The Glory of Rome

[charon2112]

Here's my game setup, I've decided to try Rome for this AAR. I want to give Augustus Caesar's "the Glory of Rome" special ability a try. This gives a boost to build any building in any secondary city, if that structure already exists in Rome. I'm going with a continents map, this is my favorite style. I haven't played much with the other types yet, maybe I will in the future. Standard map size, Prince difficulty (I'm not a very good player), and standard game pace round things out.

Ah, Augustus Caesar...he has two early game unique units which should prove useful. The ballista which replaces the catapult and the Legion, a replacement for the swordsman.

4000 BC: Here's my starting position. Some pretty good resources here, a wheat resource for food, one gold deposit to help with my economy and three(!) cotton tiles. That will be good for trade later. I see lots of plains, some forested. Should be a decent production city. There's an oasis to the south which should help feed my citizens, and some grassland tiles to the north. A nice river runs right through the area, good for commerce. I've decided to settle in place, but first, I'll move my warrior to the nearby hill to get a look at the land. This reveals no new resources, but I did reveal some forested grassland.

Rome is founded! First production will be a scout, I want to explore as quickly as I can. My first research project will be Pottery. This will allow me to build a granary to supply food, and leads to calendar, so I can work those cotton resources.

3960 BC: Moving my warrior onto the hill in the southwest reveals a small lake, also more plains and plains hills, some forested. We've discovered a cattle resource to the southwest of Rome. My warrior will continue to explore south.

3880 BC: My warrior has spotted a barbarian encampment southwest of Rome. Also a sheep resource and an ancient ruins. I will send my warrior to explore the ruins.

3840 BC: In the ruins, we discovered an old map revealing some of the local terrain. Unfortunately, it is mostly ocean areas. Also revealed is a second source of wheat, and fish off of the coast. A potential spot for our second city could be the coast to the south.

3800 BC: My scout is finished! I will send them North to explore the land, and begin building a worker, to improve the land around Rome. My scout uncovers marble to the north. While the worker is built, my scout will head north, while my warrior moves east and then north along the coast.

3720 BC: Scouts discover gems to the north.

3680 BC: My scouts have revealed another cattle resource and an ancient ruin, I will have them explore the ruin. warriors appear to be headed into a desert area. I can see the borders of two small city states to the north and east. I will have my warrior make contact.

3640 BC: Pottery is done, moving onto archery. I will want the archers range in dealing with barbarian encampments.

In the ruins, my scouts have discovered advanced technology! Mining, excellent, now I can begin mining that forested plains hill in Rome.

Met the city-state of Seoul. The gifted me with 30 gold. I will have to maintain good relations, they may be good friends.

3600 BC: My scouts have spotted a 2nd barbarian encampment, also another ruin and more gems.

Met second city state, Singapore. They gave me gold as well, and could supply my people with food if I maintain good relations.

3560 BC: The barbarians have drawn first blood. My scouts were spotted on their forest hill, and the brutes attacked. My scouts met them bravely, and their cry could be heard in Rome itself..."For Caesar!!"

Thank the gods, they had the protection of the hill and the forest, or else they would surely have perished.

I order them to hold out in the ancient ruins to heal, while there, they discovered cultural artifacts. Our culture has increased.

3520 BC: Time to adopt a social policy. I will adopt Honor. It will give me an immediate advantage against the barbarians. It'll help when I exact my vengeance upon their encampments.

To be continued...

 

[gunsnroses]

Ave Ceasar!

 

[Ashigaru]

Ooh looking forward to more. Honour will be pretty darn good for Caesar early game.

I wonder how long until you meet more civs.....

 

[Mjelnir]

Looking forward to the second installment

 

[charon2112]

chapter 2: New friends...


3400 BC: Met another major civilization, the Songhai. My warrior approached their capital, Gao, and we met their ruler, Askia. They look as if they have seen many battles, I hope they don’t think Rome will be an easy target.

3320 BC: We have finished researching archery.

My first worker is built; and now I’ll commission an archer-maybe two-to rain down hell on those barbarian encampments. I’ll begin researching calendar, so that we can build plantation on those cotton luxury resources. My worker will begin a farm on that wheat resource to get my population up.

3280 BC: I spent the gold to get that oasis in Rome’s borders. That should help with our growth.

3240 BC: Met Ghandi of India. He seems agreeable enough, he may be a good trading partner. I believe his troops came from the Northwest somewhere. I’ll have to try to find his capital city.

My damaged scout is now fully healed! I’ll have him explore west, then move south to uncover that area. My warrior continues exploring the North and the Eastern coast.

3200 BC: Met the city-state of Bucharest. They gifted me with 15 old, although they seem a bit hostile. A new barbarian encampment has sprung up just south of Singapore. They may be a thorn in our new friend’s side. Maybe they’d appreciate some help in dealing with them.

