Elladiapolis
Elladiapolis, one of the pearls of the Thyssalis Sea, founded by Antiochos I of Steplia in honour of his grandmother, Elladia the Fair, Boros The Conqueror's wife. It is one of the most important ports of the Kingdom of Steplia, the idea of Antiochos was to create a vital trade port for the Kingdom, which was deeply affected in that regard by the independence of the South and the loss of Boria on the Delta, until then the greatest port of the Kingdom. And, Elladiapolis wasn't as succesful as Boria, it indeed became the most important port of the South-Western shores of the Thyssalis Sea.
Location
The city was strategically placed at the coast, near the mouth of the river Elamys , Antiochos' engineers and architects did something similar to what have been done in Boria on the Delta, and built a canal that connected the Elamys river with Elladiapolis, providing fresh water into the city. The city is protected in the west by the Ivory Mountains , and the lands surrounded the city are flat and very fertile providing both plenty of income from taxation and also food to the city. But the most important asset of the city is a large natural harbor in the Gulf of Aktor, ideal for hundreds or thousands of ships to dock in its ports to unload their goods, that's why this location was chosen in the first place.Layout
The city's layout was designed in a grid pattern by the famous architect Cleomenes of Lavron, with the main square in the center of the city as well as the two main temples at its north and south ends dedicated to Fer, the goddess of Fortune and Godyna the goddess of music and the arts respectively, who are the patron deities of the settlement. The main street, decorated with a colonnade on both sides connected the port with the main quare of the city and was called the Amynteion, in honor of Antiochos' father, Amyntas I of Steplia. This main street is where the main shops, the silk, spice and wine merchants are located. In the Port area you've the temple of Van "the Welcoming" where all the sailors that arrive to the city make a sacrifice to the god for having reached the harbour safely. West of the main square is the Assembly Palace, where the city's assembly meets each week or month to discuss matters related to the city and its governance. The building is very similar to other ones of the same type found in the cities of Lower Oronia. Its walls are made of marble as well as its interior which also have some frescoes depicting scenes from the The Siege of Dorstulon, the city of the Ten Walls as well as Magas' conquest of the Sephenian Empire and Boros The Conqueror campaign in the Southern Elven lands. The main theatre of the city, made out of local stone, is located in the north on a high slope, and at its entrance there are two bronze statues of Queen Elladia and of Antiochos I. In the middle of the theatre, opposite to the stage there is an altar where sacrifices to Godyna are performed before each play and also during the main festivals of the city, libations are also done in honour of King Antiochos are his descendants. Also related to the king is the royal summer palace of Elladiapolis, with walls made of marble and gleaming white limestone. The palace is famous for its beautiful gardens(full of flowers like poppies, tulips, roses and trees like orange, pear and fig trees.), pavilions where one can take shelter from the sun, and works of art, including a golden sculpture called "Icarus Resting" depicting the mythical hero resting on his spear, this famous artwork was made by the Blatian sculptor Sabinianus of Murnum. Another famous building is the temple to Amy-Orbaia on the left bank of the Elamys River. This is a temple dedicated to the syncretic sephenian-oronai deity. The building reflects this syncretic nature by combining Oronai and Sephenian architectures. The temple has stairs that lead to the river bank where ritual bathing and religious ceremonies are held in honour of the deity. The walls of the temple are decorated with greenish blue tales and figures of the goddess Amy-Orbaia, whose appearance is similar to the classical davidovin Orbaia but it has the star of eight points behind her and she is also accompanied by a lion, something associated with the indigenous sephenian goddess.Demography
Elladiapolis is a cosmopolitan city, where you find people of all around the continent of Teria that have settled in the city attracted by its wealth and also trade oportunities. The first settlers and the majority of the population (around 56 %) are Oronai or people of Oronai descend, followed by Sephenians (14 % of the population) and then the remaining 30% is consists of Tushpites, Radali, Ikarians, Southern Elves and Tieflings of Light.Economy
Most of the income of the city comes from trade and agriculture from the nearby lands. The most prosperous lands were distributed among the first settlers of the city, which were military settlers while the rest were given to loyal Sephenian subjects. Royal authorities were very keen not to disturb or restrict the traditional farming land of the native Sephenian elite. Many people in the town have grown rich due to the trade that flows to the city from every corner of the Thyssalis Sea, for example the arrival of Tieflings of Light to the city with their connections to other regions of the continent and beyond was a major boost to the local economy, and some of the members of this race are among the wealthiest people in the city. The main exports of the city are cotton, cinnamon and cedar wood, from the nearby areas and its province. These are exported to many regions such as the Kingdom of the Green Elves, the Half Elf kingdoms and Oronia.Politics
The city follows the typical structure of an Oronai city. Its ruled by a council of 150 of the wealthiest citizens belonging to the nobility, the artisans, the merchants and the middle class. From this Council, 2 men are elected as town mayors that act also as representatives of the King in the city. Councilors from the ethnic minorities also have representation on the council, at least each social class have to also include members of the minorities. The members of the City Assembly can be elected for different offices such as:- Supervisor of the Markets: As the name suggests, this man is the responsable for the prizes on the markets, for organizing the local fairs and for keeping the security on these areas.
- Secretary of the public treasure: Responsable for collecting the taxes in the city and its surroundings and keeping the record of the money avaliable in the City's Treasury.
- Lawmaker: Its main duty is making laws and supress or modify the previous laws. In case of laws of maximum importance for the citizens of Banias he has the power to set a referendum among the citizens.
- Supervisor of the fields: His boss is the Secretary of the public treasure, its main duty is to keep a record of the food that is produced in the surrounding villages and fields that belong to the city and also to collect the amount of food needed for the Public Granaries.
- Supervisors of the Public festivals: Formed by 8 men, its duty is to organize the religious calendar alongside the High Priest and the main festivals of the city (its processions, its theatre festivals, horse races, athletic competitions etc...).
- High Priest: The Chief priest of the cult of the Goddess Tyr and also responsable of the Royal Cult in the city. He presides the Sacrest religious festivals and is also responsable of the caring and protection of the Sacre Tree. He usually has an adjuntant called the Chief Sorcerer, usually named between the elves or half-elves, responsable of regulating the use of magic inside the city.
- Secretary of Public Health: Chosen every 2 years, he is responsable for the water supply to the city and the building and maintenance of the streets and the sewers.
Founding Date
644
Founders
Type
City
Population
120.000
Inhabitant Demonym
Elladiapolitans
Owning Organization
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