How does this occur?

[Desk Jockey]

I'm playing as Babylon and in the middle of a war with Japan. I wasn't able to secure Iron in the initial land grab so, I decided to pry it from Japans evil clutch (the reason for the war to begin with).

I had founded Islam and Sulieman (sp?), who is also Muslim gifts me Iron a few turns after I start the war!! I got one of those random events pop-ups saying "Our Ottoman friends have gifted us Iron to help us in the war with Japan (or something along those lines). It didn't happen through the diplomacy screen.

I built the Apostolic Palace, (but am not in charge of it, he is).

This is my third BtS game, and I've never been in charge of the palace. Is the resource gifting event a function of the Palace or because we have great diplomatic relations or a combination? I've just never seen this happen before.

 

[Andvare]

It's just a random event.
Precisely what it requires, I dunno (there is a thread on the events somewhere around here).


Edit: The thread is here:

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=236727&highlight=random+event

And the event is here:

Brothers in Need
Prereq: You and other AI have same state religion AND can trade resources AND you have more then 1 of any of the listed resources AND the other AI lacks this resource: COPPER or IRON or HORSE or IVORY or OIL or URANIUM AND other AI is at war AND you are not at war
Obsolete: None
Active/Weight: 100/1000
Result:
1.Nothing
2.you gift Copper
3.you gift Iron
4.you gift Horse
5.you gift Ivory
6.you gift Oil
7.you gift Uranium

At least I believe that is the event.
So, same state religion and a strategic resource. No palace.