Free City of Enzim

The Free City of Enzim (Varaso: Lo Puló Libêr do Enzim [ˈẽðim]) was a city-state in western Eussis at the mouth of the Inner Sea. Initially part of the Confederation of the Tratian Isles, it left the confederation to become a semi-independent relgious enclave. Its degree of suzerainty under Trati would vary over time. The city was and is an important place in the history of Furanism, being the place Hair of Tunis and his followers fled to from Tunis, and serving as the nexus from which the religion expanded.
The city's politics were run by a council of 23 judges and clerics, five of whom were high judges whom each had the power of dismissal and whose counsel and opinions were held in high regard by other members of the council. This council, known by its retronym, the Enzimian Sanhedrin, but originally called simply the Sanhedrin (Le Sanhêdres), served as the template for future sanhedrins in other Furanist states.
Its advantageous geographical position and unique political situation made it a nexus of commerce and scholarship, attracting many influential merchants and bright minds, many of whom would convert to Furanism. Enzim was also notable for its complete and explicit prohibition of slavery, a world first. Their political situation surrounded by much larger powers, however, would mean they were not a refuge for any runaways, as they could not defend themselves against an invading army. Thus they had a general policy of extradition in which they would return slaves to their territory as "free", only for them to be placed back into slavery almost immediately.
The position of Enzim would see Varas attempt multiple sieges of the city in 2110, 2123, 2208, 2210, and 2290, each unsuccessful as its walls and moats proved nigh impossible to breach, and neighboring Trati making blockades difficult to enforce. The longest siege of the city lasted from 2210 until 2236, a staggering 25 years.

Free City of Enzim Outline

2116-2370

Government

Furanist Kritarchy

Capital

Enzim

Languages

Official: Varaso

Preceded by

Confederation of the Tratian Isles

Succeeded by

Holy Enzimian Empire

Type

Geopolitical, City-state