Mod: Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=111682)
Version: 1.323
Biq: 275 BC Easy
Difficulty: Consul
Aggression: Most aggressive

Introduction

After discussing the usefulness of making an AAR (After Action Report) about the latest version of RFRE in the Mod's main thread to help newcomers getting started, i decided to give it a go.
I've chosen the easy setting because of several issues:
- I'm not a great micromanager and tactician myself, after all those years playing civ3 still learning new things.
- Higher difficulty tend to be more time consuming and i don't want to spend more time on "managing" than necessary.
- The mod is hard enough at these settings anyway :)
A word on difficulty: Probably the choice of biqs affects the difficulty more than one or two levels, as the production of the dangerous units is mostly from autoproduction and the other civs usually have low production.

I'm trying to give a general overview on how things work in RFRE and how to beat it, so i'll probably won't write great stories. I don't know how regularly i'll update, as i have several other things to do (doing exams, playing other mods, playing other games, having a life and things like that), but at least i'll try.

Houserules:
I'm not using any explicit houserules at the moment (except maybe not trying to avoid fighting Hannibal or Mithridates). I'll even save and reload the game and advice to so, when playing RFRE. You'll spend a lot of time playing and you can easily ruin the game, when losing an army other something similar (if you are good enough to compensate for it, don't let me hinder you, it's just that i am not).

Getting started:
I'm beginning with trying to build up my production by mostly building fabricae respectively a ferraria in Capua. The units i'm starting with should be sufficient for initial challenges and i need the population i'd lose by building units (in RFRE most units require population, an early legion for example takes three population). The only units i'm starting to build are an aditional CUmba in Pisae and a Miles Socius in Roma. The Miles Socius has less hit points than a Legio, but the same A/D stats and uses only one population point, the Cumba i may need to ship some units to Corsica in case of a war with Carthage, while the two i already have will be needed to provide quick supply to Sicily.

Overview of chapters:

Chapter I: The Battle of Beneventum and the pacification of the south (this post)
Chapter II: The first Punic War (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=6781074&postcount=6)
Chapter III: Campaigns against Cisalpine Gauls and Western Greeks (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=6786435&postcount=11)
Chapter IV: Conquest of Illyria and Campaign against Iberians (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=6789347&postcount=16)
Chapter V: The Second Punic War (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=6789477&postcount=19)
Chapter VI: Conquest of Africa and Iberia (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=6792958&postcount=22)
Chapter VII: The Macedonian Wars and subjugation of Greece (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=6803328&postcount=28)
Chapter VIII: The Syrian War (part 1) and pacification of Cantabria (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=6805881&postcount=29)
Chapter IX: The Syrian War (part 2) (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=6808317&postcount=32)
Chapter X: The Mithridatic War and gaul invasion of northern Italia (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=6808442&postcount=33)
Chapter XI: The conquest of central Gallia and the defeat of the Ptolemies (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=6810323&postcount=38)
Chapter XII: From republic to principate and the conquest of Egyptus (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=6811536&postcount=39)
Chapter XIII: Final defeat of the gauls and Year of Four Emperors (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=6816946&postcount=45)
Chapter XIV: The Dacian War and campaigns along the Fluvius Rhenus (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=6827812&postcount=49)
Chapter XV: The Transalpine Campaign and the Golden Age of Rome (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=6829920)
Chapter XVI: The Conquest of Britannia (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=6846327&postcount=55)
Chapter XVII: A belated Jugurthine War (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=6871409&postcount=59)
Chapter XVIII: Persian Succession (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=6891865&postcount=63)
Chapter XIX: Crisis of the third Century (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=7066299&postcount=70)
Chapter XX: From Diocletian to Theodosius and to the roman decadence (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=7182434&postcount=78)
Chapter XXI: The Fall of Rome? (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=7474619&postcount=82)
Chapter XXII: The Byzantine Era (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=7474676&postcount=83)

Chapter I: The battle of Beneventum and the pacification of the south

Pyrrhos, King of Epeiros and a heir to Megas Alexandros' Empire, has been called by the greek city of Taras to help against the growing might of the roman republic. After fighting some battles against Rome and campaigning on Sicily Pyrrhus' army is drained. Now in the year 478 ab urbe condita the first time it seems possible to end the war: For a last decisive battle Pyrrhus of Epirus and the Consuls Manius Curius Dentatus and Lucius Cornelius Lentulus have drawn their battle lines near the town of Beneventum:

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/7567/bild1275agr6.jpg

To end this war as soon as possible, i have to eradicate the enemy force in the first turn. Although Pyrrhus has some decent troops with him, this battle can be won without loss and without sacrificing momentum in the campaign for Tarentum and Croton.
I use one consular Legion to defeat the elephant unit, than attack with the legiones and milites socii which are around, using velites and equites to finish fast units.

Pyrrhus' army is defeated and he decides to return to his kingdom, while i have enough units left to pose a thread to both Tarentum and Croton in the next turn. You may notice that i used the legions which were positioned to the south in direction of Croton. I'm going not to need them for Croton as i'll try to take it with fast units which will be protected by the damaged but still intact consular legion which defeated Pyrrhus' elephants.

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/9012/bild2275bpd9.jpg

After removal of Pyrrhus army the roman forces advance:

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/736/bild3275csl7.jpg

The roman fleet in Neapolis is send to Messana. In the north some spare legions begin to build a road from Pisae to Ariminum to ease an eventual defence. My Servi will work concentrated to maximize their worth, as a single terrain improvement takes a lot of time for them to complete (irrigating grassland takes 16 turns, most other actions have a base of 25, so i'm aiming at using stacks of 16 or 25 servi in the future when i have more of them).

Without their protector the southern italian greek cities are easy prey for the might of Roma.

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/4598/bild4274aae4.jpg

Here i have to explain another thing: If you build a unit which needs population and the population the build unit uses is foreign, this unit won't need support. This way you can recruit legions which work without cost (as they technically are considered slaves). In this case the population of the captured settlements is so low that it wouldn't pay off. Of course this can be considered an exploit and maybe i'll have a houserule which prohibits Legiones with non-roman citizens, so only Milites Socii and Auxiliary and such may be build from foreign citizens (please remind me when you see i'm doing it :) ).

Now i start preparing for the inevitable war with those child-murdering, despicable, greedy, [insert random insulting adjective here] Punics on sicily by sending troops down there. In the meantime i sell some right of passage treaties to fill my treasury, as i now have completed my easy conquests in the begin. Everything from now on will increasingly be more work.

The inevitable war seems to come earlier than suspected:

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/6456/bild5274blm2.jpg

Of course roman pride can never accept this insult...


Please comment!

Very nice form you have found there - a rather full storyline to go with the battle - adding thoughts ideas and remarks on ways to do certain things - I'll tell you one funny thing - I have never used the armies yet in my battles as I am unsure about being able to upgrade the legions/units thrown into the armies later.....I simply cant remember - I might add that I have only recently taken up playing civ3 again after years of neglect.....the failure to use the armies might be the reason why I am having such a hard time in the field....and I didnt know about the selling of right of passage.....nice way to help the budget....

I will follow this eagerly - well done.

:goodjob: you surely have my vote for the next term of consul

Very nice form you have found there - a rather full storyline to go with the battle - adding thoughts ideas and remarks on ways to do certain things - I'll tell you one funny thing - I have never used the armies yet in my battles as I am unsure about being able to upgrade the legions/units thrown into the armies later.....I simply cant remember - I might add that I have only recently taken up playing civ3 again after years of neglect.....the failure to use the armies might be the reason why I am having such a hard time in the field....and I didnt know about the selling of right of passage.....nice way to help the budget....

I will follow this eagerly - well done.

:goodjob: you surely have my vote for the next term of consul

Thank you!
I'm working on the second chapter at the moment (which will be a lot longer than the first) and i have not decided how the style of the report will be when it continues but i'll certainly stick with giving hints on how to do some things which are special to this scenario, because i'm doing this to a certain degree to make it easier for first time rfre players.
Regarding the armies: The units in an army can't be upgraded. But it pays off to put the early legions in. It takes a lot of time until you'll get the next legions and until then you'll miss the armies which are of use especially against special units with high hitpoints or to protect your legions on the march (remember the low defencive values!). One day you'll be able to upgrade the army and the units you put into it will be free then :)

I see!! - and upgrade sets them free again!!! - Thanx you very much for pointing that out! - Just got utterly butchered again by Carthage - those über-units have me screaming like a madman...and the city with Hannibal is always at 1 pop so even if I manage to beat that force and take the city ill not even get it but just ruin it...damned irritating (tried and early attack on carthage you see)

well I dont wanna fill up your fine AAR with my tales of failure..

good luck!

Yes! I love stories based on mods! *Subscription!*

Thank you for your support!

Chapter II: The first Punic War

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/295/bild6274cmz2.jpg

Year: 273 BC, CDLXXX AUC

War! The Poeni don't want to take our refusal and approach Messana on Sicilia.

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/7184/bild7273azx2.jpg

However, their vanguard is no match for roman cavalry. While our troops have to be replenished and supplied, the navy spots enemy ships approching.

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/4505/bild8273bam3.jpg

Our navy reports enemy ships approaching. We are able to sink some and now the complement of one of our ships has gained enough experience to be considered being among the best.
However our fleet is not numerous enough to hold off the whole of carthages minions and they were able to launch an amphibious attack on Messana, in which we lost Legio XI and a detachment of allied hoplites.

Year: 272 BC, CDLXXXII AUC

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/3608/bild9272azf1.jpg

At least we have been able to take out the intruders in a counterattack, before the Poeni were able to retreat their ships.

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/6900/bild10272bgp8.jpg

But another threat reaches the coast of Italia:

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/9309/bild11272cbo7.jpg

Year: 271 BC, CDLXXXIII AUC

Attack after attack has to be fought back, lead by the libyan mercenaries and the dreaded numidians, perhaps the finest cavalrymen in the world. But soon Roma will be ready to strike back...

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/5476/bild12271apa0.jpg

After some skirmishes around the notheastern tip of Sicilia in Spring Consul Caeso Quinctius Claudus leads his Legions, assisted by a large contingent of Velites and some Cavalry to the west in an atempt to sack Panormus, which succeeds with some losses among the Velites.

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/3632/bild13271bie3.jpg

As the roman generals have learned that due to the massive carthaginian navy the libyan mercenaries are able to strike anywhere, they take care not to expose troops in the open near the coast.

Year: 270 BC, CDLXXXIV AUC

The punic counterattack could be repelled in a close fight (the fleet east of Panormus is the one which first was spotted near Roma, they sailed south along the coast).

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/5396/bild14270ats2.jpg

In Pisae the Legiones V, VIII, IX and XIII board newly finished ships to sail to corsica.

Year: 269 BC, CDLXXXV AUC

The Legiones leave the ships south of Aleria and beginn to prepare for battle.

