Smyrno Kingdom

Lore & Background

Smyrno is explicitly defined in Isaac Asimov's work as one of the four "barbarian" planetary kingdoms located in the Anacreon Province. These planets exist under the sphere of influence of the Foundation, yet they remain distinct from it. The source highlights a specific dynamic: while the Foundation employs priests and their religion to secure control over these local barbaric planets, the inhabitants, including native Hober Mallow, often dislike this religious imposition. Mallow's background as a Smyrnian informs his worldview; he believes that commercial relationships are superior to religious dogma for consolidating power across the galaxy. The text notes that Mayor Salvor Hardin had previously used Foundation priests to manage these kingdoms, but figures like Mallow represent a shift away from this method. The source does not provide details on Smyrno's internal politics beyond its classification as a barbarian kingdom or its specific relationship with the Galactic Empire.

In Their Own Story

The narrative focus regarding Smyrno centers entirely on Hober Mallow, a Master Trader who hails from this world. In the novella "The Big and the Little," published in August 1944, Mallow uses his origins to navigate the complex politics of the Anacreon Province. He brokers deals not only within the Foundation but also between the Foundation's territories and non-Foundation worlds like Smyrno. His success stems from a rejection of the religious strategy employed by leaders like Salvor Hardin. Instead, Mallow leverages commerce, selling Foundation devices to rulers such as that of Korell to create dependency. This approach proves effective where religion failed, leading to his exoneration in a murder trial and his eventual appointment as Mayor of Terminus. The source does not depict specific battles or political maneuvers conducted by the Smyrno Kingdom itself, focusing instead on how Mallow's personal history from Smyrno shapes his strategy for the Foundation.

Reader's Guide

For readers exploring the Foundation series, Smyrno serves as a crucial geographical and cultural marker in the Anacreon Province. It is one of four "barbarian" planetary kingdoms that exist under the Foundation's religious influence. The text clarifies that while these worlds are influenced by the Foundation, they are not fully integrated into it, creating a unique political landscape where local leaders often resist the imposed Scientism religion. Hober Mallow, a native of Smyrno, exemplifies this tension; he leverages his outsider status to pioneer commerce as a tool for galactic influence rather than relying on religious coercion. The source does not offer specific travel tips or detailed maps but establishes Smyrno's role as a peripheral kingdom that challenges the Foundation's early methods of control through its native son's commercial acumen.

Did You Know?

• Hober Mallow is a native of Smyrno, one of the four "barbarian" planetary kingdoms in the Anacreon Province.
• Smyrno exists under the religious influence of the Foundation, but Hober Mallow dislikes this religion itself.
• The source describes Smyrnians as distinct from Foundationers, with Mallow being willing to kill his own crew for disobedience.
• Hober Mallow uses commerce rather than religion to increase the Foundation's power across the galaxy, a strategy he developed partly due to his background in Smyrno.