Ah, yes the Zulu who have been added for the exact same reason that Haiti would be- their opposition to whites. Just like the first Native American above Mexico who were added to Civ, the Sioux, who beat white people a couple of times.
Since white man invaded all world, all nations will have some opposition to whites.
But Shaka, despite wasn't the best choice to be the 1st civ, is a good choice to still at the game.
As far I know, who defeat the British in Isandlwana was Cetshwayo, not Shaka Zulu.
Shaka make his name without any conflict against white people.
Haiti suffers from the exact same issue, they would be only added for their opposition to white people instead of their own successful Civilization.
Okay, Haiti had their conflict against white people. But they have way more then that to be a civ.
First their revolution (what was the conflict against white people)
But also have uniques religion and language, what can used by game purpose.
The word is that they PROCLAIMED. Not that they were. And you are taking away Russia, France, Germany, and the Ottomans.
The Byzantines are a continuation after the main empire fell, as quoted by historian Chris Harman "a living fossil". Since the MAIN Roman Empire had fell, the Byzantines were kind of successors, trying to keep their culture alive as well as blending Greek culture with it after Heraclitus. Justinian may be considered Roman though.
If the mechanic I suggested become real, will make way more sense to have Byzantium!
First we should start with Rome, maybe Romulus, the first king.
And then we need to choice between the Charle Magne of the Frankish kingdom or Justinian of Byzantine empire.
If you choice the Frankish kingdom, it can lead you to become Austria (!) (Because they were the sucessor of the Holly Roman Empire)
If you choice the Byzantine, it can lead you to become the Ottomans (Because they conquer the Constantinopla)
On the end, should be nice if we can finish as an Italian republic lead by Garibaldi, or even Russia (who proclaime be Rome because follow the Constantinopla branch of the religion).
Rome is so full of option on this mechanic, I rly think it should be very fun to play with.
race is a social construct
On that we can agree.
A Black man on the age of discoveries didn't know he is black.
That is the why don't make any sense when someone says, at the slavery times, "Blacks capture other blacks to slavery"
Because they, at the time, didn't know they are black.