Syracuse

Long ago before the founding of Arabia as a nation the land was split into many tribes. The Arabs were from the deep southern territory of Babylon. Babylon was hugely advanced for its time, and its people were prosperous and learned. The beautiful Gardens of Babylon were famous and drew many people to it. The Arabs uses this to their advantage and gleaned knowledge from their visitors further advancing themselves.

As the Arab tribes grew more successful they slowly migrated north. This caused a great deal of cultural diffusion, blending many of the disparate clans together, and thus reducing previous tribal (and territorial) loyalties. As a result, the assimilation of people into the Arabs was relatively peaceful. This progression north absorbing tribes and cultures lead to the Arabs becoming a significant power in the Southlands. This came to a head when the Arab leader Djmal Hafez, said to be jealous of his rival the Pharaoh's power, moved the Arabic capital from Babylon to Syracuse.

The name Syracuse derives from the Saracens, one of the most prominent of the Arab tribes. The move was intended to make Arabia a naval and trade power equal to Aegyptus. The move became a keystone in the development of Arabia, and was the catalyst to Arabia leaving behind much of its heritage and religions. Generations passed with Arabia concentrating on developing as a power equal to its rival. With Arabia focused on developing its future in the north, it slowly lost focus on Babylon and the Arabs' origins. Eventually Maurabian tribes migrated through the southern Arabian territories and took the land between Northern Arabia and Babylon, physically cutting the Arabs from their heritage.

Syracuse turned from a small port into a heavily developed and wealthy modern capital. However this growth was not unchallenged, Syracuse was repeatedly attacked and sacked by both roaming corsairs and Aegyptian fleets. Arabia’s forces were spread over too wide an area to protect its coastal capital. Reluctantly, after several generations of loss the capital was moved south to Bagdad, which had been a significant city in the Arabs success and growth. Syracuse struggled to hold onto its former prestige, without the military presence traders felt threatened and moved their trade houses to other ports and cities.

As Arabia’s boundaries settled and the threat of piracy and attacks from Arabia’s neighbouring countries lessened Syracuse began to recuperate and grow. Gradually Syracuse became prosperous again, becoming the main port used by Baghdad for moving its vast trade wares.

When Baghdad was destroyed by the Conclave Syracuse looked as if it would once again fall into ruin. However many of the people fleeing the ruins of Baghdad flocked to Syracuse. Initially this caused chaos, but the influx of traders, skilled workers and military men began to work in Syracuse’s favour. Syracuse’s Sultan Yousef Asmar El Khoury, was widely praised for turning the chaos into order and providing the many homeless people with homes and jobs. Recently Syracuse’s workforce and port have been fundamentally important in the rebuilding of Baghdad, continuing the tie the fates of the two cities together.

As a former capital city, the population is hugely mixed. Humans are the most prominent race but large numers of other races fill the city’s streets. The influx of Jann to Syracuse is meant to herald good times and a prosperous future for the City and its people.

As the main port for Arabia’s capital Baghdad Syracuse has a large amount of trade items from all over the Southlands filtering through its port. However, most items pass directly though, destined for Baghdad or the mighty market of Marrakesh with little trade happening in Syracuse itself.

Arabian Cities