Terra Corum bounded by the Fl. Mississippi and the Fl. Tennessee. They first arrived in the area almost one hundred years ago, according to their oral traditions. (None of the tribes keep extensive records, although all are literate to some degree.)
First to arrive were the Muscogi. A confederation of tribes, rather than a single tribe, they are the most numerous of the civili, totaling more than fifty thousand members by current estimates. They inhabit the area from the southern end of the Montes Caligosi to just north of Nova Ostia and from the eastern coast to the headwaters of the Fl. Tennessee.
Next to arrive were the Cheroci, who settled in to the north of the Muscogi, and the Choctau, who settled in the area to the west of the Muscogi and east of the Fl. Mississippi. Both tribes number roughly thirty thousand members, with the Choctau being slightly more numerous.
The next were the Chicasau, who settled in the area between the Choctau and the Fl. Tennessee to the west of the Cheroci.They number some twenty five thousand.
Last to appear were the Seminole, who number roughly fifteen thousand. The Seminole are not a tribe, but rather a mix of immigrants from the other four civili tribes, who settled in the Peninsula Florida starting some fifty years ago. These last have requested and received Roman protection in exchange for technological and other aid.
The civili when they first appeared were nomads, living in bark and pole tents styled chici and subsisting by hunting and gathering. They swiftly settled in thereafter, cultivating maize and other crops and domesticating rabbits, fowl, and dogs. They lacked metal tools or the knowledge to make them, relying on wood, stone, bone, and antler for raw materials. They wore animal skins decorated with polished stones, shells, and feathers, made rope, baskets, and structures from skins and plant fibers. Containers they made from gourds and pottery. They possessed a written language, which they wrote on cured bark, hides, and parchment made from plant fibers with inks made from berry juices and animal secretions.
Their societies are patriarchal; men hold all positions of authority. Women, especially those past their childbearing years, form advisory councils and wield great influence. Marriage is in the late teens and early twenties for both sexes and is for life; widows and widowers do not remarry. Birth rates are higher than in the Imperium, averaging 2.5 children per couple over their lifetime. Average lifespan is slightly shorter: 59 years for males and 61 years for females.
The civili, along with most other natives, have adopted many Roman practices in the intervening period. They wear Roman tunics and other clothing, use rifles for hunting and defense, steel tools and cookware, and plastic containers and other items. They have for the most part foregone the chici for Roman style dwellings of brick and stone. Roman crops such as wheat, barley, olives, and grapes and animals such as sheep and domesticated pigs have entered their culture as well. Many have learned Latin and attend Roman schools as well.
Given another hundred years the civili will be unrecognizable to their ancestors; given two hundred they will be indistinguishable from other citizens of the Imperium. This is a tribute both to their adaptability and to our own culture.
NOTE: Cheroci = Cherokee; Choctau = Choctaw; Chicasau = Chickasaw; Muscogi = Muscogee, also known as Creek; Chici = Chickee, which is as described except that they are semi-permanent in nature rather than temporary. The Roman writer's sense of superiority unfortunately creeps in at the end, but her report is otherwise accurate as far as it goes.