I only picked up Civ4 a few weeks ago so am still figuring it out. Played Civ2 a few years back, but not heavily so I am like a first grader compared to many of you!!!

Anyway, I'm wondering what can be done to make a city expand more quickly after being captured. I took over a few cities but the boundaries of the city stayed in just its city square for quite a few turns, even when there was "unclaimed" squares around it. What am I doing wrong that the city boundaries don't expand?

you need to produce culture in the city. If you have the cultural trait, it's usually no problem. Otherwise, build a library, or a monument, or a thaeater, or run an artist specialist, or build culture (when you have music). When you capture a city, all special buildings and wonders lose their culture producing effect, and all other culture producing buildings are destroyed, so you won't get abything at first.

Juju, I believe he's referring to the revolt period, where the city does not control any squares besides the actual city square.

This is unavoidable. All you can do is park there with some military units and wait for the revolting citizens to stop.

Juju, I believe he's referring to the revolt period, where the city does not control any squares besides the actual city square.

This is unavoidable. All you can do is park there with some military units and wait for the revolting citizens to stop.

Yes, the revolt period with only the actual city square. So there is no way to speed that up? After taking the city I usually park at least 2 units there to fortify while I move my stack on.

There is one thing: if you happen to have a Great Artist, you can use him to make a "Great Work" this gives the city some culture, and instantly brings the city out of revolt.

This is quite expensive, as there are many other cool things you can do with a Great Person (even with a crappy one like the great artist :p). But sometimes i.e. late game, when the disorder duration goes towards 10 turns, it might be worth it.

I usually just deal with the revolt period. There is an angry red fist and a number below the city name. This tells you how many turns the city will be in revolts. The later in the game and the bigger the city the more turns. Early in the games for a size ~4 city I usually only have 2-4 turns of revolt. For a big city late in the game it can be 10 turns revolt. Awful in some circumstances. You could consider razing the city and settling a new one. However, you will get a negative motifier with the enemy for razing one of their cities and if you don't immediately have a settler available another civilization controlled by the computer will often beat you to the spot.

I thought putting more troops in the city will decrease the amount of time it stays in revolt. I'll put all my injured troops from capturing the city in there while they heal up, plus a couple totally fresh garrison troops.

I thought putting more troops in the city will decrease the amount of time it stays in revolt. I'll put all my injured troops from capturing the city in there while they heal up, plus a couple totally fresh garrison troops.Nope. :(

Putting troops will decrease the chance, thet the city revolts again (if it is unter cultural pressure). But the civil disorder time, once it revolted (or after just taking it) is unaffected by troops.