| Ashkan the Magnificent | |
|---|---|
 Bust of Ashkan the Magnificent | |
| Kemokian Emperor | |
| Reign | 699 - 665 BCE |
| Born |
c. 740 BCE Kemoku |
Ashkan I or Arsaces I (Old Aldegarian: 𐎠𐎼𐏁𐎣 Aršaka), usually known as Ashkan (or Arsaces) the Magnificent, was the founder of the Kemokian Empire and the first Shahanshah ("King of Kings" or "Emperor") in the history of Aldegar. Under the rule of Ashkan and his immediate successors, the Kemokians became among the largest and most powerful empires in classical antiquity.
In the history of Aldegar, Ashkan is a central figure and was influential in shaping modern Aldegarian identity. Through his patronage of the prophet Shapur, he supported the spread Yazdism throughout the continent and established it as the national religion of the Aldegarian people, a position that it has retained into the modern day.
Ashkan's reign lasted somewhere around thirty years during which time he extended the Kemokian control to include all of modern Aldegar, large portions of North Seleya as well as parts of modern Saridan and Mordusia. After his death, he was succeeded by Kɑmboujie I who further consolidated Kemokian hegemony over Central Seleya.
Aldegarian historians and politicians have referred to Ashkan's rule as the "beginning of civilisation in Seleya", a controversial claim that has had wide influence in the public sphere. The political organisation of the empire has remained important into the modern day and continues to affect Aldegarian politics in numerous ways.
During his rule, Ashkan used numerous titles including Shahanshah of Aldegar (often translated as "Emperor" but more accurately "King of Kings"). At time he was also King of Kemoku, King of Polran, "King of the Four Corners of the World" and the "High Priest of Yazdān".