A Timeline of MPLT's Equestria · 4:54am Feb 27th, 2014
This is the general, personal canon timeline surrounding the stories of Magical Pony Lyrical Twilight, covering the past of Equestria. All years are given in BD (Before Discord) or AD (After Discord), given that Discord's reign over Equestria is one of, if not the defining moment that divides Equestria from being ruled by ponies to being ruled by the god-like Princesses. A general description of each era will be included.
BD 1000(?)-600 - The Pre-Classical Era
Though many documents have been lost to history, those that remain describe the early Pre-Classical Era as a harsh time, as the Three Tribes of pony-kind were greatly at odds with each other. Around the mid-point, however, the Time of Ice occurred, as the Windigos assaulted the old pony lands and froze them under a blanket of ever-lasting winter. This lead to the expeditions commonly depicted in Hearth's Warming Eve pageants, as well as the kindling of the Fire of Friendship and the subsequent banishment of the Windigos. Those that remained of the Three Tribes founded Equestria, carving out a country out of the bountiful, but untamed land they had discovered.
BD 599-1 - The Classical Era
The time before Discord's arrival saw the flowering of early pony society, as the three tribes were merged into a single conglomerate culture due to both proximity, intermarriage between the tribes and reaction to the events of the Time of Ice. The resulting mish-mash of Unicorn courtly culture, Pegasus military tradition, and Earth Pony agrarian aristocracy lead to a curious society that was simultaneously feudal but oddly egalitarian. Given that there was a great deal of land up for grabs, many would-be nobles could easily acquire large estates, provided one had enough followers to hold it.
The major ruling organization of this time was the Equestrian Triune Council, a deliberative styled after the Pegasi Senate and the Earth Pony’s Field Congress, though only open to property holders as per Unicorn tradition. The Triune Council was where debates of policy were held and grievances could be aired in an open forum. Many prominent philosophers such as the pegasus brothers Socratic Question and Platonic Ideal became famous in this era. Meanwhile, brave adventurers and knights errant wandered the land and sky, establishing contact with numerous other civilizations such as the Gryphon Clans, the Minotaur Primarchy, the Zebrican Tribes, the Caliphates of Saddle Arabia and the (now long defunct) Diamond Dog Empire.
Sadly, the later portions of the Classical Era were marked by increasing social stratification and infighting, as smaller nobles were integrated into larger dynasties by either force or marriage, the numerous bloodlines forming the basis for the Noble Houses of Equestria. By the arrival of Discord, thirty noble houses dominated the Triune Council, equally representing all three breeds of pony-kind.
??? - The Discordian Era
Records of this time make it difficult to determine how long Discord’s reign actually lasted. What few intact records remain speak of the draconequus’ sudden appearance in central Equestria and subsequent domination of all those who dared oppose him. Those who did not manage to flee the country or take refuge were left to Discord’s mad whims. The Era came to an end, however, by the equally sudden and miraculous appearance of Celestia and Luna, and the subsequent sealing away of Discord.
AD 1-242/253 - Post-Discordian Era / The Early First Diarchic Period
This time, formerly referred to as the Post-Discordian Era, was a time of strife and change. With the appearance of Celestia and Luna, pony society found itself beneath the hooves of a pair of powerful, but benevolent leaders. However, with enemies closing in on all sides and the population still wracked by Discord’s malfeasance, Equestria was forced to trust in the two alicorns. Thankfully, the two sisters quickly set about fixing the many problems besieging the land, eventually becoming recognized by the remaining Noble Houses and granted stewardship of the land. In addition, contact was made with the ponies of the Crystal Empire, whose patronage and alliance with Equestria helped to stabilize the healing country’s northern borders.
Politically, however, the Noble Houses retained much of their power in day-to-day affairs. The nobles of the time often exploited their connection to and relations with the Princesses in order to expand and maintain their personal control over their domains. Pony society became increasingly stratified, forming a roughly pyramidal shape, with the Princesses at the top, followed by the nobles, and then the common pony-folk below. Contrary to common belief, not all of the commoners were Earth Ponies; unicorns born to laborer families and pegasi of lower status were also commonly exploited by the nobility of all breeds.
The era’s boundaries with the following era are often debated by scholars. Some believe that the era came to a close after the signing of the Concordian Covenant and the establishment of the Common Laws. Others believe that the founding of the new capital at Canterlot marks the end of this era. The distinction is largely academic.
AD 254-354 - The Concordian Era / The Late First Diarchic Period
The relatively brief Concordian Era is viewed by romantics as a golden era in Equestrian history. With the many threats to Equestria banished, the lingering effects of Discord’s reign gone and much of Equestria’s territory tamed and managed, stability had finally reasserted itself. However, while the Concordian Era was a time of peace and safety, it was also a time of corruption and decadence, particularly amongst the ruling classes. With social classes becoming progressively more rigid, social mobility became something of an impossibility for the lower classes. Meanwhile, the nobility indulged in revelry and idleness, their lavish estates often the sites of many parties and fetes.
