Beliefs and Values

Argosseans do not believe in judging themselves; they always look to others to determine the opinion they should hold about themselves. Thus, reputation is important to the Argosseans and most hold – or pretend to hold – a civilised code of honour. Further, the Argosseans make sure others see them upholding the code. When there are no witnesses, Argosseans do not feel compelled to hold to the code at all. 

A characteristic of Argossean medicinal theory is cleanliness. Virtually all Argossean cities have thermal baths, both public and private, for this reason. Most Argossean healers recommend cleanliness, as well as a moderation in diet and wine. They believe that overdoing amorous activities, reading by candlelight and overindulging in wine are some of the best ways to get sick. The treatment is usually based on diet. Essentially, Argossean medical theory is that behaviour can lead to illness or wellness.

Sickness is caused by three things according to the Argosseans. The first cause of illness is the body’s natural degeneration as a person ages. The second cause is natural redisposition to illness; the Argosseans have noticed that a son with a certain illness often has a father and a grandfather and so on with the same illness. The third cause of illness is immoderate behaviour and lifestyle excesses; certain sins against Mitra can cause certain illnesses. 

Argosseans take their forms of entertainment seriously, be it sports, music, art or plays at the theatres. There’s very little rules and restrictions surrounding sports in Argos, and they put a great emphasis on strength, wit, and speed. All forms of races and combat sports are popular. Pankration is taught to some degree to everyone living in Argos, but only the best athletes are competing against each other in this brutal form of boxing and wrestling.

Traditions and Customs

Again, the tides of the ocean and moon pull and tug at all aspects of Argossean life and culture. Fishing is not only a means for life but a sacred rite. Holidays tend around seasonal highs of fish, tidal patterns, and the like. Argosseans themselves often attribute themselves with a sea-like nature— fluid and shifting to the needs of the wind and the world. Where calamity, social upheaval, and the like have great effect on their neighbors, there is a fatalistic nature to the Argossean character which makes them readily adaptable. One does not live generations along the coasts without weathering the vagaries of mother nature. This malleability extends to almost all aspects of Argossean culture, as well.

In rural and inland areas of Argos, Allegiance is a necessity of life. The feudal framework of the government demands it; anyone who has not declared an allegiance is automatically suspect, for that person has no protector, no one to vouch for him. Written contracts are not typically used away from the coastal cities, so only oaths taken before one’s peers are considered valuable or believable. A person without an Allegiance has either not taken any oaths or his word is so suspect that no one wants his oath.

Argossean Art

As a seaborne power, it is little surprise that Argossean art centres around the ocean which provides it with food, transportation…life. All creatures of the Western Sea, from fish and crabs, to sharks and monsters of legend are reflected in their art. Even a simple plate, hardened in a Messantian kiln, is like to have a repeating motif of waves or fish. Waves, also, are a recurring pattern found on Argossean art, buildings, and armour and shields. Stylized as a simplified, recurring curve, the wavy double lines of Argos immediately mark their vessels, their works, and their military. This style is sometimes forged, so prized is the pottery of the kingdom.