(Forgot to save the screenshot)

In the meantime the small roman navy around Sicilia is successful in executing quick strikes against the Poeni, everytime savely returning to the portus before the enemy can react.

Year: 268 BC, CDLXXXVI AUC

The strikeforce on corsica conquers Aleria and with it gains control over the complete island. I realise i can build the Pharus and switch production in Pisae. I think it is a good position for a "great harbour" (works like an airport), beeing something like my northern pillar at the moment, and it is the only coastal city ready to build it.

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/4416/bild16268alg3.jpg

My troops on Sicilia seem to be ready for further advance, so i proceed in direction of Agrigentum.

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/2274/bild17268ban3.jpg

Year: 267 BC, CDLXXXVII AUC

Capua completes its Ferraria. The Senate decides to grant the funds to reenlist Legio XI (SPQR Wonder has spawned a Legio the first time).
Agrigentum falls before the might of the roman legions. Now the poeni reign on Sicilia is reduced to the western region, where a young carthaginian general named Hamilkar Barca has been given command, a proud and cunning man whose family belongs to the first in Qart Hadasht, how they call their city, and claims decendancy from Dido, the queen who spoke a curse on Aeneas when he had left to continue his search for a new home.

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/4092/bild18267aty7.jpg

Year: 266 BC, CDLXXXVIII AUC

But the Poeni have not lost their teeth: The counterattack on Agrigentum, launched from sea, as the usual tactic seems to be, brought two consuls with their legions near extinction. Roman discipline was the only thing standing between them and a crushing defeat.

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/7784/bild19266akz7.jpg

Year: 264 BC, XD AUC

After a period without major confrontations new battles are coming up. Four Legions have been shipped to the north of Sardinia. Some carthaginian troops which made the long journey from Hispania will soon reach Italia.

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/705/bild20264adz1.jpg

And on Sicilia the Consuls prepare to face Hamilkar on the battlefield.

Year: 263 BC, XDI AUC

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/3167/bild21263ark4.jpg

A succesful, oh!, a glorious year for the sons of Mars, the heirs of Aeneas! From this day noone shall dare to treat a roman less than equal!
Roman valour prevails, the Intruders are slain, Hamilkar is defeated and flees the field of battle. Carthage has lost her last stronghold on Sicilia and half of Sardinia, too!

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/2989/bild22263bif2.jpg

Another hint: Lilybaeum has an improvement called "Portus Mercatorius" preplaced. This improvement acts as a "great harbour" which equals an airport in this mod. If this portus mercatorius is destroyed when taking the city you won't be able to build a new one, as you usually need a navalia as prerequisite, which in turn needs lumber in city radius which Lilybaeum does not have. So, if you want to retain the great harbour in Lilybaeum you could save before taking the city and reload if it has been destroyed.

Year: 261 BC, XDIII AUC

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/5311/bild23261aes7.jpg

Year: 260 BC, XDIV AUC

Carales has fallen, Sardinia is roman.

Year: 258 BC, XDVI AUC

An expeditionary force of four Legiones lands on the Baleares.

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/4712/bild24258aoc5.jpg

The Poeni have found friends among the pathetic greeks! This shall not bother us much...

Year: 256 BC, XDVIII AUC

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/3849/bild25256aci7.jpg

The Baleares are now under roman law and will supply the legions with valuable Slingers, deadly warriors in ranged combat.

Capua completes the Ferraria Magna and Pisae the Pharus:

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/7103/bild26256bmd3.jpg

The Pharus allows trade and safe travel through sea tiles, acts as a great port and increases the movement of my ships by one point (not to forget its support is expensive).

Year: 255 BC, ID AUC

Finally the Senate decides to give peace to Carthago after payment of some gold (i had a screenshot of this, too, but i reached the image limit and had to delete one).

I did not have any war weariness yet and still had the resources to continue the war, but there is little to gain at the moment: In spain i'd have to stop in front of carthago nova, because it gets a massive 900 % defence bonus until 225 BC from the Hasdrubal Dux wonder which will spawn Hasdrubal Barcas army. Mediolanum is protected by the Hannibal Dux wonder which will spawn Hannibal. And at last, though i'm not heading for absolute historical accuracy, i'm not going to conquer africa before spain, so now it is time to let the conflict rest and think about what is to come.

also subscribing...

Good story Stazro, well illustrated. If you and Christophoros can bring these games well into the ADs, I will link them in the front post of the mod, so as to be become real tutorials. Keep going!

Good story Stazro, well illustrated. If you and Christophoros can bring these games well into the ADs, I will link them in the front post of the mod, so as to be become real tutorials. Keep going!

Thank you. It will take some time until then but i'd appreciate that.

Good story Stazro, well illustrated. If you and Christophoros can bring these games well into the ADs, I will link them in the front post of the mod, so as to be become real tutorials. Keep going!

I also thank you, for I am glad to contribute in whatever small way to what I think is the greatest mod for Civ 3.

I'd also like to commend Stazro as he is taking the time and putting in the efforts needed to write a good, readable story with screenshots and not a simple tutorial like me. Ave !

A small note before i start the next chapter: I'm playing quite aggressively in this game (what you will see in the following chapters III and IV), so don't think it is absolutely necessary to catch up with my expansion. In my oppinion it is possible to do two wars at a time, as long as you don't fight one of the major opponents and i'm trying to use my units as much as i can.

Chapter III:

In the following years i continue improving my cities and begin gathering troops for a campaign against the cisalpine celts. I'm ignoring Aetolia for now, as i don't want to have units bound to greece for two cities when i'm engaged elsewhere.

Year: 252 BC, DII AUC

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/5886/bild28252agb7.jpg

The next tech will be Cisalpine and Illyric Wars.

Year: 250 BC, DIV AUC

After the southern and western borders of the res publica have been widened in the long and bloody war with carthago, the senate now has come to the opinion that the northern border should be secured from incursions of barbaric celts, living in Liguria and the valley of the river Padus. Thus the Consuls are send to lead a campaign against the Liguri, Umbri and Veneti.

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/2626/bild29250amf9.jpg

Year: 249 BC, DV AUC

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/8342/bild30249azk4.jpg

The Mare Nostrum will regularly spawn Corvi, which are slow, but can enslave ships, which is very useful, as the captured ships don't require support. These are quite weak, but can be upgraded later.

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/136/bild31249buj0.jpg

As the Aetolians have to fear the might of Rome, they agree to sign a ceasefire on Rome's conditions.

Each Consul leads an army of which one marches in direction of Genua and the other in direction of Ravenna. Both the Liguri and Umbri show less resistance than expected and are brought down with ease.

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/6935/bild32249cvl9.jpg

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/3797/bild33249dgk7.jpg

In the siege of Ravenna a new weapon is used: the Ballista. Artillery is an important factor in this scenario: Rome will face a lot of special units with many hitpoints, which will give you high casualties if you don't have sufficient artillery to soften them up.

Year: 246 BC, DVIII AUC

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/4803/bild34246afm5.jpg

After defeat of the Veneti the last remaining major tribe in cisalpine gaul are the Insubri, who for now shall be subject of Rome's watchful eye, but not her swords.

Year: 240 BC, DXIV AUC

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/1639/bild35240ano4.jpg

Year: 238 BC, DXVI AUC

The volcano Mons Vesuvius has erupted! Luckily the eruption did not harm the nearby city of Neapolis. The Augures take this as a sign in favour of actions that are to come.
Knowing this, the senate approves of the plans for several other campaigns to enhance the security of the roman republic. These plans include radical measures against the Samnites, who regularly revolt against roman hegemony, and the integration of several greek colonies along the shores of the western and central mediterranean.
The republican forces are deployed in four armies. One, under command of one consul, will proceed against the Samnites. The second Consul leads an army to finally subdue Hiero of Syracusae. Four Legions assisted by two allied legions of Milites Socii and two detachments of Funditores will start an attack at Saguntum, while a huge legionary corps marches west from Liguria to occupy the cities of Massilia and Narbo.

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/3149/bild36238ari7.jpg

Saguntum and Bovianum fall in 237, Syracusae in 236 and Massilia, after the consular army from Bovianum arrived, in 235:

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/4235/bild37235agi1.jpg

The western Greeks don't offer much resistance, i think they were broke and had to disband some units. For example, i saw a samnite peltast in Bovianum, but he disappeared in the next turn and i never had to fight one.

Year: 234 BC, DXX AUC

With Narbo, the last target of the campaign is taken:

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/9633/bild38234aei5.jpg

Now the roman republic has access to gallic goods, which will help to enhance the quality of life.

At this time the main body of the army consists of 17 roman (Legio) and 12 allied (Miles Socius) Legions.

The western and central part of the res publica in 233:

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/9296/bild39233afj8.jpg

Year: 229 BC, DXXV AUC

To complete the supply route down to Saguntum we need Tarraco, too. Too bad that the Sedetani don't want to join the republic.

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/6766/bild40229auf1.jpg

Year: 228 BC, DXXVI AUC

They better had!

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/1554/bild41228asv9.jpg

bravo - well done!

as for being on the warpath all the time where you can - the more one can manage to get into the fold as soon as in ANY way possible the more you have when you really need some gear, money and fair maidens.....or whatever Gaul products are or Greek products for that matter.... ;)

subscribing

Very good.

Try not to use thumbnails. Use the Image tags. For example: Say the URL to the image is Roma Victrix. Instead of creating a thumbnail, use Roma Victrix.

Very good.

Try not to use thumbnails. Use the Image tags. For example: Say the URL to the image is Roma Victrix. Instead of creating a thumbnail, use Roma Victrix.

Thank you, i'll try that. Chapter IV will be up soon, V later this day.

Chapter IV:

Year: 227 BC

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/4117/bild42227acv8.jpg

This tech enables me to build the Praetor wonder, which fights corruption. On the other hand, it costs a lot of maintenance, so i'll probably don't build it yet, because it wouldn't pay off now.

My war against Iberia continues. I plan to take Numantia and Toletum in this war, build roads and kill off their attacking armies until i can sign a ceasefire. As i won't need all my forces in the west i'll start another war. Use the units you have!

Year: 224 BC

Pirates have been a nuisance in the Mare Adriaticum for the last decades. Many of them have their hideouts along the illyrian coast, so the senate decides to fund a campaign in that region:

http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/3292/bild43224ael8.jpg

I use Cumbae from Ariminum and Barium to deploy my forces on three spots in Illyria, so i don't need to march along the whole coast.

Year: 221 BC

Some aetolian ships were suspiciously sailing through roman territory, so i asked them to leave:

http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/9890/bild44221aka1.jpg

This allows me to sink the ships before i they had the opportunity to attack, but my forces in the east are a bit depleted by the war with illyria, so i let another one do some of the work for me:

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/5750/bild45221bhl1.jpg

Year: 220 BC

The war in Hispania comes to an end, Tarraco, Numantia and Toletum are roman. Now it is time to prepare Spain for a second Punic War.

