In the fiction

Fiction

Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...

al world of Robert Jordan

Robert Jordan

Robert Jordan was the pen name of James Oliver Rigney, Jr. , under which he was best known as the author of the bestselling The Wheel of Time fantasy series. He also wrote under the pseudonyms Reagan O'Neal and Jackson O'Reilly.-Biography:Jordan was born in Charleston, South Carolina...

's fantasy

Fantasy

Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...

 series The Wheel of Time

The Wheel of Time

The Wheel of Time is a series of epic fantasy novels written by American author James Oliver Rigney, Jr., under the pen name Robert Jordan. Originally planned as a six-book series, the length was increased by increments; at the time of Rigney's death, he expected it to be 12, but it will actually...

, Saldaea is the westernmost of the four Borderlands, larger than Shienar

Shienar

In the fictional world of Robert Jordan's fantasy series The Wheel of Time, Shienar is the easternmost of the Borderlands; the capital is Fal Moran. The current ruler of Shienar is Easar Togita. Shienarans are a very polite people, which might seem at odds with their ferocity in battle and long...

 and Arafel combined. Maradon is the capital of Saldaea; her Queen is Tenobia. The Marshal-General of Saldaea is Davram Bashere

Davram Bashere

Davram Bashere is a fictional character featured in The Wheel of Time series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan.Bashere is a Saldaean nobleman, the High Seat of House Bashere, Lord of Bashere, Tyr, and Sidona, Marshal-General of Saldaea, Defender of the Blight Border. He is uncle to Saldaea's...

, uncle to Queen Tenobia and lord of Bashere, Sidona, and Tyr. His daughter, Faile Bashere

Faile Bashere

Faile Bashere is a character in the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.-Life as Zarine:Zarine "Faile" ni Bashere t'Aybara is the daughter of Lord Davram Bashere, the Marshal-General to Saldaea and uncle to Queen Tenobia...

, is wed to Perrin Aybara

Perrin Aybara

Perrin t'Bashere Aybara, or Goldeneyes, is one of the main characters of Robert Jordan's epic fantasy The Wheel of Time. Character is largely based on Slavic god Perun. In addition to the name similarity Perrin's choice of weapons include the axe, hammer, and bow...

, ta'veren

Ta'veren

Ta'veren is a term used in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.Ta'veren : "A person around whom the Wheel of Time weaves all surrounding life-threads, perhaps ALL life-threads, to form a Web of Destiny." -Notable Ta'veren:*Current...

, Lord of the Two Rivers

Two Rivers

Two Rivers may refer to:In the United States*Two Rivers, Alaska*Two Rivers, California*Two Rivers, California, former name of Dos Rios, California*Two Rivers Township, Morrison County, Minnesota*Two Rivers, Wisconsin*Two Rivers , Wisconsin...

 and childhood friend of Rand al'Thor

Rand al'Thor

Rand al'Thor, also known as the Dragon Reborn, is the fictional main character and protagonist of The Wheel of Time, a series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan.Rand al'Thor has many other titles within the series:...

 -- the Dragon Reborn.

Saldaeans have bold, prominent noses and slightly up-tilted, almond-shaped eyes. (Perhaps phenotypically based on certain Central Asians—i.e., the Kazakhs—except the clearly bi-racial Sheriam.) While as ferocious in battle as any of the Border nations, their equestrian skills are undoubtedly superior; no other nation in the land can match Saldaea for her famed and effective use of light cavalry

Cavalry

Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...

. Saldaean soldiers often carry serpentine swords. Saldaean men usually have long moustaches.

The author has stated that Saldaea is based on "a number of Middle Eastern cultures, and several cultures in countries surrounding the Black Sea"; in particular, there are a number of similarities between Saldaea and historic Mongolia

Mongolia

Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest...

. The description of Davram's lordship is a revision of an old phrase identifying the neighboring regions of "Bashan

Bashan

Bashan or Basan is a biblical place first mentioned in , where it is said that Chedorlaomer and his confederates "smote the Rephaim in Ashteroth", where Og the king of Bashan had his residence. At the time of Israel's entrance into the Promised Land, Og came out against them, but was utterly routed...

, Sidon

Sidon

Sidon or Saïda is the third-largest city in Lebanon. It is located in the South Governorate of Lebanon, on the Mediterranean coast, about 40 km north of Tyre and 40 km south of the capital Beirut. In Genesis, Sidon is the son of Canaan the grandson of Noah...

 and Tyre" in what is now Lebanon.

Women

Saldaean women are almost a breed apart, known as they are for their fierce loyalty and strength of will (not to mention temper). For Saldaeans, war is a family affair. The wives of officers and nobles accompany their husbands on all campaigns except those into the Blight. A traditional farewell from a Saldaean wife to a husband going to battle is "If you fall, I will take up your sword." While not trained with the sword, Saldaean girls are quite skilled both with knives and in hand-to-hand combat. All Saldaeans are armed with at least a knife at all times; in Saldaea, steel is not bared unless it will be used.

Economy

The Saldaean economy is strong; built upon the trade of furs, wood, and ice peppers. Saldaean goods fetch high prices at markets as far away as Tear and Shara.

The sa'sara

Another important part of Saldaean life is the sa'sara, a dance outlawed by several Saldaean queens for its indecency. While known by virtually every noblewoman, few would ever admit to the knowledge. Apparently, the sa'sara has the ability to drive men wild. The sa'sara is known to have started three wars and sparked two rebellions, among many other smaller disturbances.