Urceopolis (City): Difference between revisions

New City refers to land which was once an elevated hill known as the ''Caelian Hill'' or ''Collis Caelius'' which had a commanding view of the [[Urce River]] and Old City of Urceopolis. It became a natural expansion of the early city and was the site of several fortifications and large homes during the early peak of the city under [[Great Levantia]]. As the city declined, the Caelian Hill/New City area became the site of the fortified mansion of the [[Julian dynasty]] known as the [[Julian Palace|Domus Julii]]. Gradually, the home of the Julians spread out across the hill and today encompasses much of New City as the [[Julian Palace]]. The Palace and New City are home to the [[Government of Urcea]], and accordingly the borough is almost entirely comprised of either the Palace, various chapels and churches, or ancillary government office buildings.

===the Flats and Aricia===

The Flats and Aciria, although now a single borough, consists of two areas of the city which existed during antiquity. Aciria was the port district of the Old City which largely had its own political apparatus during the era of [[Great Levantia]]. The adjacent area known as the Flats was originally the city's harbor, sheltered from the [[Urce River]] to the west by New City, which was originally a peninsula. The existence of the Flats as a sheltered, usable harbor, is most likely the original reason for the city being established where it is. Changing climate lead to the Flats transitioning from useful harbor land to marshy swamplands around 350 BC, after which much of Aciria's usefulness as a port came to an end as most port operations moved to the areas adjoining the river, especially with the construction of the city of Ardotalia in around 150 AD. Aciria, which had its own system of walls within the city, became an isolated and poor area during most of the Great Levantine and medieval periods, occasionally being repurposed as a quarantine ward for disease outbreaks. The Flats were drained during the initial reign of [[House de Weluta]] ca. 1450 and became one of the most fashionable parts of the city, with land being available to build large and lavish structures, including theaters and opera houses as well as urban mansions. Aciria experienced significant growth following the Flats being drained, with the walls separating the two areas eventually coming down to be used as building materials. The two areas subsequently became closely associated since the 17th century, although Aciria's position as a prominent hill relative to the Flats made it a well sought after location. During the 19th century, much of the Flats were demolished in order to erect the [[Royal Green]], which now bisects the borough. It is a common misconception that the area of the borough to the north of the Green is "the Flats" while the area to its south is "Aciria", though this information is commonly taught abroad. Today, the borough is not only home to the Green, the city's major park, but also many museums and government buildings.