Muipidan Geography

At its greatest extent, Muipido consisted of four main regions: the original -500 territory, usually called Old Muipido (Muypha Honophado); conquered Kharul (called Khoyphado in Muipidan); the forested areas of the Lagendeda and Pandido rivers, called Flopido (“verdant land”); and the upper Hmondido river valley, called Hmopido (“distant land”). Its official capital was Famogikido throughout, but by the year 0 many of the administrative structures had moved to the important trading city of Pakodo, at the confluence of the Lagendeda and Hmondido rivers.

These were the most important cities:

  • Famogikodo was the official capital. During Muipido’s rise in power, Famogikodo was the most important city in every respect, with the strong central government, the military, most religious sects, and the wealthiest traders concentrated in the city, and hundreds of monuments were built in its plazas and beyond its walls. The rapid expansion of the empire around -200 led to a shift in power to Pakodo, which slowly drained population and institutions from Famogikodo. In 574 the city was largely destroyed as part of the Muipidan civil wars.

  • Pakodo was an important regional hub at the confluence of the Hmondido and Lagendeda rivers, best known for the tower in its central plaza. It grew into a major city in the -2nd century because it controlled the flow of grain, lumber, and metals from the Hmondido and upper Lagendeda rivers. It became known for its extravagent architecture, and its original tower, built in the -12th century, was replaced with an ornately decorated, 30-metre version. When Muipido broke apart, Pakodo became the strongest city-state in the region, and was the only state to retain Muipidan culture largely intact.

  • Latyagekuda was an important waypoint for boats travelling up and down the Pandido river.

  • Muhikudo (“new city”) was a new waypoint (founded around -100) for boats travelling further up the Pandido river, which became necessary as Muipido’s influence expanded upriver.

  • Flokodo was the biggest city in the Flopido region, and was the centre of the forestry industry.

  • Hmokodo was the biggest city in the Hmokodo region, and its most important role was as a military base for wars against the northern forest tribes.