The Athenaeum

Written by Nestor Alren

The Athenaeum was founded at the same time as Nemea. It was a part of the original agreement Holy Alcides achieved with the four Great Houses to establish the Kingdom. At that time, certain monastics from the Temple at Zis had already begun building and teaching on the site where the Athenaeum is now physically based, The Athenaeum Complex. It is a place of education, both academic and vocational in nature, where anyone ten years or older may apply to the eight Bastions of Knowledge and be educated in a number of subjects. It is run by, and produces, the Nestori (see Nestor). As part of that original agreement, they are respectful of the Divine Duality, but maintain an independent existence apart from them. The Athenaeum is truly only beholden to the monarch, but see their responsibility as being to the realm.

Structure

The Head Nestor of the Athenaeum is the ultimate power at the Athenaeum, with the Council of Eight, consisting of the Deans of the eight Bastions of Knowledge, close behind.
The eight Bastions of Knowledge each have further areas of specialization, but are as follows (in no particular order):
1 - Animal Husbandry and Farming
2 - Sciences of the Mind
3 - Sciences of the Body
4 - Economics
5 - Education
6 - Building and Infrastructure
7 - Sciences of Nature
8 - Craft and Creation

Within each Bastion are specializations of study, such as:
1 - Animal Husbandry and Farming - Offrets, Work Animals, Animal Food Production, Growing Food, Commercial Resources
2 - Sciences of the Mind - Philosophy, Politics and Government, History, Geography 
3 - Sciences of the Body - Healing, Herbology, Mortuary Science
4 - Economics - Settlement Economics, Business Management, Import/Export, Personal and Family Economics
5 - Education - Education of Children, Education of Adults
6 - Building and Infrastructure - Urban Planning, Water Management, Sewer Management, Refuse Management, Construction, Ship-building
7 - Sciences of Nature - Alchemy, Astronomy, Fire Science, Volcanology, Geology
8 - Craft and Creation - Arki Talents, Rhapsody, Metal, Glass and Woodcraft

Neither students nor the Nestori who remain for further study are limited to these areas. If they cannot find a master Nestor who has already established the area of expertise that they wish to study, they may petition the Council for their own specific course of study.

Culture

The culture at the Athenaeum is one focused on science and practicality. Our research seeks evidence, and while we will explore all avenues of information and possibility, we will not rely upon anything less than that which is evidence-backed and/or evidenced-based.

Public Agenda

The overarching goal of the Athenaeum is to provide for the education and expertise of the Nobles and citizens of Nemea. To support this mission, one of the most important things the Athenaeum does is to produce Nestori that may assist the Noble houses with governance and diplomacy.

With Knowledge, Responsibility

by Tom Ruen, via Wikimedia Commons

Type

Educational, University

Demonym

Nestori

Official State Religion

The Divine Duality

Location

The Athenaeum Complex

Controlled Territories

• The Athenaeum Complex

Neighboring Nations

• House Tinscuil
• The Divine Duality