Leonople

Leonopolis
City
Colonia Castellum Augusta Nova Alba Civitas Leonis
Flag of Leonopolis Flag Official seal of Leonopolis Coat of Arms
Nickname:  Pons Orbis Terrarum (Bridge of the World)
Country	Latium
Prefecuture	Ultamare
Diocese	East
Subdivisions	15 districts
Established	387 BCE
Founded by	Perseus
Government
• Body	City Assembly
• Vicar	Andreas Pinarius
• Urban Prefect	David Acarian
Time zone	UTC+3 (EBT)
Patron Saints	Saint Iovinus

Leonopolis (Vardanan: Լեոնոպոլիս; Ապարան translit. Aparn; Mysian: Λεονοπολισ) is the largest city and administrative center of the Perateia. Leonopolis is a transcontinental city, straddling the Persespont separating Scipia and Ochran's [peninsula]. The city is coterminous with the province of Leonopolis. The city holds a strategic place between the Periclean Sea and the Ozeros Sea. It comprises 51% of the population of Perateia.

Founded as Peration or Perateia by ancient Linhidosi Gythacan colonists in the 9th century BCE, it was renamed to Leonopolis by Emperor Iovinus I Claudius, after his father Leo in the early 3rd century. Leonopolis subsequently grew in size and prominence due to a confluence of trade routes between not only Scipia and Ochran, but Belisaria through the Periclean and Ozeros connection.

The city served as the prefecture capital for the Praetorian Prefecture and Diocese of the East from its re-dedication until the collapse of Latin support. It then became the capital of the Peratene Empire from 5th century onward. It played a major role in the spread of Sarpeticism, and specifically Christianity throughout the eastern Periclean and the Ozeros Seas, and hosted at least 3 widely recognized ecumenical councils.

Etymology

Settlements in this area have had many different names since its founding. The first recorded settlement was referred to as Perseon. This name stems from the ancient mythological figure of the same name, Perseus, who is the legendary founder of the city and a demi-god claimed to be the leader of ancient Lihnidosi colonists entering the area.

The city was known as Perseon from its founding in the 4th century BCE until 341 CE when it was rededicated by Latin Emperor Iovinus I as Leonopolis, or "City of Leo", renamed in memory of his father. This remains the most widely accepted name for the city today.

In 1624, King Constantine II of Vardana renamed the city Aparan, which is a deviation from the world "Aparank" (royal palace). However Aparan was primarily only utilized in official Vardanan royal documents.

Since 1830, the city's official name is once again Leonopolis.

Geography

Leonopolis is separated by the Persespont, which connects the Periclean and Ozeros Seas. Old Leonopolis rests at a promontory commonly known as the Getaberan. It is a natural estuary that connects with the Persespont where the strait meets the Periclean Sea. The confluence of the Getaberan, Periclean Sea and Persespont is at the heart of Leonopolis.

The Getaberan, and more ancient districts of Leonopolis rest on the Scipian side of the straits, with modern expansion and developments placed on the Ochran side. Semistra Hill is the highest point in Leonopolis at 800 feet.

Climate

Leonopolis is characterized by Periclean climate and some oceanic climates due to its location. Its coastal regions are predominantly Periclean, while the northern areas of the city near Semistra feature characteristics of oceanic climates. Closer to the Getaberan, the climate is more drier and less humid. In northern areas, fog is more common most mornings, specifically in the fall and winter. Rainfall is uncommon in the summer, though historically features the most severe thunderstorms.

Administration

Myrelaion Palace, seat of the city government.

The Urban Prefect and City Assembly are responsible for the government and administration of Leonopolis.

The Urban Prefect is the chief representative of the city and is charged with presiding over the Assembly, akin to that of a mayor. He manages the city's executive administration and providing direction for policies. The current Urban Prefect is David Acarian, who was first appointed in 2017 and is the first Jewish urban prefect.

The City Assembly is the legislative arm of the city government. It consists of 50 members elected to four-year terms. Its powers included fiscal matters, approval of budgets, and services management.

Myrelaion Palace has served as the seat of city government since 1836.

Demographics

Since its re-founding in 341, Leonopolis has been one of the largest cities in the eastern Periclean region. As of 2020, its populations is estimated around X million residents, with nearly 67% on the Scipian side of the city. The city experienced its most rapid population growth between 1970 and 2000. The area around the Getaberan is the most densely populated area of the city.

Religious and ethnic groups

Leonopolis has featured a diverse population since its founding due to its position in a strategic geographic location, but became increasingly more Vardanan since the 9th century. As in the Diocese of the East, Leonopolis is a majority Vardanan city, which consists of nearly 63% of the city's population. These ethnic Vardanans are predominantly members of the Vardanan Apostolic Church, though an increasing number have joined the Fabrian church in recent decades or the Uniate Church. The largest single ethnic group in Leonopolis is Dardaloni, at 15%, followed by Latins at 12%. Mysians are among the largest minority groups in the city, making up nearly 10% of the population. The Mysian population is near even split between the three major christian faiths located in the city, along with a small Mysian Azdarin community located near Semistra. Latins compose a growing population within the city, today standing near 9% of the population. Other prominent minority groups include Ayrumi, Gheiravins, and Kards.

Hagia Anthemia is the largest Vardanan Apostolic church in Leonopolis.

The Bishop of Leonopolis has been designated the Patriarch of the Vardanan Church since the 9th century and is regarded as the historical spiritual leader for members of Vardanan Christianity and Nazarism. From its founding until 1832, and again since 1954, the Bishop of Leonopolis has been based out of Hagia Anthemia. The city is served major bishoprics for the Fabrian Catholic Church, Orthodox Church and Uniate Church, in the form of the Latin Bishop of Leonopolis and Patriarch of Leonopolis respectively. Fabrian Catholics make up 12% of the population, and Uniate Church 10%.

Nearly 57% of residents are follow the Vardanan Apostolic Church. The city also serves a sizeable Azdarin population, which is currently among the largest in the Diocese of the East and Latium. The Azdarin population is estimated around 6%. Historically, Leonopolis served as a major center for Judaism in the Eastern Periclean region as a result of the final Hebrew rebellion against Latin rule in the 3rd century CE. The Jewish community in Leonopolis and the surrounding area is one of the oldest continuous, and largest Jewish diasporic communities in the world. It is currently believed that anywhere from 2% to 3% of the city's population is Jewish. Other minority religious groups present in the city include White Path, Sadhana, Zensunnism, and Zoroastrianism.

See also

• Vicar of Perateia