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Nemedia was the eastern neighbor and main rival to Aquilonia. Their lengthy histories include several wars against each other, but each has failed to achieve complete victory.[1]

The capital was Belverus, situated among a fertile agricultural area. The Road of Kings and another major caravan highway meet in Numalia, which served as the second major center of the kingdom.[1]

History

Origin

By the end of the Age of Acheron, circa 13,000 BC, the Nemedi were one of the many Hybori tribes dwelling north- and eastwards of the empire of Acheron, the Nemedi themselves being eastwards of Acheron, westwards of the Brythuni, southwards of the Aquiloni, and northwards of the Corinthi.[2]

The area of Nemedia was once part of Acheron. 3,000 years before the Age of Conan, the Hyborian tribes invaded Acheron from the north. They destroyed Acheron and set up new kingdoms over its ruins. Nemedia is one of the oldest of these Hyborian Kingdoms.[3][1][4]

The Nemedians did inherit certain elements of Acheronian civilization. They received and nurtured a tradition of scholarship and intellectual research. The leading Hyborian historians and philosophers were all Nemedians. The Nemedian Chronicles would become the main source for an otherwise forgotten era of human history.[1]

King Bragorus' rule (circa 10,900 BC)

900 years before the the Age of Conan, Nemedia was ruled by King Bragorus. He invaded Aquilonia but was driven back.[5]

King Sabaretus (circa 10,700 BC)

Seven centuries before the Age of Conan, the proud and barbarous sorceror-king Sabaretus ruled in the Nemedian Hills. By unknown means, though presumably through intrigue and murder, Sabaretus obtained the Blood Crystal of Charii'isi, and made a pact with the powerful entity inhabiting the gem, allowing him to grew in wealth and power, until he threatened the entire known world. Sabaretus suffered physical alterations, and disappeared at the height of his power.[6] It is unclear whether Sabaretus ruled over Nemedia on its whole, or a part of it.

Age of Conan (10,000 BC)

By circa 10,000 BC (8,000 years after the Great Cataclysm), Nemedia had become the second most powerful Hyborian monarchy.[7]

King Numa's rule

For a time, Nemedia was ruled by King Numa.[8]

Prince Tarascus wished to mount a campaign against Aquilonia, and forced Conan to help him find the Lost Treasure Mines of Acheron to finance his endeavor. Tarascus' party was ravaged in the adventure, during which the Demon God of Acheron was awakened and its spawn destroyed the Sons of Acheron.[9]

Tarascus II's rule

King Tarascus II of Nemedia entered an alliance with Queen Leora's Ophir, and King Xantaus' Argos against King Conan I's Aquilonia, conspiring with the Aquilonian false priest of Mitra, Crassus. Tarasacus claimed Gunderland and the Bossonian Marches.[10]

After the Age of Conan

Nemedia was defended by Aesir mercenaries, and eventually became a Nordic kingdom, later overthrown by the Cimmerians and other tribes fleeing the advance of the glacier.[3]

Legacy

By the Modern Age, the lands formerly known as Aquilonia and Nemedia were occupied by the countries of France and Germany.[11]

Facts

Religion

The worship of Mitra was state-endorsed, but the academic focus of Nemedia led to a liberal atmosphere, and thus to a tolerance of a large number of religious sects, including the philosophical Skepicts, a cult of Ishtar, and followers of the Stygian Serpent god Set.[1]

Circa 10,000 BC, in the town once known as Red Tree Hill, some of the townsfolk came to worship the Cimmerian god Crom when an inquisitor tried to execute captive Conan after having slain a priest of Mitra, and was struck by lightning after Conan shouted "Crom damn you!" to his face.[12]

Herald

Nemedia's herald was a red dragon on a gold field.[13]

Law and Justice

The legal courts are credited with trying to both convict the guilty and to set free the wrongly accused. Like all "civilized" nations of the Hyborian World, Nemedia has a population of slaves. Several of them being former criminals or people unable to pay their debts. However, Nemedia is unique in that it has set certain protections for the slaves into law. The armed law enforcement force of Nemedia is charged with offering protection to nobles, freemen, and serfs alike.[14]

Circa 10,000 BC, by royal edict, all Acheronian artifacts, including gold coins, were property of the crown.[9]

Points of Interest

Residents

See Also

Links and References

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Handbook of the Conan Universe #1 ; Nemedia's profile
  2. ↑ Giant-Size Conan #1 ; The High Point of the Empire of Acheron
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Savage Sword of Conan #38 ; A Gazetteer of the Hyborian Age, Part VI: Nemedia's entry
  4. ↑ Giant-Size Conan #1 ; Conan the Conqueror - The Hour of the Dragon - Chapter One
  5. ↑ Savage Sword of Conan #204 ; Drums and Death Out of Tombalku
  6. ↑ Red Sonja (Vol. 3) #1
  7. ↑ Conan the Adventurer #5
  8. ↑ Giant-Size Conan #2 ; Conan Bound!
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Marvel Graphic Novel: Conan the Barbarian: The Witch Queen of Acheron
  10. ↑ Conan the King #29
  11. ↑ Conan the Barbarian #1 ; The Hyborian Page
  12. ↑ Conan the Barbarian (Vol. 3) #3 ; The Life & Death of Conan: part three - Cimmerians Don't Pray
  13. ↑ Savage Sword of Conan #44 ; Notes on Hyborian Heraldry and Cartography
  14. ↑ Handbook of the Conan Universe #1