3120 BC: My warrior marched right by a barbarian camp. Thankfully they let me pass.

3040 BC: My scouts have uncovered a mountainous jungle area to the west of Bucharest, located here is a wonder of nature! The Grand Mesa…this should give a boost to Rome’s happiness.

The farm on Rome’s wheat resource is done, next my workers will construct a mine on the nearby plains hill. My warrior has stumbled upon a wounded barbarian. Hmm, if they don’t flee, I will take some small revenge on them. Also located near my warrior – gems, a food resource, more cotton…a good Northern city site.

3000 BC: Things got more interesting in the North. The damaged barbarians took refuge in a nearby forest, and a fresh group showed up to challenge my warrior. They’ll have to cross the river to attack, so I have a definite advantage. I’ll have my warrior fortify it’s position and wait for possible attack. My scouts have discovered an ancient ruin right next to yet another barbarian camp. This one will be dangerous to explore.

2960 BC: The barbarians have crossed the river and attacked my warrior!

As I thought, this was poor strategic planning and has cost them dearly. I have counter attacked and destroyed them. Also, we've received a message from Askia of Songhai that Singapore is now under their protection…interesting. On the homefront, the borders of Rome have expanded to include the first of three cotton sources.

Scouts have explored the ruin near the barbarians and discovered a band of survivors hiding there. They have agreed to join the population of Rome.

Here's a general overview of the map as of 2960 BC. Showing Rome and surrounding area. You can see Songhai's capital to the North.

Next...arrows fly!

 

[charon2112]

2880 BC: My scouts have located another ancient ruin, but it looks like Songhai’s warriors will get there first. If they do, it will annoy me and may cost them dearly down the line.

My worker has stopped building the mine…why? Aha! A barbarian is encroaching on my southern border. Songhai’s scouts are also nearby, perhaps they will draw the barbarians away.

2840 BC: As I feared, Songhai’s warriors reached the ruin first, and are now armed with advanced weapons…fine spears of bronze. They may learn to regret this insolence.

The barbarians approaching Rome from the south are in for a surprise…the arrows of my newly created archers! I order them to let loose a volley. Success! The barbarians are almost destroyed. Rome uses it’s built in defenses next, and the barbarians are down to a single man.

2800 BC: Calendar is finished, moving on to bronze working, as it leads to iron. Both of my civilizations unique units require iron. Hmm, the remaining barbarian has captured my worker. This will not stand. A small volley from my archers and the barbarians are gone. My scout has found yet another ruin, and a fish resource to the west.

2760 BC: My archer has reclaimed my worker, meanwhile my scout explored the ruins. We have found more advanced weaponry, and my scouts are now armed with bows. Let’s go destroy a barbarian encampment!

2720 BC: No… a barbarian has destroyed my wheat farm, I need to deal with these encampments. Rome’s defenses will deal with this invader.

Another invasion force approaches from the south! I order my archers to release their arrows, and the barbarians are almost destroyed.

2680 BC: Barbarians have attacked my warrior in the north, they are defeated easily and my men have earned a promotion. I give them one that improves their fighting ability in open terrain.

My archers have finished off the barbarians near Rome, and now march towards their encampment.

2640 BC: As my bow-scouts approach a barbarian encampment, a barbarian brute appears. I’ll deal with them first, a good volley and their almost gone.

My archers near Rome position themselves on a hill north of the barbarians camp and ready themselves for an attack.

2600 BC: My bow-scouts make their first attack against the barbarians camp.

My archers in the south do the same, and earn a promotion for their efforts.

2560 BC: My archers near Rome fire another volley at the vile barbarians, as my bow-scouts finish off a lone barbarian and earn a promotion.

2480 BC: Both barbarian encampments are destroyed, the citizens of Rome cheer their heroes, and we pillage 50 gold total from the camps.

2440 BC: Finished researching bronze working, moving to masonry, for walls and the Pyramids.

My archer south of Rome will move east to destroy the barbarian camp near our two city state friends. My bow scouts will continue their exploration west and south. A settler is done in Rome, I need to found our empire’s second city. The mine is finished on Rome’s hill, now my worker will repair our wheat farm.

2400 BC: I’ve decided our second city will be south of Rome, on the coast. There’s good food and luxury resources there. It’s time for us to adopt a new policy, I decide on ‘Tradition’ to help my cities grow, now that the barbarians are under control.

2360 BC: My warrior attacks a barbarian in the north, near another encampment.

Atrium is founded! We begin creating a worker there.

