Urbs Aurelianum
Urbs Aurelianum, shortened by the local folk to Aurelianis, is a commercial city on the northern bank of the Liger river, erected on the site of the ancient Celtic Cenabum. The then-inhabitants, belonging to the Carnutes, were first subdued by Julius Caesar more than five centuries ago; however, they later joined the rebellion led by Vercingetorix, the great warrior king of the Averni tribe. In retaliation, the Divine Caesar tore Cenabum to the ground and exterminated its citizens in 701 AUC. The city was nothing but ruins overgrown with weeds until it was reconstructed by Emperor Aurelian in 1027, thus acquiring its new name.
Urbs Aurelianum rapidly regained its status due to its very strategic positioning. The city is located at the center of rich agricultural land and represents an important junction between the road and river networks. From here, the cereals cultivated in the surrounding countryside descend along the Liger until the oceanic port of Portus Namnetus on the Sinus Cantabricus, whence they continue on toward the great southern cities of the Empire.
The city is protected on three sides by its walls, which were commissioned by Aurelian, while the fourth side is flanked by the Liger. At the crossroads between the cardo and decumanus maximus lie the most important public buildings: the forum, the hot springs, and the basilica. The main temples overlook the decumanus maximus, while the theater and necropolis are erected just outside the porta dextera. An aqueduct serves the city, delivering water from a source on the northeast hills. To the south, the city is flanked by the Liger river, which is crossed by a long bridge (more than 1200 feet). An efficient river port allows goods to be loaded and unloaded directly in the heart of the city. The walls enclose a rectangular are of 60 acres, home to roughly 4500 inhabitants. The rest of the population resides in the various suburbs built around the city or scattered around the farms and villas speckling the surrounding countryside. A good part of the territory is used to grow cereals: spelt, barley, millet, and wheat, which at this time of year grows as tall as a man. Each parcel of land is framed by willow fencing and thorny hedges to prevent the flocks of sheep transiting along the roads and trails from entering the fields and ruining the crops.
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