___
- -_, /\
( ~/|| _ ||
( / || / \\ _-_ /'\\ =||=
\/==|| || || || \\ || || ||
/_ _|| || || ||/ || || ||
( - \\, \\_-| \\,/ \\,/ \\,
/ \
'----`
,- _~, _-_, _-_,
(' /| / ' // //
(( ||/= \\/\\/\\ -_-_ \\ ,._-_ _-_ _-_, || ||
(( || || || || || \\ || || || \\ ||_. ~|| ~||
( / | || || || || || || || ||/ ~ || || ||
-____- \\ \\ \\ ||-' \\ \\, \\,/ ,-_- _-_, _-_,
|/
'
.---------------------------------------------------------------------.
| Age of Empires II FAQ / Version 4.4 / Dec. 03rd, 2003 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Written by Jim Chamberlin <red_phoenix_1@hotmail.com> |
| |
| This FAQ covers the following games: |
| |
| Age of Empires II: Age of Kings |
| Age of Empires II: The Conquerers |
| |
| This document Copyright © 2001 Jim Chamberlin. All rights reserved. |
'---------------------------------------------------------------------'
<< Online Resources >>
Ensemble Studios - Official Site http://www.ensemblestudios.com/
Through The Ages - Fan Site http://www.throughtheages.com
Planet Age of Empires - Fan Site http://www.planetageofempires.com
MrFixItOnline (MFO) - Fan Site http://mrfixitonline.com/
AOE2.com - Fan Site http://www.aoe2.com/
Age of Kings Heaven - Fan Site http://aok.heavengames.com/
Age of Kings Database - Fan Site http://aokdb.com/
The above are the best of the best Age of Kings related sites.
All of them have tons of downloads, interviews, etc. This list
isn't kept up to date.
Ensemble Studios will have Random Maps released occasionally,
so I suggest that you check out the site for a new download!
_______________
.--------------------========= ANNOUNCEMENTS =========-------------------------.
| ――――――――――――――― |
| [All major Age of Empires news will be included in this section.] |
| |
| Nov. 13th --- Since the last update, nearly two years ago, Ensemble |
| Studios has released Age of Mythology and an expansion |
| pack for it, so go and pick it up! |
'--------------------=================================-------------------------'
=============================================================================
Table of Contents
=============================================================================
1. Introduction
2. Changes in Age of Empires games.
AoE: Rise of Rome to AoE II: Age of Kings
AoE II: Age of Kings to AoE II: The Conquerers
3. Buildings
Archery Range
Barracks
Blacksmith
Bombard Tower
Castle
Dock
Farm
Fish Trap
Foritified Wall
Gate
Guard Tower
House
Keep
Lumber Camp
Market
Mill
Mining Camp
Monastery
Outpost
Palisade Wall
Siege Workshop
Stable
Stone Wall
Town Center
University
Watch Tower
Wonder
4. The Units
A. Miscellaneous
Missionary (TC ONLY)
Monk
Relic
Trade Cart
Villager
B. Infantry
Berserk & Elite Berserk
Champion
Eagle Warrior & Elite Warrior (TC ONLY)
Halberdier (TC ONLY)
Huskarl & Elite Huskarl
Jaguar Warrior & Elite Jaguar Warrior (TC ONLY)
Long Swordsman
Man- at- Arms
Militia
Pikemen
Samurai & Elite Samurai
Spearmen
Teutonic Knight & Elite Teutonic Knight
Throwing Axemen & Elite Throwing Axemen
Two- Handed Swordsman
Woad Raider & Elite Woad Raider
C. Archery
Arbalest
Archer
Cavalry Archer
Chu Ko Nu & Elite Chu Ko Nu
Conquistador & Elite Conquistador (TC ONLY)
Crossbowman
Elite Skirmisher
Hand Cannoneer
Heavy Cavalry Archer
Janissary & Elite Janissary
Longbowman & Elite Longbowman
Mangudai & Elite Magudai
Plumed Archer & Elite Plumed Archer (TC ONLY)
Skirmisher
War Wagon & Elite War Wagon (TC ONLY)
D. Cavalry
Camel
Cavalier
Cataphract & Elite Cataphract
Heavy Cavalry
Hussar (TC ONLY)
Knight
Light Cavalry
Mameluke & Elite Mameluke
Paladin
Scout Cavalry
Tarkan & Elite Tarkan (TC ONLY)
War Elephant & Elite War Elephant
E. Siege Weapons
Battering Ram
Bombard Cannon
Capped Ram
Mongonel
Onager
Petard (TC ONLY)
Scorpion & Elite Scorpion
Siege Onager
Siege Ram
Trebuchet
F. Boats
Cannon Galleon & Elite Cannon Galleon
Demolition Ship & Heavy Demolition Ship
Fire Ship & Fast Fire Ship
Fishing Ship
Galleon
Galley
Longboat & Elite Longboat
Trade Cog
Transport Ship
Turtle Ship & Elite Turtle Ship (TC ONLY)
War Galley
5. Technologies
A. Blacksmith (Origin)
Blast Furnace
Bodkin Arrow
Bracer
Chain Barding Armor
Chain Mail Armor
Fletching
Forging
Iron Casting
Leather Archer Armor
Padded Archer Armor
Plate Barding Armor
Plate Mail Armor
Ring Archer Armor
Scale Barding Armor
Scale Mail Armor
B. Mill (Origin)