Year: 219 BC

The subjugation of the illyrian pirates is complete, which means i can concentrate on Aetolia now.

The east in 219 BC:

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/4616/bild46219aho5.jpg

Year: 218 BC

With the assistance of the Macedones our troops capture Ambracia:

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/3065/bild47219bfq3.jpg

Year: 216 BC

The Macedons capture Delphi and destroy the Aetolians, but they have lost a lot of units including Philip's Elephants, so a future war against them will be considerably easier.

Year: 215 BC

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/9683/bild48216awm9.jpg

This tech will allow me to build the Imperium Scipionis wonder which will spawn a Legio Scipionis, an army unit which represents Legions under leadership of Scipio. The Imperium Scipionis will go obsolete with Slavery tech, so if i research this i will get one Legio Scipionis. You can research Education first, so you will get another one, but i have decided not to do that in this game, but to try to get Marian Legions as soon as possible and use Education for another Legio Caesaris, which will become available later.

The Portus Campaniae in Neapolis has spawned a Navis Actuaria. This is an excellent transport ship with high capacity and speed. You can't build any of them, as they are autoproduced only. One spawns from the Portus Campaniae before it becomes obsolete and later they can be spawned by the Portus Migrare. In order to build the Portus Migrare you need four Navaliae which in turn need fine lumber in city radius.

Year: 214 BC

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/7472/bild49214aok5.jpg

The Circus Maximus makes two citizens in Rome and one in every other city happy.

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/918/bild50214bvb9.jpg

Woot! It's a whole lot easier to read with image tags....

Woot! It's a whole lot easier to read with image tags....

Yes. I've edited the other chapters, too.


Teaser: Next chapter will feature a fight against Hannibal Barca, though not as spectacular as you may hope :)

Chapter V: The Second Punic War

Year: 207 BC

I think i am ready for the next war against Carthago and my forces are positioned for preemptive strike. In preparation for this war i have gone for the first time beyond the free upkeep limit which is 55 units in republic with easy biq. However, this will hopefully be only temporary. If i'm not losing "enough" units, i'll disband some soon. In republic i have to pay 8 gold for every non-free unit above 55!

Northern Italy:

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/7051/bild51207afp1.jpg

Spain:

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/2492/bild52207bul3.jpg

There is an exploit which allows you to avoid fighting Hannibal by taking Mediolanum, the only city of the barcid civilization. This is, of course, not intended by the designers of this scenario, who have put a lot of work especially in making Hannibal to attack Italy. Thus, i will fight him before taking Mediolanum (of course i'm not going to let him wreak havoc, but do my very best to stop him).

Because of the higher war weariness when starting a war yourself, i make the enemy declare on me:

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/5813/bild53207cab2.jpg

Now i attack the carthaginians on their territory, so the barcids will declare war, too:

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/3854/bild54207dpy6.jpg

The first goal is the defeat of Hannibal. To do this i have build a huge force of Ballistae (the units which exceeded the free upkeep limit) which open the fight, followed by the funditores. This bombardment ends with Hannibal beeing redlined:

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/4237/bild55207eqs5.jpg

An elite Miles Socius is enough to beat him:

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/3056/bild56207fsz4.jpg

Hannibal is history and i haven't lost any unit, which is something i really haven't dreamed of.

Hasdrubal has to be dealt with without artillery, but he is not nearly as dangerous and can be taken by a consular legion.

Without Hannibal there is no way for Mediolanum to resist for long.

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/1430/bild57207gdu9.jpg

Ten of my Legions which did not see action board the Navis Actuaria waiting at Pisae and land in Tarraco, ready to reinforce my hispanic operations.

The following years are spend with naval battles around sicily and breaking the carthaginian attacks in spain.

Year: 203 BC

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/1995/bild58203aii4.jpg

Slavery allows the building of Catastae. These enhance a city's production and spawn servi, but they increase the risk of slave unrest (= pollution). The only units which are effective at fighting slave unrest are legions and equites, so you have to be careful where to build catastae.
I usually use equites who quickly can be where slave unrest strikes, due to their two movement points. If you are using Equites just for the purpose of fighting slave unrest, you should not upgrade them to Eques Legionarius when these become available, because they are not as good at fighting slave unrest.

Year: 202 BC

Finally i can shift to offence in Hispania:

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/468/bild59202afq4.jpg

Year: 200 BC

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/6633/bild60200akq6.jpg

Year: 199 BC

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/969/bild61199adx4.jpg

Year: 298 BC

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/238/bild62198adv5.jpg

Year: 197 BC

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/3348/bild63197aeb7.jpg

Whenever it has been possible i used the Navis Actuaria to speed up the advance.

The spanish campaign is completed, the barcid holdings now become the roman province of Hispania.


This is as far as i have played right now, so it will take some time to the next update. As Christophoros is ahead of me in his parallel AAR i think i have to be careful what to do when i don't want to look like an imitator ;)

An imitator ? No worries, you have shown bold tactics and have done several good moves, like the quick strike against Illyria. You're already outpacing me conquest wise. Keep up the Roman Eagles high and proud !

An imitator ? No worries, you have shown bold tactics and have done several good moves, like the quick strike against Illyria. You're already outpacing me conquest wise. Keep up the Roman Eagles high and proud !

Thank you! I think i'll stick to aggressive and risky expansion. In my other games i've been more cautious, but i think with enough resolve rome can handle a lot of pressure.

Yes, i know, i keep telling i have no time and yet i keep posting. I have to go to the anonymous civaholics, for i just play way to much :(

Chapter VI:

Year: 196 BC

I'm dividing my hispanic forces to conduct one campaign against Carthago in Africa and one campaign against the iberian tribes at the same time.
My vanguard lands on the roaded tile southwest of Cartenna:

http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/6510/bild64196axq8.jpg

Year: 195 BC

Roma completes the Portus Ostiae:

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/175/bild65195awk6.jpg

The Portus Ostiae causes Roma to produce an additional commerce in every tile which already produces one, puts a granary in every city on the continent and acts as a great port.

Although the poeni deliver heavy resistance, Cartenna is not able to hold on.

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/4216/bild66195bkc9.jpg

Year: 194 BC

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/8788/bild67194azy8.jpg

Year: 193 BC

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/8048/bild68193ajh4.jpg

The Pantheon makes one citizen in every city happy.

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/2318/bild69193brs4.jpg

In the meantime the remaining forces in Hispania took position near Hispalis, in order to start another war against the iberian barbarians.

Beeing near to the border makes Pax Iulia easy prey:

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/9901/bild70193ccx8.jpg

Year: 192 BC

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/4227/bild71192arc4.jpg

The Portus Migrare will spawn a Navis Actuaria every 40 turns ad serves as a great port. For this i thought Massilia would be another good position, because it will be at the base of an eventual conquest of Gaul. However, i have invested money in the city to speed up its development.

Year: 191 BC

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/9544/bild72191aml8.jpg

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/6369/bild73191bfw9.jpg

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/5683/bild74191ckb9.jpg

In Africa i take Utica and meet Xanthippos, a spartan mercenary who reformed the carthaginian military a long while ago and is probably dead for some time *cough*(You probably are supposed to meet him earlier in a first punic war, but i'm not sure if i can recommend raiding africa just to fight Xanthippos in a historical time).

Year: 189 BC

While Romans march through the streets of Scallabis, Publius Cornelius Scipio the younger prepares for an attack on Carthago itself. It is defended by the sacred band, the finest soldiers the Poeni can field and Hannibal, returned from defeat, commands the defence.
Scipio is ready to start a bombardment with sixteen ballistae and to order attack after attack until resistance is broken.

Year: 188 BC

The defenders take heavy casualties, but they fight on.

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/4440/bild75188awe9.jpg

Year: 187 BC

After the conquest of Olisipo Roma signs a ceasefire with the Iberians. Now it is time to build roads and plan new supply lines.

Hispania in 187 BC:

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/1562/bild76187abn0.jpg

I later changed production in most of the cities which are producing Praesidium at the moment of the screenshot, because they don't need a new defender right now and can build something more useful for their production.

[On the minimap you can see one thing that worries me: The Ptolemies are having a really bad time against the Seleucids. Maybe i have messed it up with "most aggressive" setting. I'm curious, if the Persians have been active, yet.]

The attacks on Carthago are continued with success.

The last line of defence:

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/5361/bild77187bvr5.jpg

Year: 186 BC

Hannibal and Scipio just before the end:

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/5996/bild78186azb6.jpg

Year: 185 BC

Carthago and Libya have fallen, an era comes to an end.

Africa in 185 BC:

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/9127/bild79185adt6.jpg

The guys in the south are Ptolemies, don't ask me what they are doing there instead of defending their homes...

WOOOOOO!! Nice job Stazro! Achieving everything you've done by 190 B.C. Congratulations!

I can't believe Seleukos are actually kicking Egypt's butt ! I've never seen anything like this. In all my games, the most Seleukos actually achieved was to retain all their cities and not lose anything to Persia. I'm very eager to see what will happen between these two as the game progresses.

WOOOOOO!! Nice job Stazro! Achieving everything you've done by 190 B.C. Congratulations!

Thank you very much!

I can't believe Seleukos are actually kicking Egypt's butt ! I've never seen anything like this. In all my games, the most Seleukos actually achieved was to retain all their cities and not lose anything to Persia. I'm very eager to see what will happen between these two as the game progresses.

Me too.

wow! - you are really kickin up some dust! - if you go on like this you will have the largest empire around 1 AD instead of 115 AD.....

keep up the steam - it is a joy to read about and behold - your empire that hopefully will carry europe past the dark ages!

ave!

wow! - you are really kickin up some dust! - if you go on like this you will have the largest empire around 1 AD instead of 115 AD.....

keep up the steam - it is a joy to read about and behold - your empire that hopefully will carry europe past the dark ages!

ave!

Thank you, my joy is even greater than yours when i see people do like it :) When i had more time, i'd try to write more like a story teller and edit pics (which i'm a noob at, i'm just cutting the screenshots to focus on the interesting things), but it's nice that people like this way, too.

I know i'm fast right now, but there are still many factors which can significantly slow down: Some civs need really long time to be beaten considering how long it took in reality (especially Ptolemies [well, perhaps not in this game], Seleucids), for the germanics i'll probably need full force, gaul is a large country without roads, turns will take more than one year and so on.
I'm not sure, but i think i have never finished my conquests in historical time.

Edit: Update at the weekend...

Chapter VII: Downfall of the Greeks

The next years are a period of peace. Legionaries are building roads in the most remote regions of the republic, legions are being refilled and shipped to other coasts.