2320 BC: Wheat farm is rebuilt, starting work on a cotton plantation.

 

[gunsnroses]

Great keep it up

 

[Mjelnir]

This is awesome very much looking forward to the next installment

 

[DroopyTofu]

This looks good. I'm looking forward to following this since I haven't bought Civ V yet, and plan on waiting til Christmas for it. Thanks for sharing the experience!

 

[waytofailself]

Very nice. I'm really enjoying the detailed series of screen shots. Makes me feel like I"m right there in the game with you.

 

[generalwar]

Really enjoyable with all of this small details. Keep it going

 

[sheep21]

very nice, keep it going

 

[bestrfcplayer]

Very good! It seems that you are off to a great start! Keep it up!

 

[wlcang0226]

very well, I like the detail, It's very helpful. Thanks!!

 

[godeater]

Always have had a soft spot for the Romans. Hope to read more about Rome's exploits in this game soon.

 

[charon2112]

**Sorry, it's been a while since I've added to this...I’ve been thinking about my game so far, and I think I’m playing Rome incorrectly. I’m not playing to their strengths…Romans were conquerors! I should be bee-lining for iron and mathematics and building Legions and Ballistas. That is the direction I am going to take my empire going forward. And please, feel free to post any suggestions for my game. (city placement, social policies, strategies, etc.)**

2320 BC: I’ve spent some of our gold reserves on the gold resource tile in Rome, and the fur and deer tiles on the south of Antium. I’m thinking ahead to my next city, and I think it will either be north of Rome to claim the marble and gem resources, or maybe I’ll wait for iron working and place my city near that valuable strategic resource.

2280 BC: I’m withdrawing my warrior in the north to heal after their battle with the barbarians. They can’t do much in their condition. In Rome, my worker will begin a cotton plantation for my people’s happiness and some gold production. For a while, I will have an archer sit on a nearby hill as a lookout for approaching enemies.

2120 BC: Masonry is done, now I can build walls to protect my cities, and also a quarry to access marble. Beginning iron working-I need to begin producing my Legions. Also, changing production in Rome from a granary to a worker.

2080 BC: My cotton plantation is done, and Rome’s happiness is now out of the red. Sending archers out into the landscape to destroy barbarian encampments (I should have done this earlier).

2040 BC: Warrior is now healed, sending him off to the north to continue exploring. I am sending Rome’s worker to Antium to improve it’s land (Antium is off to a slow start, I’m questioning the choice of location).

1960 BC: Met city-state Belgrade, they gifted Rome with 15 gold. I have to plan which city-states to trade with, and which to “annex”. The city-state of Seoul sent word that any barbarians we kill will earn us influence with them.

1920 BC: Met city-state of Stockholm, received 15 gold.

1880 BC: Met city-state of Copenhagen, received 15 gold.

1840 BC: My workers are beginning construction of a mine in Atrium. Bucharest sent word that they have a dispute with Copenhagen, and wants them eliminated. Also, Seoul wants Singapore destroyed. I don’t know if I have time to waste on these petty local disputes.

1680 BC: My scouts and warriors continue uncovering the landscape. My archer is taking on a barbarian camp. Songhai has asked me for a pact of cooperation, to which I have agreed.

1600 BC: Barbarian camp is destroyed, archer finishing of remaining spearmen.

1560 BC: I seem to be doing Gandhi’s work for him, clearing his land of barbarians…that’s fine, my units could use the experience. After the barracks are finished in Rome, I’ll start a settler to found a new city and claim whatever Iron is revealed by Iron Working.

1480 BC: Iron Working is complete, moving on to sailing, I want to able to access Antium’s fish resources. That cities initial growth is slow. Two iron resources have been revealed north or Rome; I need a settler quickly to take them.

1320 BC: I’ve gone ahead and bought a settler for quicker access to iron.

1280 BC: My archers are taking care of another barbarian camp.

1240 BC: Sailing is done…beginning to research Animal Husbandry, as this leads to trapping. Antium has two resources that require camps.

1160 BC: Cumae is founded right next to an iron resource, I immediately use gold to purchase the second. The close border with Songhai displeases me.

1080 BC: Animal Husbandry is done, moving on to Trapping (for access to fur and deer resources). Archers and a warrior are cleaning up a barbarian camp near Cumae.

925 BC: Finished Trapping, next up is The Wheel. This will lead into Mathematics, which I need for Ballistas! A worker in Antium will begin a camp on the deer resource. My new stolen worker starts a second iron mine in Cumae. I’m sending some archers west to clear out a couple of new barbarian encampments. In Rome, work begins on my Legions…

825 BC: The Wheel is done, starting Mathematics. My archers arrive at a barbarian camp and open fire.

700 BC: Archer and warrior have cleared barbarian camp. For the last few turns, Antium has been harassed by a barbarian galley. The city has been taking shots at it when it can.

