Nicæa (nī́-sē′ ȧ), a city of ancient Bithynia in Asia Minor, lies on the eastern shore of Lake Ascania. It was built in 316 B. C. by Antigonus and named Antigoneia, but was changed to Nicæa by Lysimachus in honor of his wife. It is famed as the seat of two ecumenical councils: the first held by Emperor Constantine in 325 A. D.; and the second called by the Empress Irene in 787.