I decided not to wage war against the Numidians. There is little to gain - only a few cities can be taken - but much to lose as they have tons of Equites Numidici. Now i rather retain "good" relations and direct my eye on other lands. But beware of the Eques Praedabundus! It is a hidden nationality unit and will sometimes attack you, when it is spawned in the desert. Hadrumetum is a likely target. You should have at least a handful of Velites around. And better don't give them right of passage, as long as you have unprotected servi moving around and until your cities in africa have a decent number of defenders.

Year: 179 BC

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/2393/bild80179awm4.jpg

Shall this be an omen?
Hm, yes, it shall. My thoughts are the following:
Soon i will research Marius' Reforms. This will enable me to upgrade my Legiones to Legio Marius, which is better in attack and defence. The only place where i can upgrade units is actually Roma, which means i need to bring all my legions there in order to upgrade them. If my Legions are on campaign it will take much time, if they are not, i waste time, too. So i'll concentrate all my forces in one campaign, trying to finish it before i research the Reform. Macedonia and Greece seem to be a good target. They have strong armies which have to be dealt with, but once these are crushed it will be a short campaign, as they have only a small number of cities. After this, i'll bring the legions and allies to Roma, where i will upgrade them and have the opportunity to organise them new.
First i have to bring my forces to the balcans. For my african troops i use something like a "shuttle service": Cumbae are going from Carthago to Agrigentum and from Tarentum to Apollonia, while my Navis Actuaria moves back and forth between Messina and Tarentum (this works because i've build the Pharus and my ships get an additional movement point). The armies, which take much place in a ship, use the great port in Carthago to Roma, where they can heal faster due to a building similar to the barracks (i think the palace works this way as well as the Triumphus, which needs full citizenship, which in turn is only available in Rome at the beginning).

In Iberia i will have to build some roads before moving by foot. Perhaps not all of these legions will reach the east in time.

With this tech i can build the Castra Hoplitarum, too. It regularly spawns a Hoplitae Alarius, which does not cost support and can be used as a decent, movable defender which can garrison newly conquered cities until they can build their own praesidii. This castra can be build in any city which has greek goods in its city radius, so at this moment it will be three cities in southern Italia, but soon i'll attack greece and have a larger base to recruit allied hoplites.
A similar building is the Castra Celtica, which i can build in some spanish and later gallic cities. This spawns celtic foot soldiers, which are weak, but don't cost support and be upgraded to celtic auxiliary cavalry (and later beyond) which is a valuable force. It has to be noted, though, that once you upgrade your celtic soldiers they will cost support, so you should do this only in times of need.
The Castra Numidica is a small wonder which spawns numidian cavalry. It can be build in mauretania.

Year: 178 BC

And here it is:

http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/2848/bild81178aer3.jpg

Year: 176 BC

http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/7650/bild82176asb0.jpg

The Praetor finally is finished and places a praetorium in every city which will help to reduce corruption.

After almost ten years of peace the time has come, when the doors to the temple of Ianus are to be opened again, as a sign that the republic is at war. I have assembled nearly all of my offencive forces close to the border. Only seven Legions who had to finish roads in Iberia and one funditor who has been spawned last turn are still on their way and will arrive in about three turns, early enough to take part in the war.

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/7089/bild83176bbf7.jpg

I infuriate the macedons by making extortionate demands and then tell them to leave my territory:

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/2535/bild84176cib2.jpg

In the next two years i destroy a good number of attacking units. The AI seems to like attacking Apollonia, so i have to defend it well.

Year: 174 BC

My main army in the north of Macedonia has broken the resistance in the antigonid capital:

http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/9756/bild85174aco3.jpg

Year: 172 BC

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/3493/bild86172aaq1.jpg

When attacking Delphi you have to be aware that it's on a tile which gives a high bonus to defensive values. Better you take it when it's Aetolian, because the Antigonids have better defenders.

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/2195/bild87172bqc7.jpg

The ai made the typical mistake to move units from the city (see the ships in the east, one of them will be sunk by pirates next turn, btw) just before my attack, so there were only two defenders left.

Year: 171 BC

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/6339/bild88171btl2.jpg

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/504/bild89171bvu0.jpg

Macedonia becomes a new roman province, the ambition of Antigonos' family to produce a new Alexander has ended. Four turns left until research of Marius' Reform will be completed.

Year: 169 BC

It is time to complete the conquest of mainland greece.

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/1120/bild90169anm7.jpg

Year: 168 BC

http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/5425/bild91168ajc2.jpg

Fighting defenders with four or five hitpoints is like holidays after the Antigonids!

Year: 167 BC

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/658/bild92167aqh7.jpg

The last war of pre-marian Legions (except those in armies):

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/3143/bild93167bik1.jpg

When this is over, my legions are quite near to rome and i shouldn't lose to much time for upgrading them to Legio Marius, who have one additional attack and defence point.

Year: 166 BC

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/8449/bild94166age9.jpg

http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/6399/bild95166bjr6.jpg

Roman valour has been victorious over the decadent greeks!

Chapter VIII: Some new business and some unfinished

Year: 161 BC

I now have upgraded my legions and can direct my eyes to the east again. As operational base and bridgehead will serve Pergamum, which i made to join me by propaganda. Rhodus will serve as a naval base.

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/6216/bild96161aqa6.jpg

Another people which choses to join the republic are the Thracians:

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/7353/bild97161bmf3.jpg

Year: 160 BC

Oh, surprise, surprise!

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/4328/bild98160amj5.jpg

Well, in some way it has really been surprising, because he declared war by attacking a city with two armies and seventeen legio marius (all completely healed) in it. Ah, luckily i'm kind of prepared :)

Year: 157 BC

After my artillery has arrived and several (seeminly despaired and hopeless) attacks have been fought back, the Legiones Romanorum will march again.

Year: 156 BC

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/6880/bild99156awt4.jpg

Year: 155 BC

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/3234/bild100155adn0.jpg

Historically, in 88 BC all people living south of the Po River (Fluvius Padus) were granted citizenship. This is represented in RFRE by the Lex Agraria Wonder.
First, you have to enter Civil War (this replaces the Vanilla Revolution, the civil war gouvernment is not as devastating as anarchy, though). When in Civil War you can build the Lex Agraria in Roma. This wonder places a Municipium, a partial citizenship, in all of your cities but will stop to work when you are leaving the civil war, so you have to be fast to take full benefit from the Lex Agraria: As long as it works and Municipii are granted for your cities you can build a Civitas, full citizenship in one turn. Full citizenship allows your cities several buildings which a non citizen settlement cannot build. When you leave the civil war, you can still grant your cities citizenship, but then you will have to build the Municipium manually which takes a long time.
So, make sure all your cities get civitas as soon as you are in civil war!

You can of course wait some time until you have more cities which would benefit from the Lex Agraria (deadline would be Sulla's Rule tech, as Lex Agraria will go obsolete then), but i personally prefer having the civil war done as soon as possible.

I enter civil war and start building the Lex Agraria in Roma.

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/8655/bild101155bsm5.jpg

As you probably noticed, i like opening new theatres:

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/9162/bild102155cux1.jpg

They have lived in peace for long enough! By the way, i think this is the 100th picture in this story.

Year: 154 BC

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/8559/bild103154ard9.jpg

Now i can start granting citizenship to cities all over the republic.

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/7899/bild104154bcs7.jpg

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/7339/bild105154cny3.jpg

Year: 153 BC

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/1900/bild106153ahx9.jpg

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/182/bild107153bxd6.jpg

The Senate decides to award Legio XIX with the honorific cognomen Rapax for extraordinary courage in the battle of Flaviobriga while sweeping the elite of the Cantabri before them.

Year: 152 BC

Now i have a second Navis Actuaria, spawned by the Portus Migrare in Massilia.

Year: 150 BC

The civil war ends. I chose again roman republic. Roman monarchy is only in the game to enable going into civil war.

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/8226/bild108150abt2.jpg

Year: 148 BC (now 1 turn two years i think)

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/4366/bild109148akr8.jpg

Hispania is finally pacified. Legio XXV is awarded the honorific cognomen Hispana for outstanding prowess throughout the campaign.

Year: 146 BC

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/518/bild110146axo5.jpg

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/4775/bild111146bht8.jpg


If you have any questions, suggestions or criticism, please write!

Still a magnificent pace !

Could you tell us what happened, as far as you know between Egypt and Syria. Was Tyrus the only city who changed hands ? Did Syria still had the "normal" number of units to fight you with ? Also, has there been, as long as you can know, a war between Persia and Syria ? Thanks,

Still a magnificent pace !

Could you tell us what happened, as far as you know between Egypt and Syria. Was Tyrus the only city who changed hands ? Did Syria still had the "normal" number of units to fight you with ? Also, has there been, as long as you can know, a war between Persia and Syria ? Thanks,

The Ptolemies hold Cyprus, Alexandria, Siwah and the Cyrenaica. All the rest has gone to the seleucids. The unit numbers are greatly reduced (or maybe in Egypt), after some waves at the beginning i didn't have to deal with any great stacks. I don't know if there was a war between Persia and Syria. The Persians hold Seleuceia, but i'm not sure, if they own it initially or maybe took it by cultural conversion.
Situation between Egypt and Syria is later mostly the same (i've played up to 108 BC yesterday, a short update about the rest of my first Syrian War will come soon).

Chapter IX: Conquest of Syria

Year: 144 BC

The war against the seleucids, who seem to be seriously weakened by their war against the ptolemies, continues:

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/4346/bild112144auo3.jpg

Year: 142 BC

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/5056/bild113142aqo6.jpg

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/8391/bild114142bpb0.jpg

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/3089/bild115142crb9.jpg

Year: 140 BC

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/8783/bild116140acg6.jpg

Syria now is mine and i have gained access to oriental goods, so i agree to make peace with the seleucids:

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/2760/bild117140blu1.jpg

They retain Babylon and the greater part of egypt.

I'll close this small chapter with this map of the roman republic in 140 BC or 614 AUC:

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/4035/bild118140cil1.jpg


If you want more description, please tell me! I appreciate feedback, because otherwise i wouldn't know how to make it better and i'm not writing this just for me (that would be pointless, wouldn't it?) ;)

Chapter X: The Mithridatic War and gallic invasion of northern Italia

The next war i'm seeking in the east will be against pontus, as they are the only power to challenge my hegemony over minor asia. Between them and my holdings are three states: Bithynia, Galatia and Armenia. The later two are possible partners for military alliances and Bithynia can be acquired by propaganda and shall be used as operational base.
Armenia is not to be underestimated in their power and can prove as a useful ally in a war against persia, which may come, so i try to have good relations with them and sign a right of passage and gift them Greek Goods, which i have in abundance. The Persians get Celts from me and hopefully will be less motivated to touch my borders.

New subjects:

http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/9044/bild119140dhu0.jpg

Year: 136 BC

I notice some gallic activities near the border. If this becomes an attack, i'm not as prepared as i'd like to be, but my legions from hispania will be ready soon.