Many traditions, particularly those surrounding modern holidays such as Nightmare Night and the Summer Sun Celebration can trace their roots back to this time, whether they be folk traditions of the peasantry or the more opulent festivals of the wealthy. However, it was also this era that saw the disappearance of the Crystal Empire, and the rise (and subsequent banishment) of Nightmare Moon. Though whether it was this event, or the later pronouncement by Princess Celestia to the public (commonly titled as ‘I, The Rising Sun,’ by historians) that lead to the end of the Concordian Era, pony-kind would soon find itself thrown into discord once more.
AD 355-440 - The Interregnum
The period known as the Interregnum was a time of strife not seen in Equestria for generations. Having been ousted from their positions of power, the Noble Houses of Equestria turned on Princess Celestia, attempting to regain their original statuses by force. Some attempted assassination, while others sought aid from forces outside of Equestria. No matter the source, Equestria found itself in a state of civil war.
Unfortunately for the traitors, Princess Celestia was quite intent on keeping the country and the common ponies in one piece by any means necessary. By the end of the period, only a small hoof-full of ponies with noble blood remained; those who had turned traitor were either publicly executed or exiled in perpetuity, while Celestia beat back invasions and assaults with the raw power of the sun and a newly reformed Royal Guard. The scars of this period still remain in some places, and Celestia’s wrath fell quite harshly on some lands.
By the end, however, Celestia stood supreme and unquestioned over a unified Equestria.
AD 441-500 - The Early Solar Monarchy / The Solar Tyranny
The transition from the Interregnum to the monarchy was difficult. Initially, Princess Celestia stood as the sole governing authority of Equestria. As absolute monarch, Celestia’s word was law, and with the fires of the civil war still fresh in the populace’s minds none dared oppose her or her forceful reforms. Many of the practices commonly exhibited by the common pony towards Celestia have their origin in this time period as a way of not offending the Sun Princess; an act that could have very well invited destruction upon a foolish pony at the time.
Modern ponies unfamiliar with the history of their ruler would find Celestia’s practices of this time to be quite discomforting. Dictatorial control was the order of the day. Many historical documents were either heavily censored or archived away from the public eye. The punishment of criminals was often harsh and public, and often at Celestia’s own hoof. The Concordian Covenant was completely forgotten, and the Common Law was held at Celestia’s mercy. Over time, however, Celestia began to move away from these practices and towards the more merciful ruler we now know.
AD 501-1000 - The Middle Solar Monarchy
This era is what many ponies think of when one mentions Celestia’s reign. After the initial state of tyranny, Celestia began establishing many of the offices of the Royal Bureaucracy, many of which still exist today. Royal investitures into education allowed for the rapid spread of universal literacy and the establishment of schools and universities, including Celestia’s own School For Gifted Unicorns. Meanwhile, the re-development of the mercantile class laid the groundwork for the modern Equestrian middle class. Many national holidays and days of service, such as the Winter Wrap-Up and the Running of the Leaves were instituted in order to inspire a sense of civic duty and camaraderie between fellow ponies, with Celestia often leading by public example.
AD 1001 - 1354 - The Late Solar Monarchy
The most recent era (outside of the current era) still remains in living memory. With the development of new technology and advancements in magical research, many common chores and tasks became much easier to handle for the modern pony, particularly with the development of magically powered machinery. In addition, this time saw the founding of several settlements, such as Dodge City, Appleloosa, and (most notably) Ponyville.
During this time, Celestia partially withdrew from the public eye, investing more power into her bureaucracy and serving (for a time) as a political leader only when necessary, focusing more on a long line of personal protégés culled from her School for Gifted Unicorns. Scholars now reason that this change in behavior was due to the approaching time of Nightmare Moon’s return from exile, a piece of knowledge that only Celestia was truly privy to. The waning years of the era saw the appearance of numerous unique events: the first recorded Sonic Rainboom, the appearance of a giant dragon in Canterlot Castle, and most importantly the return of Nightmare Moon and her subsequent defeat and redemption at the hooves of Twilight Sparkle and her friends.
AD 1355 - Current Time (AD 1367) - The Second Diarchic Period
The current era of Equestrian history has seen more than its fair share of world-shaking events. The sudden reappearance of the infamous Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony, Discord, was one such event, only rivaled in scope by his re-sealing and eventual rehabilitation at the hooves of the Elements of Harmony. The sudden reappearance of the long-lost Crystal Empire was the second, heralded by the appearance of the terrifying monster Sombra, who was defeated by the now Crystal Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.
However, the third event is the one that many historians feel will mark the age; the arrival of and alliance with the extra-dimensional beings known as humans. The arrival of these strange creatures has already lead to massive changes throughout Equestria, not only economically and technologically, but culturally and socially as well. Some older ponies are worried about how this new species, lead by the Time-Space Administration Bureau, will change and influence their once-peaceful country. Others, however, are excited by these new opportunities and the possibility of leaving their own world for strange new lands. Whether for good or ill, Equestria will no longer be the same.
Very interesting...
Wow. This is pretty cool to see your take on Equestrian history. I like the way you build your world, which is something I need to work one
Quick question: will we be seeing any of these eras in StrikerS? The era I'm really interested in is the Solar Tyranny