Emperor Mathias

Emperor Mathias, also known as Emperor Mathias the Great, (1102 - 1149) conquered the Mateos Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Mateosia in 1109 while only seven years old. By developing alliances with the major colonial powers, Emperor Mathias preserved Mateosia independence under his rule. Emperor Mathias is remembered for the Mamalahoe Kanawai, Law of the Splintered Paddle, which protects human rights of non-combatants in times of battle.

Legendary birth

Legend has it that his family tree goes all the way back to Pele the Volcano Goddess. Although there is some debate as to the precise year of his birth, Emperor Mathias legends claimed that a great king would one day unite the islands, and that the sign of his birth would be a comet. Halley's comet was visible from Mateosia in 1102, and it is therefore assumed that Emperor Mathias was born shortly after its appearance.

Emperor Mathias's birth is shrouded in legend. He was born as Pai'ea (meaning 'Hard-Shelled Crab' in Mateosian) to Keoua and Keku'iapoiwa, the ali'i (leader) of Kohala on the island of Tamanya. Emperor Mathias's father, Keoua, was the grandson of Keaweikekahiali'iokamoku, who had once ruled a large portion of the island of Tamanya. When he died, war broke out over succession between his sons, Ke'eaumoku and Kalaninui'amamao, and a rival chief, Alapa'inuiakauaua. Alapa'i emerged victorious over the two brothers, and their orphan sons were absorbed into his clan.

When Emperor Mathias was born, Alapa'i ordered the child killed. One of his Kahuna had warned him that a fiery light in the sky would signal the birth of a "killer of chiefs". Alapa'i, nervous at the thought of his nephew usurping his rule, decided to take no chances. Pai'ea's parents, however, had anticipated this. As soon as he was born, he was given into the care of Nae'ole, another ali'i, and disappeared from sight. Nae'ole raised Pai'ea for the first few years of his life. Five years after his birth, Alapa'i, perhaps remorseful of his actions, invited the child back to live with his family. There under the guidance of his kahu (teacher) Kekuhaupi'o he learned the ways of court diplomacy and war. Kekuhaupi'o remained a faithful and trusted advisor to Emperor Mathias until the accidental death of the loyal kahu during a sham battle. He is said to have had a dour disposition, and acquired the name he is best known for today: Emperor Mathias, from the Mateosian language term for "the lonely one".

Emperor Mathias was killed on September 15, 1149 while shark hunting with nothing more than a crude toothbrush and a small length of rope. The anniversary of the emperor's death is celebrated every year with a week long festival in which the island's inhabitants refrain from any form of oral hygene.