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/4611/bild120136aod9.jpg

Year: 134 BC

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/2093/bild121134alk7.jpg

Imperium Extraordinarium Pompeianum will generate a Quinquiremis Summa every five turns and adds two movement points for naval units.

http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/8551/bild122134beh6.jpg

Imperium Pompeianum spawns a legio marius every three turns, but makes two citizens unhappy in the city in which it is build and one in every other city. It can only be build in Pergamum.

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/9841/bild123134cnb3.jpg

Honestly, this does look like an attack, doesn't it?

Year: 132 BC

Sure it does.

http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/1261/bild124132afd3.jpg

This gives me the opportunity to destroy their unique champion unit (when you are doing an invasion in gaul and suddenly Vercingetorix pops up and hacks your armies in pieces, you'll learn to appreciate when he gives a nice target for a dozen funditores on open terrain):

http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/7089/bild125132bja9.jpg

Legio XXXIV is awarded the honorific Cognomen Gallica for defeating the gallic invasion force and capturing the enemy warlord.

Year: 128 BC

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/4299/bild126128anp4.jpg

The Servi Defecti wonder greatly increases slave unrest but spawns a Eques every two turns under a republican gouvernment.

The Legions from Hispania succeed in defeating the Volcae, who threatened the cities of Narbo and Massilia:

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/738/bild127128btg5.jpg

However, a war in the west does not bind our legions in the east.

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/8664/bild128128cqm3.jpg

As it is now, i will probably not meet an Exercitus Mithridatis, as it is spawned by a wonder which can be build after 100 BC. This is a pity, but it's just to much waiting for me.
The backbone of the pontic army is the bellator armenius, who has an attack of 8 and moves fast even through hills, very annoying. To eat up some of their power i involve the armenians and galatians in the war.
They both don't even want money for the military alliance.

Year: 126 BC

The Gauls come in huge armies over the alps. At the moment i'm mostly using Miles Alarius Celticus, Velites, Funditores and one Eques Numidicus to hold them off. One Navis Actuaria moves units along the coast to where they are needed.

Year: 124 BC

The gallic invasion seems nearly stopped, but my forces have suffered, too.

Another front sees more progress:

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/8660/bild129124asn3.jpg

Year: 122 BC

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/3171/bild130122avw6.jpg

Year: 120 BC

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/1774/bild131120aeg8.jpg

Year: 118 BC

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/6352/bild132118aft5.jpg

Year: 116 BC

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/2438/bild133116arf9.jpg

Year: 112 BC

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/600/bild134112avo6.jpg

Now i have to go to civil war again, in order to change to triumvirate republic, and will start the Imperium Caesaris, which will spawn a Legio Caesaris every ten turns until Dictator tech is discovered (i enter Narbo, where i build it, via the Advisor window, so the 0 shield costing building is completed in the same turn as the discovery and i don't even lose production shields because i synchronized the previous building with the tech).

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/4115/bild135112bzc2.jpg

The Imperium Caesaris can only be build in a city with gallic goods in city radius. As the spanish cities are remote and undeveloped this reduces the choice to Narbo, whis has the Great Port in Massilia in reach (and is intended to be the home base for Caesars' conquest of gaul).

Year: 110 BC

http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/146/bild136110anh2.jpg

The east in 110 BC:

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/1417/bild137110bro7.jpg

The pontians had taken Tigranocerta from Armenia, so i had to free it.

Histograph:

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/4443/bild138110cde5.jpg

Phew, exactly 20 pictures.

Your story is excellent. I wonder how much reloads you've needed for this powerful show. ;) :worship:

You can always return Tigranocerta to the Armenians :P Dioscurias should be theirs too ;) Honestly, you are progressing (seemingly, I don't know about your reload frequency!) just too well. You might have a very long and boring Pax Romana period!

Your story is excellent. I wonder how much reloads you've needed for this powerful show. ;) :worship:

I'm not counting :lol: and i'm not trying to hide something (from opening post):


I'll even save and reload the game and advice to so, when playing RFRE.

On the other hand, there are whole chapters without any reloads and i'm reloading only saves from the same turn, so i think i'm not distorting much. :)

Edit:

You can always return Tigranocerta to the Armenians :P Dioscurias should be theirs too ;) Honestly, you are progressing (seemingly, I don't know about your reload frequency!) just too well. You might have a very long and boring Pax Romana period!

I'm thinking about returning it, it won't hurt me.
About my progress: In this game i'm trying to go to the limit of possible expansion and i think it helps that i have played it for - urm, don't know - six or seven (?) times. Another thing is the aggression: I believe it's making the conquest more easy. Especially the seleucids were a shadow of their performance in other campaigns i played. Making the ai to be the aggressor does help a lot with war weariness. I have never experienced ww until now (which is really notable, but reasonable when you think about how many times i have been attacked)!

Edit 2:

A lot of time is spend with moving units from one theatre to the other. So, before i start a war i think about where my ships should be to make progress as fast as possible and to pick up the troops when they have done what they are intended to do, which war is to be fought next and so on. And i'm always fighting on two fronts, which increases the burden but greatly reduces the time spend on logistics. I'm sometimes starting to move units away before the war is really finished. On the picture of pontus after the conquest you can see some legions moving south in the lower left corner.

Reminds me a lot of my current game that I've put on hold for awhile and I hope that this story is seen through all the way to the end. I've yet to actually finish the game and usually stop playing around the Fall of Rome tech.

Been playing almost the whole day... This is only the first part. I'm tired, so please excuse me if i'm repeating myself.

Chapter XI: The conquest of central Gallia and the defeat of the Ptolemies

Year: 106 BC

Roman Legions are advancing in Gaul to punish the pathetic celts:

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/87/bild139106alz7.jpg

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/9276/bild140106beq8.jpg

As proposed by Pinktilapia, i give Dioscurias and Tigranocerta to Armenia, who are now gracious towards me, a seldom occurrence these days *cough*.

Year: 104 BC

The Ptolemies declare war on the Numidians... One moment i thought i'd have to hurry to get Cyrenaica before the Numids can do, but the Eques Numidicus is not able to enter desert and so hopefully the forces of Numidia won't be enough.

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/218/bild141104ard2.jpg

Why do i conquer Chersonesus? Well, it likely will be a pushover once the goths or scythians have a war in mind, but it has barbarian goods, another luxury which i can expect to gain earliest when attacking Germania, if not here (assumed i get a Portus Mercatorius here soon enough...).

Year: 102 BC

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/8798/bild142102avq5.jpg

Year: 100 BC

The eastern Legions are rolling again, two turns after Pontus has been defeated and - of course! - we are not the aggressor:

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/1263/bild143100ayx8.jpg

Year: 98 BC

Salamis, where i landed with ten ballistae, one Legio Consularis and seven legions, has a lot of toxotis and still holds out. However, i now know there was only one hoplite, so i can thin out my defence along the coast.

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/7614/bild14498anj0.jpg

As long as i'm in civil war it takes long to complete roads, so i continue my war until i'm able to road Gallia in a reasonable amount of turns.

Year: 96 BC

The agreement of three powerful patricians to form a triumvirate ends the civil war:

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/9600/bild14596awd6.jpg

The Triumvirate Republic has lower war weariness and unit support costs than the Republic. Note that though the civilopedia states that hurrying would not be possible in fact you can hurry by paying.

It also enables me to build the Dictator Perpetuus wonder which gives me two advances, which should be Dictator and Age of Augustus, which are very expencive. But before i research Dictator and build the Dictator Perpetuus, i'll research Drama Theory and secure that it will not be build before turn 174 of the game. Why? In 112 BC which is turn 144 i completed Imperium Caesaris, so it will spawn a Legio Caesaris in turn 154, 164 and 174, so i'll get three armies from Imperium Caesaris, before it becomes obsolete with Dictator tech.

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/7157/bild14696bun9.jpg

After having fought alongside roman legions in the war against pontus king Deiotarus decides to put his people under roman protection (in civil war i wasn't able to conduct espionage missions). The galatian soldiers, who are integrated in the roman army form three legions which will be known by the cognomen Deiotariana (i have to admit i have lost count of my losses and recruitments in the last wars, so i didn't know which numbers i had to fill, but i think i'll recount my legions when the Principate is introduced).

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/3200/bild14796cco1.jpg

A futile attempt of the ptolemies to land troops in Libya has been stopped by the roman navy. There shall be no doubt who rules the Mare Mediterraneum.

Year: 94 BC

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/804/bild14894ajj9.jpg

Year: 92 BC

My first Legio Caesaris is spawned. My wars are progressing well and i feel little pressure so i'll wait before loading legions in. As long as i'm not getting under heavy pressure i'll wait until i get Legio Imperatoria.

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/6976/bild14992aja4.jpg

I almost forgot that i planned to make peace with Gallia once i leave the civil war, but no it's time. I definitely need roads.

Year: 90 BC

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/9846/bild15090azc1.jpg

Year: 88 BC

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/4421/bild15188arx7.jpg

In less than a hundred years it will be time for crucification and bible and it can't be to my disadvantage to have time for some preparations (delubrum, templum...) in Jerusalem, so i use some propaganda and purchase it:

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/1779/bild15288bcc4.jpg

Year: 86 BC

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/306/bild15386bbt1.jpg

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/4076/bild15486ckt0.jpg

I have resisted the charm of Cleopatra and forced the last Ptolemies to retreat to Siwah, deep in the desert.

Year: 82 BC

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/4230/bild15582aun3.jpg

The ptolemies have been destroyed, the temple of Ianus can close its gates.

Year: 80 BC

The republic in 80 BC:

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/5861/bild15680aav6.jpg

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/7255/bild15780bsx7.jpg

Until now i have researched every tech in twelve turns. Drama Theory will be the first which takes longer, because i need some more turns until the third Legio Caesaris will be spawned and so don't want to build the Dictator Perpetuus and thus researching Dictator to early (like i already wrote).

Chapter XII: From Republic to Principate and the Conquest of Egyptus

Year: 74 BC

Now i have a third Navis Actuaria.

Year: 72 BC

Now i have a second Legio Caesaris.

Year: 62 BC

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/680/bild15862afb8.jpg

I chose Dictator but have 0 research for some turns until it is time to complete the Dictator Perpetuus.

Year: 60 BC

After a long time of peace we go to war again.

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/7025/bild15960avr8.jpg

Year: 58 BC

I start building Dictator Perpetuus, which will be completed in four turns.

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/3790/bild16060bbn6.jpg

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/3253/bild16158azt5.jpg

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/5476/bild16258bdy5.jpg

Year: 56 BC

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/303/bild16356aob0.jpg

Year: 54 BC

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/299/bild16454ape8.jpg

I forgot to take a shot of Thebae, so you have it here at the left corner.
It took some time before i started the war, but the war itself became a real blitzkrieg due to so little numbers of defenders that i had enough fast troops to bridge the distances.
The Seleucids still have Babylon and i think they shall retain it. maybe it will be good for something to have them there and i'm not really interested in going in that position.

