Control 8% of World territory in 600AD:
I founded Sirajis on the coast to get the trade routes and early access to sea food. Sent the other Settler to the Horses resource to settle there.
Open borders with India for trade and religion. India had founded Hinduism and Buddhism.
Research: Code of Laws.
Shush flipped to me after a few turns - with a Granary and Barracks. Started a Stable because of the great production potential.
After waiting a few turns for Babylonia to attack me, I decided I couldn't wait anymore and flooded into his land. I was able to burn his city on the Copper, so no more Spearmen. Babylon was defended by 2 Spears and Archers so I ended up bypassing it, burning or capturing all other cities. Babylon eventually collapsed, but I was only able to capture it in turn 98, using Warlord boosted units(70% withdrawal chance on one of those
). Pyramids captured!
Egypt was a tempting next target due to them having the Stonehenge, but I was already well into Code of Laws and I could do without the barb problems in Africa.
I decided to proceed to my most important strategic target: Greece. The huge food potential in Athens and Byzantion was always a crucial part of my strategy in this game.
The conquest of Greece was smooth, with Byzantion only defended by an Axe and - by now independent - Athens only protected by a few Phalanx units. Rome attacked me but didn't really send much of an army, and my main force in Greece was able to wrest control of Spalatum from them. After signing a peace treaty with Rome, I sent a unit down to the south of Italy to meet the Carthaginians, enabling me to trade for Mathematics with the Indians.
Started researching Construction full speed. The Great Lighthouse and Temple of Kukulkan built.
Byzantion was immediately prepared for GP duty - eventually it could carry about 8 artist specialists:
With Byzantions huge gpp output, I could hold Athens(with Temple of Artemis+2 temples) in reserve in case I needed a Great Prophet for the last UHV condition.
Shortly before 600AD, I had built the Great Wall and sent 2 groups of units to the great plains of Central Asia, each consisting of a Great Artist, a Settler and adequate protection.
This ensured that I had almost 10% of world territory in 600AD. Admittedly, that was after Egypt asked to become my vassal, which apparently adds half their territory to your tile count.
Control 7 world wonders in 700AD and
Control 2 holy shrines in 700AD:
I wanted to get rid of my 2 Central Asian cities, so I retreated my units and gifted one to the Arabs and abandoned the other to the barbs(apparently it was outside the Great Wall, in Ukraine, after all). I gave the Arabs Jerusalem as well.
India had built one of the holy shrines, but I had lost hope that they would complete the second in time. I would have to rely on Athens to produce a Great Prophet. I sent a huge stack to India and took Delhi in 630AD, and to my surprise, I entered a Golden Age for controlling 7 wonders. Maybe the UHV text should be reformulated to reflect that you can get it before 700AD?
This meant I got double birth rate in Athens, so I got a very good percentage for popping a Prophet. I finished the game by taking Jerusalem and building the Temple of Solomon.
TDK