In this round, we double our cities, triple our Worker Force, and pretty much eliminate Persia as a credible threat.
I started out by sending one of our two chariots off to check out the Persian capitol:
Yeah. Our two units may be fierce, but they're not
that fierce.
So the chariot hung out, burning camps and pastures until Cyrus was willing to talk turkey:
Gotta love the fake peace. It was time to spam chariots.
But first, we had to keep the filthy Greeks from encroaching on our lands. I founded Jerusalem in 2125 B.C.:
Looks like Alexander beat us to Turkey. Ah, well. At least he founded the city in the right spot. That'll make things easier later
The Gods continued to mock us:
As if Emperor weren't already hard enough! Cyrus gets a free pasture, and I get mine destroyed! *sigh* Nothing to do but pick up the pieces. Worker! Get to work!
In 1625 B.C., the Vedic Aryans bubbled forth from the depths of the Arabian peninsula and camped out at the gates of Pasagardae:
Well, at least that's where I'm mustering my troops. I just hope I don't lose too many-
Hey! Get back here!
I'd wanted to train a few more troops, but with that Archer stack deciding Pasagardae wasn't worth the effort and heading to Persepolis, I had little choice but to follow. It's called piling on
The barbarians did a reasonable job, taking out an Archer and an Immortal that were guarding the city. Unfortunately, the survivors, hardened from the onslaught, were ready to make a stand:
We lost more than half our force, but Persepolis fell:
Part of me thinks I should have razed it and rebuilt on the coast. Oh, well. The existing population allowed me to whip out a Monument.
My next target was the one-pop city of Susa, garrisoned by a single Archer:
I lost yet another Chariot in the assault, but the real prize was the two Workers just outside the city.
So with Cyrus deprived of his coastal settlements, I decided to call it a round. Here's a look at the empire so far:
Yeah, I should probably work more on military builds, but both Jerusalem and Persepolis could use the big culture boost a Madrassa would provide, and I need to get a settlement up north to claim that Copper.
Also of note in the screenshot, Egypt is now potentially a harder target, with the Great Wall up. Though that also makes her that much juicier
Regarding the remnants of Persia,
Ecbatana is on a hill, garrisoned by two Archers. I have five Chariots in various states of disrepair. I think I'm going to offer peace and let him rot in eastern Russia. At least until it's time to mop up.
Here's a look at that army:
Yeah. It's not great.
And Diplomacy:
I'm working towards Construction, since I think the age of Catapult-free conquest is over.
So! I know that I'm screwing up, and I'm sorry
Tell me what to fix and I'll fix it.