Year: 52 BC

I now have a third Legio Caesaris.

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/8287/bild16552afj1.jpg

In eight years (= four turns) of war have the Seleucids lost Egyptus and may sit in Babylon and dream of ruling the world like Alexander did.
My advisor just told me, we know that the Seleucids betrayed our friends, the Persians. I think that means they must have had a war before.

Year: 50 BC

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/363/bild16650ajy5.jpg

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/9758/bild16750bdn7.jpg

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/7470/bild16850cry6.jpg

Now i'll research Jul.-Claud. and Flavian Dynasties and raise the science rate to 12 turns.

This will bring me into minus because of the coming civil war, but i have some money in the treasury...

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/8723/bild16950dbh6.jpg

Some people say, it is better to stick with triumvirate, because the pricipate would give no incentive for a change, but i'm going to pick principate just because it's the time for it now.

Roma starts construction of Lex Papia Poppaea, which doubles growth of all cities.

Year: 48 BC

I have counted and numbered my legions now :) Rome commands a total of 50 Legions and 38 of them are upgraded to Legio Imperatoria yet.

Pfuiiiii... who is going to stop you!? It is time the Parthian get some (many) SOD! Good luck Germania ;)
EDIT: thanks for creating great Armenia, at least they have now a home, here in your game! Post a SS of it in your next update plz

Pfuiiiii... who is going to stop you!? It is time the Parthian get some (many) SOD! Good luck Germania ;)

The Parthians are my friends ;)

EDIT: thanks for creating great Armenia, at least they have now a home, here in your game! Post a SS of it in your next update plz

Screenshot should be no problem :)

By the way, Armenia sometimes sends out single Triremes into the black sea, which are recklessly ripped apart by the pirates most times. Such a pity :(

An incredible offensive game. You will actually beat the timeline of conquests, if I'm not mistaken. At that rate, if you don't try to conquer Parthia, later on, what will you do ?

Yeah......Loving this story mate.

Makes me feel like playing some CivIII...:)

An incredible offensive game. You will actually beat the timeline of conquests, if I'm not mistaken. At that rate, if you don't try to conquer Parthia, later on, what will you do ?

We will see. I still don't believe i could complete the conquests before 116 AD (I'll have to have a look on how many years a turn is in the first century AD). I have the overall feeling that i'm slowing down and there is much barbarian unroaded terrain left to take.

Yeah......Loving this story mate.

Makes me feel like playing some CivIII...:)

Thank you!


PS: Screenshot of Armenia is taken and will be in the next update :)

Chapter XIII: Final defeat of the gauls and Year of Four Emperors

Year: 46 BC

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/5167/bild17046aih8.jpg

It's time for a little police operation on crete.

Year: 44 BC

http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/4125/bild17144ash5.jpg

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/9827/bild17244byv6.jpg

Ah, Legio Imperatio! Piratae are history, though not every pirate activity as the goths, dacians and numidians have pirate ships, too.

Now we are ready to take on the celts another time:

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/7105/bild17344cwj9.jpg

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/4111/bild17444duj0.jpg

Two defenders, pah! Who do they think i am?

Year: 42 BC

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/5057/bild17542axd0.jpg

http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/4129/bild17642bqj7.jpg

Year: 38 BC

http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/288/bild17738aqo1.jpg

Year: 36 BC

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/8227/bild17836avu7.jpg

Year: 34 BC

http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/1600/bild17934akm4.jpg

Rome has finally taken revenge for 390 BC! No trousers-wearing, smelly barbarian shall ever lay siege to rome again! *cough* I'm so full of hope.

In the south you can see Argentoratum, which is originally gallic, but has been taken by the Transalpinii.

Year: 28 BC

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/5336/bild18028akz8.jpg

Lex Papia Poppaea doubles a cities' growth rate.

Year: 26 BC

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/172/bild18126azm3.jpg

This tech is remarkable for three things: 1. It reforms my support free units: Velites and Hoplitae Alarius are replaced by Miles Auxiliarius and Praesidium is replaced by Cohortes Urbanae. 2. I can build the Persecutiones Christianorum, which will place an immolatio Christianorum in every city which in turn makes citizens unhappy but enables the building of ecclesiae. I will however not begin to persecute Christians before Jesus is borne... 3. The reign of Nero is simulated by the Domus Aurea which has a high maintenance cost. After Nero follows the year of the four emperors which will cause six unhappy citizens all over the empire until the colosseum is completed.
I decide to go through the year of four emperors as soon as possible and switch production in rome to Domus Aurea, which will be completed next turn.

Year: 22 BC

http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/4913/bild18222aip8.jpg

I have to use the luxury slider and entertainers to retain order. Roma immediately starts the Colosseum to end this situation.

Year: 20 BC

As requested, a screenshot of Armenia, trusted friend of rome:

http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/3055/bild18320axd5.jpg

And a picture of the courageous armenian navy, again out on the sea to hunt pirates:

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/7811/bild18420bjc8.jpg

And another map:

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/4822/bild18520czz6.jpg

Is Dacia next or are you going to expand into the English isles?

Is Dacia next or are you going to expand into the English isles?

All i'm saying now, is that i'll change the historical order of expansion, so you can look at a map with progression of roman conquests and you'll know how i'm not doing it ;)

All i'm saying now, is that i'll change the historical order of expansion, so you can look at a map with progression of roman conquests and you'll know how i'm not doing it ;)

Good 'o.....but itd be good to take on dacia sooner rather than later.

They get real nasty with SoD's of those 9/5 things that run over hills and enslave bellatores:eek:.

Chapter XIV: The Dacian War and campaigns along Fluvius Rhenus

Year: 20 BC

I decide to go on my next adventure.

31 Legions and 32 Detachments of Auxiliary Infantry (supported by some artillery and cavalry) deployed in three columns march across the dacian border.

Year: 16 BC

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/6082/bild18616aml9.jpg

http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/9518/bild18716byu2.jpg

http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/7701/bild18816cyf5.jpg

At the moment i'm holding all cities needed for the parts of the byzantine empire victory (Rome - Ravenna - Sirmium - Thessalonica - Ephesus - Sinope - Antiochia - Alexandria - Carthago - Carthago Nova). Of course it's still a long way down the road, but one can hope...

Now i'll take the time to slaughter the dacian army which comes pouring out of the carpathians.

Year: 12 BC

The war weariness finally got me. In combination with the year of four emperors it is hard hit: almost all of my cities go in turmoil, just a handfull retain order.

Year: 10 BC

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/5597/bild18910aft5.jpg

Order is restored througout the empire, i can even set the luxury slider back to 0. The ww obviously is not that bad yet, it's just been the last drop in the last turn. The Domus Aurea, which has been needed to build the Colosseum is an improvement and so can be destroyed. This saves you a lot of money, but, as civilopedia states a true emperor will take on the challenge i will do it, too, and won't destroy the Domus Aurea until Roma may come under exceptional pressure...

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/4171/bild19010bfb7.jpg

Year: 4 BC

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/355/bild1914aoy3.jpg

Year: 2 BC

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/7839/bild1922afn9.jpg

Year: 2 AD

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/6/bild1932aju5.jpg

As i really dislike delay, i will take a risk again and declare war on the germanics. The purpose of this war is to drain the germanic forces, maybe i'll take the three settlements along the rhine, that depends on how the war goes.
Why do i make war with the germanics before fighting the transalpinii? Waiting until i defeated the transalpinii would mean a much longer border to defend. With the border i have now i can concentrate my troops and will not be forced to spread them over dozens of tiles along rhine and alps.
When entering germanic territory, beware of the scythians: they are in a locked alliance.
That is another cause for me to stay in the defence at first.

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/9829/bild1942bqe0.jpg

Year: 10 AD

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/6909/bild19510aea9.jpg

Well, a bit early, but they mixed up the years, anyways.

The crucification of Jesus causes turmoil in the hebrew community and allows me to "build" the bible, which will double the effect of all ecclesiae (from which i have non, yet).

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/7363/bild19610bly6.jpg

Year: 12 AD

http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/6619/bild19712asf2.jpg

Dacia is history.

Year: 18 AD

The stacks which the germanics send over the rhine have grown bigger. I think the largest part of their forces is here or coming in the next few turns.

Year: 20 AD

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/1063/bild19820ajc6.jpg

The Castra Praetoria will regularly spawn praetorian cohorts.

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/9945/bild19920bwv7.jpg

The Persecutiones Christianorum will place an Immulatio Christianorum in every city, which makes people unhappy. However, these will allow me to build ecclesiae which increase happyness, especially after i will have completed the Biblia.

Year: 22 AD

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/9555/bild20022apv1.jpg

I'm starting an attack on the Ubii this year.

Year: 24 AD

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/254/bild20124alr3.jpg

The Ubii bow their neck before the might of rome.

Year: 26 AD

And also the Batavi:

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/343/bild20226amf4.jpg

Year: 28 AD

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/2329/bild20328apw9.jpg

The Biblia doubles the effect of all ecclesiae. It can only be build in Jerusalem once Crux Iesu has been completed.

Year: 32 AD

http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/5407/bild20430anp8.jpg

I have pushed the frontline beyond the fluvius rhenus, which seems to be good to form a natural border defence against the germanics. They sue for peace and i agree to sign a ceasefire with their chieftains.

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/2458/bild20532ary4.jpg

I have to make a note on Chersonesus: When i took it, i thought it could be useful, as there are barbarian goods in the city radius. Well, now i have barbarian goods from Germany and Chersonesus is still far, far away from completing a Portus Mercatorius, which would be needed to ship the barbarian goods to rome. I think i'll make a note in the chapter in which i took it.

I may slow down research a bit. I'm ahead of the timeline and i think i could let history come a bit closer; i'll make some calculations on that, though.

Looking good for a Roman future.....:king:

Awesome update.

Looking good for a Roman future.....:king:

Awesome update.

Extremely good outlook. Just about everyone is getting conquered.

Thank you for reading :)

Chapter XV: The Transalpine Campaign and the Golden Age of Rome

Year: 34 AD

Mediolanum completes the first Thermae. These allow a city to grow to the third size, similar to a hospital in the original game. The Thermae cost five maintenance, so you should be very careful where to build them, especially because you can't sell such improvements and the western parts of the empire will suffer once extensively used land becomes less fertile...

Year: 38 AD

The Seleucids have declared war on the Persians. Probably have a death wish.

Year: 40 AD

The Persians have destroyed the Seleucids.

Year: 50 AD

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/4631/bild20650arx4.jpg

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/140/bild20750bpw1.jpg

Can it be true? All we want is peace and they declare war on us! Barbarians!

My spies had told me that Aventicum is not well defended. Luckily (and absolutely by chance) are three Legiones Caesaris and some Horsemen around:

http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/5926/bild20850czb7.jpg

Year: 52 AD

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/7564/bild20952anu5.jpg

Year: 54 AD

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2456/bild21054aeh9.jpg

http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/4486/bild21154bqr9.jpg

Year: 58 AD

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/7727/bild21258ald5.jpg

The tech Siege Engineering allows construction of three Limes Wonders: The Limes Danuvii, Limes Persidis and Limes Rhaetiae. These autoproduce Munitores, which are good at building fortifications, and will start a golden age.
Sirmium has been well improved since i took it, so it needed only four turns to complete its Limes. The others will take longer, as i haven't connected a city which can produce Limes Rhaetiae (Augusta Vindelicorum will do) and in the east (Damascus, Palmyra or Petra which i don't own) i suffer high corruption.

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/429/bild21358agj0.jpg

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/5259/bild21458cdl2.jpg

Year: 60 AD

http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/1995/bild21560avx8.jpg

Year: 62 AD

Imperium Romanum:

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/3210/bild21662aqv2.jpg

http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/4603/bild21762bcb0.jpg

What's next I wonder?

Nice update anyway:goodjob:

You should be able to stave off those effects of decay later on with the condition your empire is in now....nice work:king:

Chapter XVI: The Conquest of Britannia

Year: 64 AD

I begin to replace my Ballistae with Catapultae. Although the ballista has a bombard frequency of 3 in comparison to 2 of the catapulta, a value difference of 25 to 7 is more important. I have to keep my unit support costs reasonable, so i'll disband the ballistae and use them to push production in newly conquered settlements. The funditores are fast and may be of use in an invasion of britain, but later on i'll get rid of them, too, as a bombard value of 3 is just to little against the enemies of the future (this is no easy decision, but i have convinced myself that it is right).

Year: 72 AD

I'm finally ready to start an attack on Britannia.

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/5392/bild21872ano9.jpg

For naval transportation i'm using four cumbae. I have deployed the largest part of my forces in the southeastern corner of great britain where my culture from Gesoriacum reaches.
After declaration of war i land other troops near Londinium and Isca Dumnorum. Note that i have never declared a war when i had troops in the enemies territory or a right of passage signed. This can help to keep good relations with civs you are not battling right now, in this game the Armenians, Persians and Numidians are yet friendly to me which reduces the risk of an unwanted and unprepared war.
Regarding this i have to note another thing which i have found out by trial (at least i have come to the impression that it works this way). The ai refrains from declaring war when it has profitable deals with you and, at least i think so, it is better to have several deals than one deal with several trades (i hope you understand what i'm trying to say): I'm donating the Parthians several luxuries and resources, each in an own deal, and i always have an eye on the time when these deals run out, so i can reinstall them. In turns i have no deal with the Parthians they will almost inevitably declare war, which is something i'm not willing to bear at the moment (i have used this in some games before and i'm following it now, too).

Ships from the Mediterranean can't enter the Atlantic and so are not able to support an invasion. However, you can found a city near the strait of gibralter, which will enable the fleets to move from the mare mediterraneum, if you want to. I have not done this, as i don't think i'll need more ships here right now.

Year: 74 AD

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/2455/bild21974ane8.jpg

This technology offers me some new units: The Eques Legionarius i a much better cavalry unit compared to the Eques, as the importance of Cavalry in the roman army increased with the run of time. The Sagittarius Auxiliarius is a mixed range and close combat unit with a high bombardment frequency. Usually i'm using mostly artillery because if the higher bombardment value, but the archers can be useful against low defence troops, they cost support, though.
The Cohortes Imperatoriae are another unbuildable unit, which will form the high end of your army until the end of the game, as they are incredibly tough and will cut through most of your opponents with ease. There can be obtained by upgrading Cohortes Praetorianae, which are spawned by the Castra Praetoria, and your army units. Especially the armies with old legions (in my game the legiones consularis and the legio scipiones which have the original Legio) should be upgraded immediately. Even armies with Legio Imperatoria are not able to equal the Cohortes Imperatoriae in fighting skill. Some advantages are left, though, as they can be transported by ships (the Cohortes Imperatoriae can only use great harbours), they can blitz and have a movement bonus on hills and forests, as the Legio Caesaris.

I'm researching Philosopy & Poetry next, because Philosopher on the throne renders Imperium Traiani obsolete and i want to take benefit from it some more time.

I switch to the internal advisor, enter Roma and change production, so the Imperium Traiani will be finished immediately.

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/6937/bild22074bst6.jpg

Imperium Traiani spawns a Legio Traiani every seven turns until made obsolete by Philosopher on the Throne. I have finished it in turn 237, so it can spawn in turns 244, 251, 258. I could hold back research for some turns, so it can spawn another one in turn 265, but i'll have to think about it, later.

Funditores prepare the assaults on Londinium and Isca Dumnorum and the landed Legions finish it.

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/7182/bild22174cut0.jpg

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/2207/bild22274dyh3.jpg

The enemy will strike back soon:

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/7638/bild22374eva9.jpg

But it's still my turn (i spared some funditores):

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/1594/bild22474fcn9.jpg

Year: 76 AD

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/5343/bild22576axk7.jpg

The Forum Traiani places a forum in every city on the continent and costs 20 maintenance.

Boudicca has destroyed a Legion in her turn, but is now defeated by a Legio Caesaris.

Year: 78 AD

http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/6925/bild22678ahb3.jpg

The Limes Persidis has finally been finished and will supply the parthian border with Munitores. At the moment four Legions and about thirty units of Servi are working here on fortifications. This part of the Limes is the most complete until now.
In this same turn the Limes Danuvii produced a Munitor, which is my first. These units excel at building forts and barricades.

Year: 80 AD

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/6065/bild22780aqi9.jpg

In the north there seem to be no enemy ships yet, so i can use my cumbae to fasten my supply lines.

Year: 82 AD

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/5058/bild22882act8.jpg

Year: 86 AD

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/9472/bild22986awm2.jpg

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/4471/bild23086bqa4.jpg

Year: 88 AD

The first Legio Traiani is spawned in Roma. This army does not have the hit point penalty of the Legio Scipionis and Legio Caesaris, but it will not reach the fighting capabilities of Cohortes Imperatoriae, so if you've got enough money you should upgrade them immediately.

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/8969/bild23188aby3.jpg

Now it is time to finish some business in the east:

http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/4369/bild23288biz5.jpg

I'm not sure why exactly i have waiting that long, could have done this earlier.

In Britannia remain no cities which i can take, so i give peace to the british tribes:

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/9139/bild23388cpy4.jpg

Once it has a great port to connect it with the continent, Britannia will supply the empire with britannian goods, which means i have access to every luxury in game.

Imperium Romanum in 88 AD:

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/1963/bild23488dbd5.jpg

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/7378/bild23588eur2.jpg

Incredible pace!! Fantastic!! Unbelievable. :crazyeye: Congrats.
I'm curious how will do in the later stages of your game. ;)

Incredible pace!! Fantastic!! Unbelievable. :crazyeye: Congrats.
I'm curious how will do in the later stages of your game. ;)

Thank you!
Regarding the later part of the game my experience is limited, because i usually stopped when the waiting times rapidly grow longer due to the massive unit spawning, but i'll try to hang on this time.

Thank you!
Regarding the later part of the game my experience is limited, because i usually stopped when the waiting times rapidly grow longer due to the massive unit spawning, but i'll try to hang on this time.

Oh, I know.
Read a book meanwhile. :lol:

Chapter XVII: A belated Jugurthine War

Year: 96 AD

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/3756/bild23696atu8.jpg

Year: 98 AD

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/7485/bild23798ama6.jpg

The Golden Age has ended and it is kind of a sign, as all wars i will fight from now on will mostly serve the purpose to conserve not to expand, although i'm still planning to take some additional settlements.

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/1887/bild23898buq4.jpg

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/4053/bild23998cko1.jpg

Opus Ovidii makes one citizen happy in every continental city.

Year: 100 AD

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/544/bild240100aqg3.jpg

The Libri Virgilii will reduce war weariness throughout the empire.

Turn 250 is reached, which means half of the game is over.

Year: 103 AD (now one turn equals three years)

My economical situation:

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/536/bild241103alx1.jpg

Year: 118 AD

It is time to start a war of attrition against the Numidians. I infuriate them by demanding a city and they are willing to start the conflict:

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/4027/bild242118akn2.jpg

Year: 121 AD

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/1875/bild243121acj7.jpg

The numidian cavalry enters roman territory and gets under catapult fire.

Year: 130 AD

After the enemy cavalry has been crushed, roman legions advance:

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/3954/bild244130auj2.jpg

Year: 133 AD

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/5500/bild246133ait4.jpg

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/2576/bild246133bdo4.jpg

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/9485/bild247133ceo9.jpg

Now i have taken all numidian cities to which my units have access to. This means i have to wait and kill eventually coming units until Numidia will sign a ceasefire.

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/6926/bild248133dzb5.jpg

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/2533/bild249133ego8.jpg

Clap clap clap! Great update! :goodjob::king::goodjob::king:

We can see that you are a as ahead as can be concerning the date / tech researched. I am however surprised to see your treasury, which is a little low. Do you remember how much gpt you were making during your golden age ? Also, what is your building strategy for cities ? What do you build in priority ? I'm asking because as you know I am working on a patch and guidelines are always welcomed. Also, very importantly, when you get at 225ad, don't forget to tell us about the economical effects on your gpt. Thanks and may Jupiter protect the Imperium !

Clap clap clap! Great update! :goodjob::king::goodjob::king:

Thank you, i appreciate that :goodjob:

We can see that you are a as ahead as can be concerning the date / tech researched. I am however surprised to see your treasury, which is a little low. Do you remember how much gpt you were making during your golden age ? Also, what is your building strategy for cities ? What do you build in priority ? I'm asking because as you know I am working on a patch and guidelines are always welcomed. Also, very importantly, when you get at 225ad, don't forget to tell us about the economical effects on your gpt. Thanks and may Jupiter protect the Imperium !

Well, economic buildings are certainly on priority and regarding the core cities i practically have all buildings. I have spend some thousands on buildings but i don't think more than 10k, on the other hand i have upgraded my units as soon as possible (and all of them, except free ones that upgarde to paid units), but i'm not aware of any cause that could be responsible for beeing far back in regard of treasury, though i'm not micromanaging much. I'd be interested to see how others go with unmodded biqs in this regard.
As i said in the main thread i'll regularly integrate economic figures in future updates, the next is already in process.
However, i can't guarantee new chapters will follow soon, as i have several other things to do, which have priority, but i don't think you'll have to wait more than one or two weeks, maybe with some exceptions.

