Update 6 - 2500 B.C.
In Imperiam everything seems to be going to plan. The wonder continues to near completion, the army is greatly increased, and the kingdom expands in all directions. But news from the Mesopotamian wars in the East prove critical for the Imperians. Military spending by the Sumerians has sunk their economy to new depths. Lagash, Ur, and all other major cities in lower Mesopotamia are crowded by the poor. With this, a new people called the Hebrews begin a migration to better lands. Led by a man named Abraham, they eventually arrive in the lands of Imperium. He preaches a tale of one god, and denounces the crude religious practices of the Imperian kings.
Back in Mesopotamia, the war rages on. The Babylonians leave to counter the Sumerian advance in their Southern lands, in which they easily repel the poverty stricken and dispirited armies of Sumer. Back North however, this let's the Assyrians make major advances. Already they have reached the impregnable walls of Babylon, with their legendary golden gate. The Babylonian army that had headed for Ashur turned around to aid it's comrades at the main front, but not before it was stricken down by an even larger Assyrian army.
Casualties: 75 Assyrians, 150 Sumerians, 175 Babylonians
On the Indian subcontinent, Calicut continues to flourish. It expands in all directions and peacefully annexes a large tribe which was far too scared to disagree to unison. More importantly, the great temple of Calicut is completed, sending the country to it's greatest heights ever. Monks from the temple teach the poor, and within years the results are clearly visible. A commoner by the name of Rajj Viyaknum, a metalsmith in a village outside Calicut, produced the world's first iron. Calicut enters the iron age! With the period of stability and peace, several kingdoms around Calicut learn from their example and establish small nations on their own. Directly North is the nation of Maurya, centered around the city of Pataliputra. Along the Indus is the Indus Valley, centered around the city of Mohenjo Daro where it is said Hinduism first came about. Between the Indus Valley and Calicut is is Delhi, a city state centered around the metropolis of the same name. South of Delhi is Suparakans, with it's capital of Mumbai, and even farther South is Hoysalas, centered around Dvarasamudra. All the way South on an island only slightly smaller than Calicut itself, is Sinhala, also known as Ceylon. All these states are poor and nowhere near as developed as Calicut, although the Indus Valley has something of a religious importance.
War erupts in China! All four Chinese states refuse the Chinese offer for annexation, wondering why the hell they would agree to lose their own independence. They laugh at the Chinese diplomat until a Chinese army of some 250 men rushes into Wuwei. The Wuwei soldiers were caught off guard, and already the Chinese army is approaching the gates of Wuwei city itself. The remaining states prepare to defend themselves from possible future Chinese agression.
Casualties: 75 Wuweians, 50 Chinese
In Japan, the surrounding nations are far more accepting of agricultural and navally oriented Japan than the mainland states to the militant Chinese. Diplomats from the two other Nipponese states come to the empress's palace at Tokyo and explain their rulers' decisions to the unision offer. Meanwhile, all of Honshu is under Japanese control. However, the Japanese aren't complete pacifists. A small island of ronin and ainu is invaded with the navy and spare troops. Not many men could be assigned to the invasion due to the heavy expansion demands North, so the Japanese only manage to make a beachhead on the island.
In Russia, heavy expansion continues. The red storm is almost completed, while significant fighting is done in the Baltic lands. The superior Russians win several battles, forcing the Balts to migrate Southward, while they establish the fort of st.Petersburg to the North. Hundreds flock to the new city by the sea.
Casualties: 25 Russians, 75 Balts
The Hittites quickly become the unquestioned orders of Northern Anatolia. Westward they also make great progress. With the increase in coastal territory comes the first increase of navy by the Hittites. 10 new galleys are built from fine Trebizond timber to serve the king.
The Britons awaken from their lengthly slumber and continue to expand. This shocks the Welsh, who were used to a dormant British tribe, but nontheless the two sides generally avoid each other. Great gains are made to the North for the English.
The Romans build many new roads throughout their lands, and then take them to Etruscan lands where they pillage loot everything in their sights. The battles are lengthly with heavy casualties for both sides, but after several decades the Romans prove victorious. The Etruscans are latinized and forced to lose their heritage, however, by now only a small number of Etruscans were left, most leaving towards some mysterious empire in the East...
Casualties: Romans 125, Etruscans, 250
The Minoans enter times of great prosperity. Etruscan refugees from the European mainland flee via the galleys of Minoan explorers and are taken to Knossos. There they are taken by order of the king to the new colony of Byzantium, which within a few years becomes a city. It's growth is threatened only by the presence of the Thracian and Dacian tribes to the North. The etruscans are integrated into the Minoan culture, and soon become some of the most prominent people in the empire.It was a second generation etruscan whose invention of the wheelbarrow helped complete the great palace of knossos. Meanwhile, a native Minoan discovers the technology of iron independently of the distant Calicutians at around the same time. The new metal has reprucussions felt in everything from the military to architecture and sends Minoa to the iron age.
Diplomacy
From Babylon
To Assyria
How about peace at current borders for an economy level?
From Sumer
To Assyria
Although Babylon was originally ours by agreement, we will give it to you for one economy level.
From Sinhala and Suparaka
To Calicut
We would never agree to unision but perhaps a defensive pact?
From Liaotung, Shu, and Wu
To China
We will never forget this, nor will we let you either.
From Satsuma Shogunate
To Tokyo Japan
Sorry, we have to decline.
From Hokkaido
To Tokyo Japan
No, but we would agree to a defensive protection pact.
Trade
OOC Erez, remember how I said that the Hebrews lived around your kingdom in the first update? Forget that, they just came now. And umm, your religion's polytheism now to keep more in touch with historical reality.