Bulgarians should be included in CIVILIZATION 5
I have posted a topic about this already (just 1min ago) but in a different section of the forum. Now, I will give you answers to the questions above.
"My criteria were as follows:
1. Did the Civ in question make major contributions to human society (cultural, religious, architectural, military, etc.)?
2. Was the Civ in question independent for at least part of its history? Are they different enough from previously included Civs?
3. Can a definitive leader, city list and unique unit be chosen for the Civ?
4. As a tie-breaker to weed out possible candidates, I also made the following considerations: How famous is the Civ in the western world? Would western Civ-gamers want to play this civ? Is the civ from an as yet unrepresented region? What would it add to the game?"
1 YES! Cultural: 1) Bulgarian folklore singing: If you have studied music theory, you shall understand terms like 7/8, two-voice songs, etc.
2) The Cyrilic alphabet was created in Bulgaria by Cyril and his brother Methodius who had the full support and protection of the Bulgarian tzar Boris I (who also helped their exiled students later) After that many important Christian books were written in Bulgaria.
3) Architecture - I should create a new post for this, with pictures
4) Military - Bulgaria had a ruler who prepared 10 000 ox carts with siege machines to take over Constantinople /he died before the army was under Constantinople walls/ In the modern age--> the first to use aircrafts to scout an enemy city and throw explosives from an airplane are Bulgarians in the war against Turkey (191)
5/ Bulgaria always had good generals /and tactics/ and I can tell you about many battles which are won vs.enemies who outnumber the Bulgarians
2. We are different enough because Bulgaria combined different ethnical groups since the very beginning but had one rule and one purpose /when being out of a crisis period of course/ and also because our culture is unique. We had times of greatness and unfortunately long periods of submission under a foreign authority. However, Bulgaria still exists today and remembers its ups and downs. Surviving 5 centuries despite the cruel rule of the Ottoman Empire and preserving Christianity and our language IS A MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT.
Another thing before I forget: we saved the Jews during Hitler's dominance in Bulgaria He wanted Bulgaria to deport them to his camps but it didnt happen.
3. Leaders--easy one! Leaders that should be selected depend on what period you have in mind. Early pagan Bulgaria- Khan Asparuh or Khan Krum or Tervel (saved Constantinople from the Arabs)
The great medieval times for us: Simeon I (ask the poor sweet Byzantines during his time about what he did)
The leader who saved Bulgaria from Byzantium at a time when all seemed impossible: Ivan Assen II
Much later, after gaining freedom from Turkey: several options, let me include Alexander Batenberg
I dont want to spam more detalis and do not write any dates here.
4 WESTERN PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW OF OUR LONG (since 680 AD) and let me say INTERESTING HISTORY. WE ARE NOT Famous. This is due to the fact that nowadays we are just nobody in the E U and our economy is nothing compared to top 10 of the world leading states. However, Civilization is not game covering only the period 1900-2050, so our present status is not a reason not to be included in the game