Over the next few weeks, look for semi-regular articles highlighting new features or aspects of A.D. 633: Rise of Islam. This first "Spotlight" will feature some of the new coats of arms in our recently-released Crusader Kings II mod, as well as a little of the history behind them. Enjoy.
House Meroving
The Meroving dynasty gets its name from Merovech, the father of Childeric I, the dynasty founder. Childeric ruled the Salian Franks and was the father of the famous Clovis I, who united the Franks and greatly expanded their empire by defeating Gallo-Roman, Burgundian, and Visigothic nations. The Merovings ruled the Franks for nearly 300 years, gradually weakening in power until they were replaced by the Karlings. When the grave of Childeric I was unearthed in the 17th century, scores of gilded bees were found stitched to his cloak, probably as an important dynasty symbol.
Thus the CoA of house Meroving in-game is a purple-red ground with golden bees. Interestingly, Napoleon adopted the bee as his royal symbol (right) in an attempt to recapture some of their perceived glory. The Merovings are featured in several popular conspiracy and fiction narratives, including The Da Vinci Code and The Matrix.
House Sassanid
The true founder of the Sassanid dynasty was Ardashir I 'the Unifier' of Estakr. He overthrew the last ruler of the weakened Arsacid Parthian empire, founding a new line that would last for 400 years. Sassanid rulers were known as Shahanshah, or King of Kings, calling to mind the more ancient Achaemanid emperors. At its height, the Sassanid empire rivalled Rome as a world power, fighting numerous wars with that western neighbor with varying degrees of success. The personal and royal standard of the Sassanids, the Derafsh Kaviani, was a stylized four-pointed star on a purple or red ground, with red and gold streamers. The in-game CoA of the Sassanids is one possible rendition of the Derafsh Kaviani.
House of Ghassan
The Ghassanids were an Arab house that emerged as the rulers of the area of Arabia just to the southeast of the Roman Empire in the 3rd century. They quickly became clients of the Romans, maintaining a close relationship for their 4 centuries of rule. The Ghassanids, who were Monophysites, were continually at war with the Lakhmids, a Nestorian Arab tribe to the east who were clients of the Sassanids. Although the Ghassanids were eventually conquered in the early Islamic invasions, their line survived. Rulers with Ghassanid blood sat on several European and Middle Eastern thrones over the centuries, and the house lives on today. Although it is unknown what standard the ancient Ghassanids flew, the have a modern Coat of Arms with symbolism reflecting their diverse past, which inspired the in-game CoA.
More Info and Download
In addition to the three dynasties discussed above, the mod includes other historical dynasties:
- The Balthes, a Visigothic house whose founder Alaric sacked Rome. They are Dukes in Cantabria in 633.
- The Gepids, an Ostrogothic tribe famous for Cunimund, who was killed by the King of the Lombards, Alboin, who legendarily drank from his deceased rival's skull.
- The Chagan Khudah, rulers of independent Samarkand
- And more!
If you would like to download the full release of A.D. 633: Rise of Islam, please follow the link:
