Ancient Golden Age Alt History Brainstorming Thread

[steampunk1880]

I don't think the tech Antikythera mechanism is a good idea. The mechanism in question is just one example of the thing, like calling the automobile tech "Ford Model T" Rather there could be a tech called Mechanical Astronomical Calculators and Antikythera Mechanism could be a wonder in that tech. The problem is, scientists no longer believe it was a navigation tool leaving me to wonder what, precisely, the tech and wonder would even do. It might have been just a fancy Metonic calendar.

in any case, what do you think about it requiring machinery at the very least.

and also possibly an ancient golden age equivalent to astronomy arrived at early on in the tech line (instead of at the very tail end of the age like with the middle ages tech line)

 

[rightfuture]

I think the Antikythera mechanism is a great idea!
It is an invention as important as the wheel and the lightbulb.
It could have inspired a technical revolution.
And the consensus is that it is an astronomical computer, use to calculate important celestial events.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=antikythera-mechanism-eclipse-olympics
http://www.antikythera-mechanism.gr/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLPVCJjTNgk
The significance of this device is incredible and could have changed history.
Please look at the material if you think it isn't compelling.
Alternate timelines are all about WhatIf scenarios.
What if this technology was commonly adopted at the time it was made?
It could have changed history.

 

[steampunk1880]

To reiterate: the mechanism itself is a single surviving example of the technological knowledge required to create it. Not the technology itself. I do not think it was as awesome as the wheel and lightbulb because the recovery of one surviving example of the mechanism suggests that either we were really really lucky to find the only one ever made (and therefore were not popular enough to start a revolution), or that there were thousands of them made and we found one of them (and despite the fact that there were a whole bunch of them they didn't have the effect of radically transforming ancient society).

Either way, the mechanism, while a marvel of ancient engineering, was a glorified calendar for the calculation of eclipses or a tool for astronomers. The researchers agree that for navigation it was pretty useless since it would rust solid in the sea air in the space of several months to a year begging the question: What would a tech, whatever it's called, symbolizing the mass creation of such a device do in the context of playing a game of civilization? Would it have buildings that enhance science? Would it lead to or from some form of ancient astronomy? What would it do that would make you want to research it in your game of C2C.

 

[rightfuture]

I'm just arguing that it could have accelerated the adopting of calculating technology a lot sooner, and that could have had notable implications.

The lightbulb was just a glorified 'lamp' and when applied properly, had a pretty noticeable affect on history.

If you don't like the idea, no big deal. Just speculating on ideas. I'm bringing it up because I thought it was potentially interesting and that other people might like it.
I thought it was a decent argument; I will back off from it.

 

[steampunk1880]

Sorry if i come off as pushy, I'm just grilling you to put forward an idea about what kind of stuff it would do in the context of a civilization 4 game. It's good that you have ideas about stuff to put in to the various ages but its disappointing when there isn't any substance (meaning stuff like stats and ideas on how it would fit into the age, where it might lead) to these suggestions. Just throwing names out doesn't start a discussion. I think that mechanical calendars (with the antykythera mechanism as a shining example of one) would be a pretty good idea for an ancient golden age tech as an example of leaping ahead of the middle ages when it comes to astronomy. I just don't know what precisely it (the tech and the building or wonder) should do.

 

[Hydromancerx]

@steampunk1880

No offense but just because you add all these ideas to the beginning of your threads doesn't mean any of it will be made. All this alternative timelines stuff is going to have to wait a long time before its made and by then much of mod could change.

Please don't get your hopes up so much. Its not that there is anything wrong with your ideas, its just they are not urgent to the game. For instance the whole flammability stuff I posted back in January 2010. It took until recently for it to be made.

It also helps to learn how to mod yourself. I learned the hard way that begging for mods it not going to get you anywhere. You have to do it yourself and help contribute if you want anything done. If people help out with your ideas then that's a bonus.

I suggest you read over the thread where Afforess went step by step with me teaching me how to mod. If I can learn how to do it then you can. You can read it here.

If you have any questions let me know.

I expect you to be able to make a Building before you post any more alternative timeline idea.

EDIT: In fact you should pick a building you want to make and then use the tutorial to build it. That way you are more interested in the building you are creating and you accomplished one of your requests.

 

[steampunk1880]

I'll get started on that right away, not a golden age thing though. I'm thinking Municipal Computing Engine.

