Friday, March 10, 2017
Persia
Persia
Born in 559 BC after a successful rebellion against the Medes, the Achaemenian
Persian Empire survived and thrived in a dangerous neighborhood for some 200 years. At its height it dominated the land from India to Egypt, from Iran to the Balkans. It was an awkward and ungainly empire, spanning three continents with citizens speaking dozens of different languages. At their best, the Achaemenian kings were lawgivers who treated their subject populations with clemency and fairness, interfering as little as possible with provincial internal policies as long as the subjects behaved themselves. At worst, the Achaemenian kings were incompetent bullying backstabbers.
Whatever else they were, the Achaemenian kings were survivors. Two hundred years is a long time for a single family to remain in power. If they hadn’t lived next to Alexander and Philip of Macedon – two of the greatest military leaders in the entire history of the world — they might have remained in power another 100 years. Alexander the Great himself was a brilliant leader and warlord, but his own empire barely survived his death by a year.
Leader: Darius I (550 – 486 BC)
The son of a satrap (governor) of Parthia, Darius I forcibly took the throne of Persia upon the death of Cambyses II in 522 BC. An administrative genius, during his reign Darius reorganized the sprawling Persian empire, greatly increasing its wealth and power. He also implemented many great construction works across Persia. He constructed roads, reorganized the Persian provinces and government, secured the empire’s borders, and generally treated his subjects about as well as or better than anyone in that time. Although not primarily known as a warlord, he fought a number of successful campaigns against both internal and external foes.
Unique Trait
Achaemenid Legacy: Golden Ages lasts 50% longer. Units receive a movement bonus and a +10% attack and defense strength bonus during a Golden Age.
Unique Unit
Immortal
Replaces Spearman
Unique Building
Satrap’s Court
Replaces Bank
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