DoW mechanics

[dimatud]

Hi there civ players!

Starting a new thread here because I'm a bit lost with one of my games and I don't remember reading or watching anything that can help me with this certain situation.

So I'm playing the 18 civ world map scenario:
Deity
No huts/events
playing France/Louis

Trying for a culture win, everything's going pretty good until the point where Rome declared on me totally unexpected.
So here goes:
1. I don't remember the exact turn but 30-40 turns before he attacked he was plotting. I didn't knew he was actually at war with Hatty (no contact at that point with Hatty so I thought he was plotting on me)
2. I bribed Genghis to attack Rome next turn after I realized he was in war-mode
3. After a while he sneak attacks me while still being at war with Hatty/Mansa/Genghis
4. No AP religion in his cities

Anybody that understands the Dow mechanics please tell me what in the world happened here. Not a game breaker, still manageable, but I'm very confused as I thought this was impossible...

Some images:

any feedback would be good, hope I'm not missing something obvious

 

[nfw]

Did you reject one of his demands?

 

[kossin]

Saves are better for investigation.

 

[Zx Zero Zx]

Bribing a war against them is a large diplo hit. He also sees that you are .6 of his power, and an easy target for free cities. The AI often has fake wars where nothing happens, and they make peace turns later. So my guess is that you angered him by sicking the dog on him, you have close border tension, and religious anger. This is enough to put him to annoyed, and he probably daggered you (quick plot not shown as plotting).

 

[dimatud]

thanks guys for the answers. I understand how he can get to plot on me, I knew I pissed him off quite a while ago but that's exactly the reason why I bribed Genghis on him.. to keep Julius off my back. I thought that worked 100% of the time??

Are they really allowed to declare war WHILE already at war with another nation? That's definitely the first time it happened to me (rule out vassal mechanics, nobody had feud.at declaration point)

PS: not on my PC, can't upload save or play any civ