Crop Rotation
Heavy Plow
Horse Collar
C. University (Origin)
Architecture
Ballistics
Chemistry
Heated Shot
Masonry
Murder Holes
Siege Engineers
Treadmill Crane
D. Monastery (Origin)
Atonement
Block Printing
Faith
Fervor
Herbal Medicine (TC ONLY)
Heresy (TC ONLY)
Illumination
Redemption
Sanctity
Theocracy (TC ONLY)
E. Barracks (Origin)
Squires
Tracking
F. Town Center (Origin)
Hand Cart
Loom
Town Center
Town Watch
Wheelbarrow
G. Castle (Origin)
Anarchy (TC ONLY)
Artillery (TC ONLY)
Atheism (TC ONLY)
Bearded Axe (TC ONLY)
Berserkergang (TC ONLY)
Conscription
Crenellations (TC ONLY)
Drill (TC ONLY)
El Dorado (TC ONLY)
Furor Celtica (TC ONLY)
Garland Wars (TC ONLY)
Hoardings
Kataparuto (TC ONLY)
Logistica (TC ONLY)
Mahouts (TC ONLY)
Perfusion (TC ONLY)
Rocketry (TC ONLY)
Sappers
Shinkichon (TC ONLY)
Spies
Supremacy (TC ONLY)
Yeomen (TC ONLY)
Zealotry (TC ONLY)
H. Mining Camp (Origin)
Gold Mining
Gold Shaft Mining
Stone Mining
Stone Shaft Mining
I. Lumber Camp (Origin)
Double-Bit Axe
Bow Saw
Two-Man Saw
J. Market (Origin)
Banking
Caravan (TC ONLY)
Cartography
Coinage
Guilds
K. Stable (Origin)
Bloodlines (TC ONLY)
Husbandry
L. Dock
Careening
Dry Dock
Shipwright
M. Archery Range
- Parthian Tactics (TC ONLY)
- Thumb Ring (TC ONLY)
6. History
7. Civilization Comparisons
8. Specific Strategies and Tips
- On the Road to Expert
9. Miscellaneous Tips and Strategies
10. Appendices
- Cheats
- Building Attributes
- Research Times
- Unit Training Times
- Attack Rates
- Movement Rates
- Resources
- Hotkeys
11. Downloads
12. Acknowledgements
==============================================================================
1. Introduction
==============================================================================
Age of Empires 2: Age of Kings is the sequel to the very popular Age of
Empires title. Age of Empires 2 (AOE2) was delayed for a while because they
wanted to get everything right before they shipped it. That was the reason for
Age of Empires: Rise of Rome. It was supposed to cure our crave for more Age
of Empires, when they all knew we wanted Age of Empires 2. Well, Rise of Rome
did a pretty good job in serving as an appetizer. Age of Empires II: Age of
Kings has done very, very well in sales so far.
Age of Empires II: The Conquerers (TC) has been released! Go get it!
I've altered this FAQ to cover TC as well, enjoy!
==============================================================================
2. Changes in Age of Empires Games
==============================================================================
AoE: Rise of Rome to AoE II: Age of Kings
[Taken From the Age of Empires II: Age of Kings Game Manual]
* 13 New Civilizations - Each has a unique unit and a team bonus.
* New Units - Including, Kings, Heroes, female villagers, knights, cannons,
and exploding demolition ships.
* New Buildings - Including impressive castles and gates that automatically
open and close for you and your allies.
* New Technologies - Including Conscription (increases military unit creation
speed) and Town Watch (increases building Line of Sight).
* Formations - Precision control of how your army moves and engages in combat.
* New Multimedia Campaigns - Unique music and more than 300 pieces of original
art enhance your game as you follow a soldier through battles featuring
William Wallace, Joan of Arc, Saladin, Genghis Khan, and Frederick Barbossa.
* New Ways To Trade - Trade with other players over land and by sea; buy or
sell resources at the Market.
* Learning Campaign - Master the basics by helping William Walace rise from
his humble beginnings to defeat the British.
* Regicide game - Defend your king to win the game.
* 8 New Map Types - Including the Arabia, Black Forest, Rivers, and Random,
which allows the computer to pick a surprise map type for you.
* Garisoning - Station units inside buildings for protection, healing, and
surprise attacks.
* New Combat Features - Order military units to patrol, guard, or follow and
choose their combat stance.
* Record and replay games - Watch your single- player and multiplayer games
later.
* Find Idle Villagers - Automatically locate villagers not assigned to a task
using the "Idle Villager" button.
* New Online Tech Tree - See what is available to your civilization and which
units and technologies you've researched while in the game.
