Beauty Contest

[OmniPotent42]

Theodora, by far. I mean, she's laying on a bed, giving you a perfect view of her assets.
Cathy is a close second. I'm honestly confused at how well Boudicca is doing in the poll....

 

[HeraldtheGreat]

Anyone remember Boudicca from CivIV?

 

[liltrogdor]

I voted Cathy She's in almost every game I play for some reason and I think she is the strongest civ for me because I always don't have a strategic resource.

 

[DuseCutter]

Theodora, by far. I mean, she's laying on a bed, giving you a perfect view of her assets.
Cathy is a close second. I'm honestly confused at how well Boudicca is doing in the poll....

Agreed on all counts.

Boudicca, while I have a penchant for redheads, is too flat.

 

[nunor]

Anyone remember Boudicca from CivIV?

Not the biggest improvement... (and I'm not even referring to her diminished bosom)

 

[HerrDoktor]

I miss Isabella being played by Angelina Jolie as well:

 

[Rathelon]

That's not Angelina. It's Carly Simon.

 

[HerrDoktor]

That's not Angelina. It's Carly Simon.

I also thought of Liv Tyler.

 

[fuzzatron717]

Theodora of Byzantium Cathriene of Russia Isabella of Spain and Dido Carthage you are all so beautiful to me. Its kind of scary cause if I were to list them in order of beauty they would be exactly as it is on the poll making Theodora top apple.

 

[Danielion]

Angry Isabella of Civ 4 is indeed an old time favourite as well.

 

[otaman1]

I think if Firaxis made Maria Theresa younger, then more people'll vote for her but she's like a nana to me

 

[HerrDoktor]

I think if Firaxis made Maria Theresa younger, then more people'll vote for her but she's like a nana to me

Still somewhat homely:

 

[VainoValkea]

Nah, I think she's pretty. That nose seems a bit off, but otherwise looks cute!

Assuming "cute" is a word that fits such a potent monarch.

 

[mike1117112]

I had to go with Dido. She is in most of my games. Heck I've destroyed entire continents to win favor from her. I shower her with Pearls and Fur, give her money, give her cities, deliver Alexander's head on a platter. She has but to ask, and I'd nuke Gandhi himself for her. She actually is a pretty reliable ally once you prove to her that you are indeed her fool.
But high marks for Wu and Izzy. I think Cathy got over-caricatured in this game, Theo just doesn't do it for me. Although, on a late night, in the right light, Bouddy can get my sword swinging. Something about a warrior gal.....

 

[HerrDoktor]

About the historical accuracy of Catherine's ample tracts of land:

 

[Dogmouth]

Not the biggest improvement... (and I'm not even referring to her diminished bosom)

Boudica in Civ 4 had really unnatural looking features. She looked like a plastic surgery mess. Frankly, the same is true for Isabella in Civ 4. The male and female models of CiV are a generally a massive improvement in terms of realism. Anyway, CiV Boudica reminds me of Rose Leslie in Game of Thrones -- a little bit on the scrawny side, but still hot and fiery.

But perhaps my tastes are unique. As I’ve said before, Cathy in CiV epitomizes the uncanny valley as far as I’m concerned, but she’s still a crowd pleaser here.

HerrDoktor, pretty much all European monarchs of that era look weird in their portraiture. Maybe it was the style of the day, or maybe inbred European monarchy wasn’t that hot in general.

Edit: Actually, Cathy looks pretty good in that portrait.

 

[HerrDoktor]

HerrDoktor, pretty much all European monarchs of that era look weird in their portraiture. Maybe it was the style of the day, or maybe inbred European monarchy wasn’t that hot in general.

Edit: Actually, Cathy looks pretty good in that portrait.

Sure, monarchs weren't chosen based on good looks - and they still aren't (cough cough Prince Charles). Catherine and Theodora were exceptions, their beauty was noted by their contemporaries. Theodora was actually an actress who married emperor Justinian, so no inbreeding there.

Spain and Portugal were particularly famous for housing the ugliest royal families in Europe. This picture from Goya shows Spanish monarchs, including the daughter-in-law of Maria I (third from the right), grandmother of Pedro of Brazil. The fact that they exchanged brides and grooms frequently up to the 19th century didn't help.

By the 19th century, they started importing mates from Austria. Here's a picture of Pedro's mom, part of the "genetic improvement program":

Note: seriously, thought, marriages to Austrians was about building relationships to the Habsburg Monarchy (the U.A. of Maria Theresa), not trying to get prettier. It helped, though.

 

[Dogmouth]

The Austrian "genetic improvement program" didn't always work out that well.

Behold, Charles II of the Spanish branch of House Habsburg.

 

[HerrDoktor]

The Austrian "genetic improvement program" didn't always work out that well.

Behold, Charles II of the Spanish branch of House Habsburg.

 

[DeutschDachs]

Isabella for sure... Like the good girls

Theodora is pretty too... But seems too easy. Need a challenge. Catherine was my favorite of Civ IV but i think she's horrible in V... Maybe that's more on the dress