Chapter XVIII: Persian Succession

Year: 136 AD

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/4891/bild250136azf3.jpg

Vallum Hadriani increases the city's defense by 100 %, acts as a stealth attack barrier and reduces corruption in britannia.

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/7430/bild251136bmd5.jpg

The short war with Numidia comes to an end. There is nothing left which is worth fighting for.

Year: 163 AD

Another war of attrition is at hand, this time against Parthia and not to early. Around 175 AD they will discover stronger units which make them a lot more dangerous. I'm a bit sad about starting this war, because they were polite and by trading with them i can reduce the risk of an attack, but i have to face the truth that war against the overlords of Persia is inevitable.

I declare war and wait for the things to come.

Year: 166 AD

The economical situation of the Empire, one turn before the Folly of Commodus:

http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/365/bild252166aic5.jpg

The Parthians are fielding an impressive force. This about fifty horsemen are only the spearhead.

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/9945/bild253166bre3.jpg

Year: 169 AD

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/1056/bild254169aiz0.jpg

By the way, there are now 136 persian units in my sight. Smells like serious trouble, it's time to open hostilities now. After i finished my turn the Parthians are down by 24 units and 13 redlined, which means a quarter is out of combat for now. The Cohortes Imperatoriae are not touched, as they shall form the defence of my cities. The Limes has been emptied for now, as i don't have enough "material" to fill it efficiently against this horde.

Year: 172 AD

The Persians seem to be hesitant to attack the fortified Cohortes Imperatoriae, so for now i remain the only attacker. I estimate about 70 units in fighting condition left, sadly many of his fast units have escaped from my legions. It would have been a good move to take more cavalry with me, than i have done.

Year: 175 AD

The Persian Front before my move:

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/5193/bild255175atk0.jpg

Year: 177 AD (now two one turn equals two years)

The invasion army has been reduced to a stack of 25 horse archers (the old 7.3.2-type), without any serious attacks from the Persians, who obviously have a lot of respect before the cohortes imperatoriae. Still, a lot of them have escaped and will come back when refreshed.

Year: 179 AD

No persian units on roman territory (heavy reloading involved, especially for my 3-movement-blitz-numidians).

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/5433/bild256179adl1.jpg

In Babylon you can see a Praesidium Sassanidum (8.6.2) which is one of the new persian units that mark the transition from parthian to sassanid rule and which will serve as the new persian standard defender. The new attacker, the Clibanarius with 14 attack, a two hit point bonus and a movement of 3 has a punch...

Year: 183 AD

http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/9200/bild257183aus3.jpg

The Migratio Magna spawns new and improved Praedatores, which will conduct raids into roman dacia.

The units which had succesfully retreated after the first battles come back over the Euphrate. With less many units they will not last as long.
Something which can be useful to know when fighting along rivers: The other civs don't have the construction tech and thus are not able to cross rivers without loss of the whole movement point.

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/5584/bild258183bea3.jpg

None of them survived. I'll now wait another turn to see if others show up, otherwise i'll offer peace. I thought about conquering Mesopotamia, but as the Sassanids have taken control it could become a bloody job once some clibanarii show up, so i chose the safer road.

Year: 185 AD

The Persians sue for peace, so i'll show mercy.

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/3064/bild259185anl2.jpg

An overview of the Roman Empire after the war that caused the Parthians to lose control over Persia to the Sassanids *cough* :

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/7562/bild260185bby6.jpg

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/2677/bild261185cjo7.jpg

http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/8819/bild262185dgw5.jpg

You can see the peak of power is crossed. I fear the Animus Barbarorum is growing in distant lands...

Yes!:goodjob:

This is getting very interesting for me...cant wait til the next update!:crazyeye:

Yes!:goodjob:

This is getting very interesting for me...cant wait til the next update!:crazyeye:

The near future will probably not be sooo interesting...

The near future will probably not be sooo interesting...

Doesnt bother me im really enjoying this...only bad thing is updates will probably be less common because of turn times:(

I dont know about you but RFRE runs really slow late game on my computer.

Doesnt bother me im really enjoying this...only bad thing is updates will probably be less common because of turn times:(

I dont know about you but RFRE runs really slow late game on my computer.

Yes, i know that, at the moment it has not yet considerably increased, but i just don't have much time to play.

Yes, i know that, at the moment it has not yet considerably increased, but i just don't have much time to play.

Youve been gone a while, just wondering if youre going to update this?:mischief:

Youve been gone a while, just wondering if youre going to update this?:mischief:

I'm sorry for being silent for such a long time. I put it aside due to time management problems and finally... forgot...
But i promise that this is not dead yet and i'll be working on another chapter, soon.
So, until then, i suppose.

Chapter XIX: Crisis of the third Century

Year: 193 AD

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/1953/pic263193aqb6.jpg

One turn until discovery of Severan Dynasty is left. Although the real crisis is yet to come, my cash flow will go down considerably: This tech allows me to build the Legio Mercennaria, a Legion that doesn't cost upkeep. You should build as many of them as you can, because soon you won't be able any longer to build a comparably strong unit without upkeep cost. Training a lot of legions of course means that the population of the empire will go down (which in turn lowers my income).
In comparison to the Legio Imperatoria has the Legio Mercennaria two less hitpoints, a lower offensive and a higher defensive value. This represents the change of the infantry's role in battle, as offensive actions were more and more carried out by cavalry.
Legions from now on do not enslave Servi any longer, but Foederati, who can be upgraded to Miles Alarius Germanicus or Eques Alarius Germanicus once Diocletian's Reform is discovered.

Another important issue of this tech is the Constitutio Antoniana. This great wonder will create a Municipium in every city of the empire and thus making it possible to grant full citizenship in short time. The Constitutio Antoniana can only be constructed in a civil war, but in comparison to the Lex Agraria it becomes obsolete after a long time has past, in 475 AD. This means that you can use its effect in (probably) every civil war still to come in your game.
This in turn means that you don't have to start a civil war now, but can wait until you have to do for a change of gouvernment. This is, of course, an exploit and i'm really ashamed - especially because i have avoided several other ones - , but *cough* i'll use it anyways *cough*

Year: 195 AD

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/9081/pic264195apx8.jpg

Year: 199 AD

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/4579/pic265199awo8.jpg

The Thermae Caracallae make two people in Roma happy, add culture and reduce the risk of slave unrest at a maintenance cost of 10.
The Thermae Caracallae need eight existing Thermae in order to be build. To have eight Thermae should not be a great problem at this point of the game, although you have to be careful where you build one, as they are expensive and cannot be destroyed. This can be especially a problem after the crisis of the third century is discovered and overused land reduces the amount of food that can be grown in the western half of the empire.
Eight cities that are a safe bet to pay off are Roma, Mediolanum, Massilia, Carthago, Utica, Alexandria, Pergamum and Byzantium, partly depending on how you distribute the tiles.

Year: 219 AD

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/3486/pic266219aes8.jpg

The Crisis of the Third Century is at hand and will put the stability of the empire under a test. Discovery of the tech makes the resource "overused land" available, which reduces the value of a large amount of tiles especially in the western half of the empire. In addition i will have to build the great wonder of the same name as the tech, which will make a lot of citizens unhappy throughout the empire. Luckily i'm not at war and won't suffer from war weariness in addition.
Some years in the future i will discover the 175 AD - 225 AD tech. This renders the Forum, Emporium, Latifundia and the Praetor wonder obsolete. All together i will lose a lot of money in the attempt to maintain order.

This is how i will proceed to reduce the negative effects of the crisis to a minimum:
In this turn (219 AD) i will start a prebuild for the Crisis-wonder in Roma. Once i discover the tech i'll change to the wonder, which needs 100 shields. With my 44 shields that i produce in Roma at the moment the wonder takes three turns and will be completed in 225 AD.
Once completed, i change construction to Cohortes Imperatoriae, which needs 400 shields and thus is an ideal prebuild for Opus Imperator-Soldati, a wonder that will be discovered with the tech Soldier-Emperors and helps against the effects of the crisis.
Once i achieved discovery of Soldier-Emperors in 12 turns, i change to F1 screen after choosing the next tech and change construction in Roma to Opus Imperator-Soldati, that will be completed in the same turn, 245 AD, thus reducing the unhappyness problems to a minimum.

Year: 221 AD

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/6382/pic267221aae5.jpg

http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/387/pic268221bfx7.jpg

The first stage of the crisis:
Affected by Overused land are Hispania (with exception of the eastern coast), Gallia, Britannia, Mauretania, southern Italia and Sicilia (around Panormus).
Of course there is no overused land where other resources are and not on hills and mountains.

Year: 223 AD

The Sassanids have declared war on the Armenians. Sadly there is not much that i can do for them, right now.

Year: 225 AD

http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/5518/pic269225alu0.jpg

The second stage of the crisis (Well, in fact i had expected more of an effect):

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/7345/pic270225bjr4.jpg

The Persians have taken Nisibis from the Armenians. They seem to be well recovered. I should have left more troops in Mesopotamia, so that i could help the Armenians, but i didn't thought it would be necessary at the time. Ah, well. Mistakes are to learn from. Hopefully won't the Persians become to strong.

I decide to bribe Amida from the Armenians. I may give it back later, if they survive, but for now it should prevent the Persians from taking it, slowing down their advance without getting me involved in the hostilities.

Year: 229 AD

http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/9599/pic271229aig7.jpg

This wonder spawns the sassanid siege engineers, highly dangerous units (as if the clibanarii were not enough...).

In the meantime i got the 225 AD advance, so several of my income generating buildings are obsolete. This is how my economy now looks in the third stage of the crisis:

http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/8602/pic272229bvc8.jpg

You can see that "from cities" has decreased from 5327 in 193 AD to 3479 in 229 AD. This hurts, but won't get me broke.

Year: 231 AD

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/9673/pic273231aua0.jpg

The Castra Roxolani spawns Roxolani, who are a hidden nationality unit with very high offense. They will raid Dacia and make holding it increasingly difficult.
It is almost impossible to defeat this unit by defending, so i advice to give them something cheap to destroy before striking back.

In this same turn i have made acquaintance with the Praedator Pictus, a fast and dangerous hidden nationality unit with a massive hitpoint bonus. This reminds me of sending some more troops and artillery to Britannia.

Year: 239 AD

The Persian advance from south has stopped after i bribed Amida and they lead their troops around to attack from east. I'm now trying to help by blocking and opening passes.
In the persian stacks which are in sight are 16 Clibanarii (14(6).5.3).

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/6505/pic274239aom8.jpg

Year: 245 AD

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/5425/pic275245abd3.jpg

I go to the internal advisor, enter Roma and change my prebuild cohortes imperatoriae, just like i have explained before:

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/659/pic276245boo9.jpg

The Opus Imperator-Soldati doubles the defense of all cities in the empire, spawns a Legio Mercennaria every 8 turns and makes seven citizens happy throughout the empire, thus partly negating the unhappyness from the crisis.