Minrathous

Minrathous is the capital of the Tevinter Imperium and the largest city in Thedas.According to Trifles Minutiae. It is built on a rocky island not far from the shore, accessible only by a single bridge that can be destroyed if needed. The island features massive ports and shipyards and a vast series of underground catacombs capable of holding food enough to feed the city for a year.
== Background ==
Minrathous is one of the oldest human settlements in Thedas. Before the founding of the Tevinter Imperium, a magister was a top representative of a local society of mages, the Circle of Magi, in a state council of the most powerful mages. The magisters would convene in Minrathous and held dominion over all magic in the land.Codex entry: Tevinter: The Magisters During the golden age of the Imperium, Minrathous was the capital of the known world. Ruled by the powerful Imperial Senate and dynasties of mighty Archons, the city was, for nearly a thousand years, the greatest and wealthiest city in the world. Guarded by high walls and two powerful golems called Juggernauts,Codex entry: Legend of the JuggernautCodex entry: Constellation: Servani as well as powerful blood mages, the city is a lasting symbol of Tevinter glory, with structures built with jet rock from the Kirkwall area..
Throughout its history, many different armies besieged the city; none ever managed to capture it.
* The prophetess Andraste, followed by her barbarian army, achieved big and stunning victories against the Imperium but failed to capture Minrathous after being betrayed by her husband in -170 Ancient.
* During the Second Blight, in the Divine Age, the darkspawn horde led by Zazikel sacked the city but failed to capture it.
* The Orlesian Chantry assembled massive armies against the Imperium during the Exalted Marches. However, all failed in their goal of capturing Minrathous.
* During the Steel Age, the Qunari conquered almost the entirety of northern Thedas. However, even their cannons weren't sufficient to capture Tevinter's capital.
thumb|220px|Magic keeps many of Minrathous' ancient structures standing
Once the center of the world, vestiges of Minrathous' power and artistry can still be seen, yet are marred by the wear of time.Codex entry: The Tevinter Imperium Buildings that would otherwise collapse are kept upright by powerful magic and general wear and grime permeate the poorer quarters of the city. The high towers of the mage elite rise above the small homes of peasants and slaves, literally elevating the upper echelons of society away from the worst of the poverty. The disparity between social classes has been exacerbated in the Dragon Age, as the outskirts of the city fill with refugees fleeing from the Imperium's never-ending war against the Qunari.
== Involvement ==
=== Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights ===
=== Dragon Age: The Missing ===
== Places ==
* The Arcanist HallLetter: Alone
* The Archon's Palace
* The Argent Spire – houses the Black DivineCodex entry: Chantry Hierarchy
* The Catacombs – as ancient as the city itself; they hold a year's worth of food of supplies to be used in case of Blight or Qunari invasionDragon Age: Tevinter Nights, The Streets of Minrathous
* Circle of Magi – the second-oldest building in the Imperium, originally the Temple of Razikale; it is the best-preserved example of ancient architecture in the Imperium
* Dwarven Embassy – home of the Ambassadoria or body of dwarven representatives, and said to be constructed by Archon Darinius himself as a guest home for the legendary dwarven king Endrin Stonehammer; it is still in use and is considered one of the wonders of the world. It is completely subterranean so that dwarves who serve there can retain their castes
* Docktown
* Dumat Plaza
* Grand Proving Arena – another architectural marvel, built in -1200 Ancient based on dwarven design; it is a triangular prism with hanging terraced gardens on the exterior, said to be a "green jewel at the center of a stone city"
* Three Imperators' Square – named after the three statues posed around a sluggishly-trickling fountain in the centerShort Story: Paying the Ferryman
* Vivazzi Plaza – one of the venues in the plaza is known for its dancers and large cracked bell hanging off of the roofDisclosed in dialogue between Iron Bull and Dorian Pavus.
== Trivia ==
* The Imperial Highway begins in Minrathous prior to heading southeast.
* Minrathous is the only known surface settlement that uses golems–called Juggernauts–in its defense. These golems' armor is emblazoned with the symbol for the constellation Servani, "the Chained Man." This depicts a man carrying a heavy chain, and is closely associated with Andoral, the Old God of Slaves.
* According to the Canticle of Exaltations, when the Maker has returned to the world, Minrathous will be the place where Andraste will forgive mankind's transgressions and restore the original harmony.
* According to Fenris, the Minrathous Slave Bazaar contains alleys that are ten miles long. Fenris also comments on the similarities between the bazaar and the Lowtown market in Kirkwall.Fenris dialogue upon entering Kirkwall's Lowtown. 
== Gallery ==
Minrathous Docktown.jpeg|Docktown
== References ==
Category:Locations
Category:Dragon Age: Magekiller locations
Category:Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights locations
Category:Dragon Age: The Missing locations
Category:Dragon Age: The Veilguard locations
Category:Cities
Category:Islands
Category:Tevinter Imperium
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