675 BC: Workboat in Antium is finished, I’ll have it fish off the coast.

Here's an overview of the Roman Empire as it stands now, and some distance shots of the rest of the continent. I appear to share it only with India and Songhai. I don't expect much resistance to my suggesting that they "join" our Empire.

The first of the Roman Legions is complete! He automatically gets two promotions from Rome’s barracks and armory. Now on to mathematics, and ballistas!

 

[Kaar]

Victa Roma! That arrogant Askia is no better than those barbarians, seizing the deserved bounty of Gems that the Gods left for Glorious Rome!

I'm really enjoying the detail you're putting into these reports, and with my favourite Civ, no less. Don't forget to play not only to the strength of your UU's, but also your UA. Do a little bit of pre-planning for the buildings you want your other cities to get, and if you can afford it, get them in Rome first. Also, I'd suggest using your new Legions to get a trade route from Rome to Cumae built - It will also serve as a quick route for your reinforcements to get to Songhai if the campaign takes a little longer.

I gotta ask though, because these screenshots are just beautiful: What's your computer setup?

 

[charon2112]

Thanks for the kind words.

My rig is:

-Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield OC'd to 3.67 ghz
-GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD2 Intel P55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
-SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 5770 1 Gig Videocard
-4GB DDR3 1600 Memory

And I use FRAPS to record the screenshots...

Victa Roma! That arrogant Askia is no better than those barbarians, seizing the deserved bounty of Gems that the Gods left for Glorious Rome!

I'm really enjoying the detail you're putting into these reports, and with my favourite Civ, no less. Don't forget to play not only to the strength of your UU's, but also your UA. Do a little bit of pre-planning for the buildings you want your other cities to get, and if you can afford it, get them in Rome first. Also, I'd suggest using your new Legions to get a trade route from Rome to Cumae built - It will also serve as a quick route for your reinforcements to get to Songhai if the campaign takes a little longer.

I gotta ask though, because these screenshots are just beautiful: What's your computer setup?

 

[charon2112]

"Fall of the Songhai"


625 BC: Finished researching mathematics. Finally I can begin construction on my first siege units…ballistas! I’m going to start Metal Casting, I want those forges and workshops. My next move will be to build a small army of a few Legions and ballistas, then march to the Songhai city of Tombouctu. Elsewhere, my workers continue improving my lands.

525 BC: Spent some gold to acquire a horse tile northwest of Antium. I’ll have my workers start a pasture there.

475 BC: My second Legion is complete, Rome’s army expands! Askia of Songhai has requested an open borders agreement with us. It will be moot soon, but I accept.

375 BC: A company of archers joins my Legions.

325 BC: First ballista is finished, I’ll soon start assembling my army on the field.

300 BC: There’s reports of a new barbarian encampment near my borders. It should make excellent target practice for my ballista.

250 BC: Ballista cleared the barbarian camp in a single volley, these are truly effective weapons.

200 BC: Metal Casting is complete, moving on to Horseback Riding.

125 BC: My second ballista is done. Time to marshal my forces…Rome’s first army is complete.

75 BC: Horseback Riding is complete, starting Construction. I’ll need Coliseums to keep my people happy after I begin conquering cities. I have positioned my forces around Tombouctu.

25 BC: The war with Songhai begins!

0 AD: It’s over. Tombouctu is mine. (Sorry, I forgot to take screenshots on this battle. It was quick though)

25 AD: A Songhai warrior flanked and destroyed one of my ballistas…! Revenge will be swift. Now, to march on the Songhai capital.

50 AD: bought the second fish resource near Antium.

75 AD: Construction is finished, starting Currency. I’ll need to work on my economy in the coming years as well as my citizen’s happiness. Commencing my attack on Gao, the Songhai capital. They’re defending with swordsmen. They should be no match for my Legions.

175 AD: Gao has been conquered. I’ll allow my troops to recover before pushing on.

200 AD: Songhai counter attacked with a swordsman and a common warrior. They were cut down by my ballista and archers. Great General Scipio Africanus has arrived in Gao.

225 AD: Received word that the city-state of Stockholm would like their neighbor Belgrade destroyed.

300 AD: Time to march on Taghaza!

350 AD: Research complete on Currency, beginning Engineering.

375 AD: Taghaza has fallen to Rome. I’ll put a puppet government in place here.

400 AD: Moving onto Jenne, and the end of the Songhai.

450 AD: Jenne is mine…and the Songhai are no more. I’ll instill another puppet government here. Now time to re-group, and heal my army. Meanwhile, I’ll work on Rome’s economy, and my citizens unhappiness.

The Roman Empire. We now control the entire east coast of this continent, which I have named "Caesaria"!

 

[Vanni]

Great playthrough and story so far man. Loving it. Glad to see someone who knows how to get the war machine going while still taking care of his infrastructure.