Chapter XVI: The Conquest of Britannia
Year: 64 AD
I begin to replace my Ballistae with Catapultae. Although the ballista has a bombard frequency of 3 in comparison to 2 of the catapulta, a value difference of 25 to 7 is more important. I have to keep my unit support costs reasonable, so i'll disband the ballistae and use them to push production in newly conquered settlements. The funditores are fast and may be of use in an invasion of britain, but later on i'll get rid of them, too, as a bombard value of 3 is just to little against the enemies of the future (this is no easy decision, but i have convinced myself that it is right).
Year: 72 AD
I'm finally ready to start an attack on Britannia.
For naval transportation i'm using four cumbae. I have deployed the largest part of my forces in the southeastern corner of great britain where my culture from Gesoriacum reaches.
After declaration of war i land other troops near Londinium and Isca Dumnorum. Note that i have never declared a war when i had troops in the enemies territory or a right of passage signed. This can help to keep good relations with civs you are not battling right now, in this game the Armenians, Persians and Numidians are yet friendly to me which reduces the risk of an unwanted and unprepared war.
Regarding this i have to note another thing which i have found out by trial (at least i have come to the impression that it works this way). The ai refrains from declaring war when it has profitable deals with you and, at least i think so, it is better to have several deals than one deal with several trades (i hope you understand what i'm trying to say): I'm donating the Parthians several luxuries and resources, each in an own deal, and i always have an eye on the time when these deals run out, so i can reinstall them. In turns i have no deal with the Parthians they will almost inevitably declare war, which is something i'm not willing to bear at the moment (i have used this in some games before and i'm following it now, too).
Ships from the Mediterranean can't enter the Atlantic and so are not able to support an invasion. However, you can found a city near the strait of gibralter, which will enable the fleets to move from the mare mediterraneum, if you want to. I have not done this, as i don't think i'll need more ships here right now.
Year: 74 AD
This technology offers me some new units: The Eques Legionarius i a much better cavalry unit compared to the Eques, as the importance of Cavalry in the roman army increased with the run of time. The Sagittarius Auxiliarius is a mixed range and close combat unit with a high bombardment frequency. Usually i'm using mostly artillery because if the higher bombardment value, but the archers can be useful against low defence troops, they cost support, though.
The Cohortes Imperatoriae are another unbuildable unit, which will form the high end of your army until the end of the game, as they are incredibly tough and will cut through most of your opponents with ease. There can be obtained by upgrading Cohortes Praetorianae, which are spawned by the Castra Praetoria, and your army units. Especially the armies with old legions (in my game the legiones consularis and the legio scipiones which have the original Legio) should be upgraded immediately. Even armies with Legio Imperatoria are not able to equal the Cohortes Imperatoriae in fighting skill. Some advantages are left, though, as they can be transported by ships (the Cohortes Imperatoriae can only use great harbours), they can blitz and have a movement bonus on hills and forests, as the Legio Caesaris.
I'm researching Philosopy & Poetry next, because Philosopher on the throne renders Imperium Traiani obsolete and i want to take benefit from it some more time.
I switch to the internal advisor, enter Roma and change production, so the Imperium Traiani will be finished immediately.
Imperium Traiani spawns a Legio Traiani every seven turns until made obsolete by Philosopher on the Throne. I have finished it in turn 237, so it can spawn in turns 244, 251, 258. I could hold back research for some turns, so it can spawn another one in turn 265, but i'll have to think about it, later.
Funditores prepare the assaults on Londinium and Isca Dumnorum and the landed Legions finish it.
The enemy will strike back soon:
But it's still my turn (i spared some funditores):
Year: 76 AD
The Forum Traiani places a forum in every city on the continent and costs 20 maintenance.
Boudicca has destroyed a Legion in her turn, but is now defeated by a Legio Caesaris.
Year: 78 AD
The Limes Persidis has finally been finished and will supply the parthian border with Munitores. At the moment four Legions and about thirty units of Servi are working here on fortifications. This part of the Limes is the most complete until now.
In this same turn the Limes Danuvii produced a Munitor, which is my first. These units excel at building forts and barricades.
Year: 80 AD
In the north there seem to be no enemy ships yet, so i can use my cumbae to fasten my supply lines.
Year: 82 AD
Year: 86 AD
Year: 88 AD
The first Legio Traiani is spawned in Roma. This army does not have the hit point penalty of the Legio Scipionis and Legio Caesaris, but it will not reach the fighting capabilities of Cohortes Imperatoriae, so if you've got enough money you should upgrade them immediately.
Now it is time to finish some business in the east:
I'm not sure why exactly i have waiting that long, could have done this earlier.
In Britannia remain no cities which i can take, so i give peace to the british tribes:
Once it has a great port to connect it with the continent, Britannia will supply the empire with britannian goods, which means i have access to every luxury in game.
Imperium Romanum in 88 AD:
.
Congrats.
