Mineffeh
Mineffeh is another former capital city, having been favored by Assuria’s kings for several hundred years. At its height, it had more than 150,000 inhabitants, was the largest city in the region, and received water via an elaborate system of canals and aqueducts. Revolt by a group of subjugated cities resulted in Mineffeh being sacked and largely abandoned for centuries. It has been restored by the current dynasty of kings, though they have not made it their capital; common houses have been rebuilt, but ruined palaces and temples abound and the current population by no means fills the area inside the expansive walls. When King Humban-Sharruken ordered the ancient city repopulated 300 years ago, his representatives discovered the library of the last ruler, King Ashur-Shuleriba, was largely intact thanks to magical protections set by that king’s seers. This library became a royal concern and is overseen personally by the paehutu of the city, currently Esadurimin.
One issue with Mineffeh is that it is prone to earthquakes, with memorable ones occurring every generation or two and large ones happening every century or so. (While it was the capital, one quake leveled most of the city and required massive rebuilding.) Currently, no large quakes have been recorded going back five generations, so the seers of Mineffeh are concerned that one could happen in the next few years. Mineffeh is a major center of worship of the goddess Ishtar, and her temple was the first thing to be rebuilt by Humban-Sharruken as he sought her favor for his later conquests.
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