 

[Hydromancerx]

I'll get started on that right away, not a golden age thing though. I'm thinking Municipal Computing Engine.

Whatever interests you. Its much easier to learn something if the end goal is something you really want to make.

 

[Hydromancerx]

 

[Yid]

Okay, I've got a name for the Ancient Alternate Time line: Atlantis.

According to Platons myths it was a sea power, so we could give it a ship that can travel across the ocean (but not the new deep ocean).


Unit Name - Sextireme (Sea Unit)
Requires: Seafaring
Stats: 6, 3. National Unit, Limit 15, no cargo space, -50% against animal units.
Civilopedia: The Sextireme is a unique ship of ancient Atlantis.
Notes: The Sextireme can travel through ocean but not deep ocean.

Building: Orichalcum Smith
Requires: copper, gold. Tech: Copper Working.
Effects: Production +100% for Hero Units.
Civilopedia: According to Critias, orichalcum was considered second only to gold in value, and was found and mined in many parts of Atlantis in ancient times. in Vergil's Aeneid it was mentioned that the breastplate of Turnus was "stiff with gold and white orachalc".
Notes:

 

[mcookie83]

Okay, I've got a name for the Ancient Alternate Time line: Atlantis.

According to Platons myths it was a sea power, so we could give it a ship that can travel across the ocean (but not the new deep ocean).


Unit Name - Sextireme (Sea Unit)
Requires: Seafaring
Stats: 6, 3. National Unit, Limit 15, no cargo space, -50% against animal units.
Civilopedia: The Sextireme is a unique ship of ancient Atlantis.
Notes: The Sextireme can travel through ocean but not deep ocean.

Building: Orichalcum Smith
Requires: copper, gold. Tech: Copper Working.
Effects: Production +100% for Hero Units.
Civilopedia: According to Critias, orichalcum was considered second only to gold in value, and was found and mined in many parts of Atlantis in ancient times. in Vergil's Aeneid it was mentioned that the breastplate of Turnus was "stiff with gold and white orachalc".
Notes:

Kaboom! I like!

(Sorry... too much coffe and to less sleep! )

 

[Hydromancerx]

 

[Azurian]

Sandalpunk. This term, coined by the GURPS roleplaying game Steampunk, denotes an ancient civilization, often the Romans or some other Iron Age civilization, never collapses—with scientific advancement (based on such technologies as the Antikythera mechanism) continuint at a rate relative to later modern civilizations. Sandalpunk has also been called “Classicpunk” or “Ironpunk.”

Sandal punk is a subgenre of the Steam Punk science fiction category. It focuses on the classical period or the ancient world before the Middle Ages, usually Ancient Rome, or Ancient Greece, or both, sometimes with hints of The Trojan War.

The "sandalpunk" sub-genre posits a world in which ancient civilization never collapsed into the Dark Ages and instead saw rapid technological advancement after a few key discoveries are made or developed into industrial technologies, such as Hero of Alexandria's steam engine, built around 130 BC. One such example is Inne piesni (Other Songs) by Jacek Dukaj.

GURPS Steampunk also introduced several other variations on the steampunk theme, including "timepunk" (a general term covering any historical variation on steampunk), "bronzepunk" (steampunk set in the Bronze Age), and "stonepunk" (steampunk set in the Stone Age).

In between the historical and fantasy sub-genres of steampunk is a type which takes place in a hypothetical future or a fantasy equivalent of our future where some variety of steampunk-style technology and aesthetics dominate. Examples include the Neotopia comic and even Disney's Treasure Planet film. This could also be considered a type of Retro-futurism.

Sandalpunk
(x30, y13)
Requires City Planning AND Construction AND Literature

Films
Atlantis, the Lost Continent (1961)
Conan the Barbarian (1982)
Krull (1983)
Cave Dwellers (1984)
Conan the Destroyer (1984)
Red Sonja (1985)
Masters of the Universe (1987)
The Princess Bride (1987)
Willow (1988)
The Scorpion King (2002)

http://walakanet.wordpress.com/jet-city/

Sandalpunk weapons
http://walakanet.wordpress.com/weapon-details/

 

[Azurian]

Pandora's Box (can be a box full of poisonpowder catapulted to enemy)
Medusa Mirror Shield (really shiny shield that blinds melee enemies)
Mirror Tower (uses optics and sunlight to create laser to burn ship sails)