Leonople
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Leonopolis | |
|---|---|
City | |
| Colonia Castellum Augusta Nova Alba Civitas Leonis | |
 | |
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Official seal of Leonopolis Coat of Arms | |
| Nickname: Pons Orbis Terrarum (Bridge of the World) | |
| Country |  Latium |
| Caesarian Province | Perateia |
| Prefecture | Perateia |
| Diocese | East |
| Subdivisions | 15 districts |
| Established | AD 341 |
| Founded by | Iovanius I |
| Government | |
| • Body | City Assembly |
| • Vicar | Euphemius Palunius |
| • Mayor | David Varazhnuni |
| • Urban Prefect | Anthemius Calesternus |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (EBT) |
Leonopolis (Vardanan: Լեոնոպոլիս; Ապարան translit. Aparn; Mysian: Λεονοπολισ) is the largest city and administrative center of the Diocese of the East. Leonopolis is a transcontinental city, straddling the Alcaean Straits separating Scipia and the Chersonian 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 was first founded in the 3rd century BCE as a Hellenic colony named Alcaea. It was re-established as Leonopolis in the early 4th century by Latin Emperor Iovanius, where it became a major city in the east of the ancient Latin Empire. In the 7th century it was conquered by the Mesfin Caliphate, and in the 10th century incorporated into the Bayarid Empire. Leonopolis served as the capital of Vardana, under the name, Aparan, intermittently between the 5th and 8th centuries, again from 1353 to 1534 during the first Hazarasp period and again from 1624 to 1830.
Etymology
Settlements in this area have had many different names since its founding. The first recorded settlement was referred to as Alcaeus or Alkaios. This name stems from the ancient mythological figure of the same name, Alkaios, 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 Alcaeus in the Latin-era, until 341 AD 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 Alcaean Straits, 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 Alcaean Strait where the strait meets the Periclean Sea. The confluence of the Getaberan, Periclean Sea and Alcaean Strait is at the heart of Leonopolis.
The Getaberan, and more ancient districts of Leonopolis rest on the Chersonian side of the straits, with modern expansion and developments placed on the Scipian 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
The Mayor and City Assembly are responsible for the government and administration of Leonopolis. The Mayor and Assembly are elected to four-year terms.
The Mayor is the chief representative of the city and is charged with presiding over the Assembly. He manages the city's executive administration and providing direction for policies. The office of mayor became popularly elected in 1994. The current mayor is David Varazhnuni, who was first elected in 2017 and is the first Jewish mayor.
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 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 Chersonian 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. Mysians are among the largest minority groups in the city, making up nearly 13% 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.
The Bishop of Leonopolis has been designated the Apostolic Patriarch of the Vardanan Church since the 9th century and is regarded as the historical spiritual leader for members of Vardanan Christianity. 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 and the Eastern Orthodox Church, in the form of the Latin Bishop of Leonopolis and Patriarch of Leonopolis respectively. Fabrian Catholics make up 12% of the population, and Eastern Orthodox 10%.
Nearly 60% 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.