Altara

From A Wheel of Time Wiki

Altara
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Formed
Ended
Location	Westlands
[[Image:{{{map}}}\|80px]]
Ruler	Beslan Mitsobar
Capital	Ebou Dar

The sign of Altara is two golden leopards on a field checked four-by-four in red and blue.

[edit] Geography

Location within the Westlands

Altara is a country located in the south-central part of the Westlands. The River Eldar forms its western border with Amadicia, and is adjacent to Illian in the east.

[edit] History

Altara was founded during the War of the Hundred Years, unified by a founder named Maddin. Like Murandy, the rulers of Altara never ruled more than a small amount of territory around the capital city with the remaining nobles acting autonomously, and only held the nation together out of fear of being absorbed by their neighbours.

In 957 NE, the Children of the Light took advantage of this division to invade Altara. They were opposed by Altara, Murandy and Illian. Eventually they were pushed back, and the war became known as the Whitecloak War.

Recently the Seanchan conquered Ebou Dar and the southern part of Altara. They allowed Queen Tylin to remain on the Throne of the Winds, however, Tylin was found bound and dismembered underneath her bed. Her son Beslan has taken the throne with the blessing of the Seanchan occupying force.

[edit] Government

The ruling body of Altara is a monarch, with the seat of power called the Throne of the Winds. The throne is currently held by Beslan Mitsobar. The throne is located in the Tarasin Palace in the capital, Ebou Dar. Shortly before Beslan became king, Ebou Dar and the southern part of Altara were conquered by the Seanchan. They allowed the then-current queen, Beslan's mother Tylin, to remain on the Throne of the Winds. However, Tylin was killed by a gholam. It remains to be seen what stance Beslan will take toward the Seanchan occupation, since he opposed their presence before his coronation, at least.

Outside Ebou Dar, the country's inhabitants tend to associate themselves with a particular town or lord rather than the nation as a whole.

[edit] Culture

Women in Altara are dominant, especially in Ebou Dar. In many situations an Altaran woman has the right to kill a man unquestioned. Knives and swords are an important part of Altaran life. Both men and women fight duels over trivial disputes, often with fatal results. Altaran women carry marriage knives, which serve both as a formal way to broadcast marital status (its color and decorations describe marital and motherly status), and an easy method of disciplining their men.

Seemingly a retreat for women, there is a farm located several miles northeast of Ebou Dar and north of the Rhannon Hills. In actuality, it is run by and is a refuge for the Kin, a group of runaways and novices cast out of the White Tower.

[edit] Trivia

With its Mediterranean-esque culture and divided, feudal society, many consider Altara as having been inspired by Italy around the 16th Century

[edit] Towns/cities

Current Nations of the Westlands in the New Era

City-states: Far Madding | Mayene | Tar Valon

Former Nations of the Westlands in the New Era