* Improved Multiplayer Features - Save and restore multiplayer games; lock the
game speed for all players; lock game teams so players can't change alliance
during a game; signal allies.
* Gather Points - New units automatically gather at a location or garrison
inside a building.
* Improved Interface - Units behind buildings and trees are visible; the mini-
map has Normal, Combat, and Economic modes; chat interface is expanded; Help
is integrated into the game.
* User Profiles - Customize options and hotkeys and automatically save them
game to game.
* Online Encyclopedia - Extensive histories of 13 medieval civilizations;
background on the Middle Ages, armies, weapons, and warfare.
AoE II: Age of Kings to AoE II: The Conquerers
[Taken from the Age of Empires II: The Conquerers Game Manual]
* Civilizations - Aztecs, Huns, Koreans, Mayans, and Spanish.
* Units - Conquistadors, Eagle Warriors, Halberdiers, Hussars, Jaguar
Warriors, Missionaries, Petards, Plummed Archers, Tarkans, Turtle
Ships, and War Wagons.
* Technologies - Bloodlines, Caravan, Herbal Medecine, Heresy, Parthian
Tactics, Theocracy, and Thumb Ring. In addition, each civilization
can research a unique technology that improves its unique unit or team
bonus.
* Campaigns - Battle as Attila the Hun, El Cid, Montezuma, and other
remarkable conquerers. New difficulty settings let anyone play to win.
Campaign objectives now include a "Scouts" tab that provides reconnaissance
information about the map and your enemies.
* New Game Types - King of the Hill, Wonder Race, Defend the Wonder.
* Real World Maps - Based on geographical locations, such as Britain,
France, Italy, and of course, Texas.
* More Maps - Arena, Ghost Lake, Mongolia, Nomad, Oasis, Salt Marsh,
Scandinavia, Yucatan, and Random Land.
* Winter and Tropical Terrain - On winter maps, walk across ice and leave
footprints in the snow. On tropical maps, herd turkeys instead of sheep
and fend off jaguars instead of wolves.
* Last Man Standing victory condition - After defeating your enemy, team
members turn on each other until one player wins.
* Farms automatically replant - Queue Farms so they automatically replant
after all the food has been gathered from them.
* Ship formations - Ships move in formation just like land units.
* Ram Garrisoning - Units can garrison inside Battering, Capped, and Siege
Rams for protection and to increase the ram's speed and attack.
* Smart Villagers - Villagers work smarter, build walls more intelligently,
and automatically gather resources after constructing a drop-off building.
* Smart Siege Weapons - Mangonels, Onagers, and Siege Onagers don't
automatically attack if they would harm friendly units.
* Improved Trading and Tributes - Buy, Sell, and Tribute lots of 500, or
tribute everything in your stockpile.
* Improved Chatting - See messages in each player's color.
* Improved Diplomacy UI - See other player's stances toward you.
* Friend or foe colors - Change player colors to see enemies in one color,
allies in another.
* Command Allied Computer Players - Use chat commands to order allied computer
players to attack, tribute resources, and build an economy, military, or
a Wonder.
* Return to previous view - Press the BACKSPACE key to return to the previous
location on the map. For example, if the screen is centered on your army
and you return back to your Town Center to tend your economy, press the
BACKSPACE key to return to your army. Press the key multiple times to
display the last 10 locations.
* Random teams option - Players who select a question mark (?) as their "Team"
setting before starting a game are randomly placed on the teams of players
who have chosen team numbers. If all players select random teams, two
teams are created.
* Improved Game Recording - Record chat text and insert chapter markers so you
can easily play back important battles.
* Full-size Map Screenshots - Choose the reduction ratio and create a
screenshot of the entire game world.
* Improved map editor - New scenario triggers, including the ability to change
unit names and attributes.
* Customizable random maps - Create your own random map scripts that tell
the computer what terrain, elevation, and resources to place when creating
random maps. To learn how to do this, see the Random Map Script Guide
(RMSG.doc) in the Docs folder on The Conquerers Expansion CD.
* There are many, many other changes. Attributes and other various little
statistics about a lot of units and buildings have changed.
==============================================================================
3. Buildings
==============================================================================
-------------
Archery Range
-------------
The Archery Range is used to create archers. Archery Range units can be
garrisoned inside the Archery Range if you set a gather point there while the
units are being created. They cannot reenter once ungarrisoned. You must have
a Barracks before you can build an Archery Range.
--------
Barracks
--------
The Barracks is used to create and improve infantry. Barracks units can be
garrisoned inside the Barracks if you set a gather point there while the units
are being created. They cannot reenter once ungarrisoned. You must have a
Barracks to build an Archery Range.
----------
Blacksmith
----------
The Blacksmith lets you improve the attack strength and armor of your infantry,
archers, cavalry, and towers. You must have a Blacksmith to build a Siege
Workshop.
-------------
Bombard Tower
-------------
The Bombard Tower has extensive sight to track down enemies. You must research
Chemistry and Bombard Tower (at the University) before you can build Bombard
Towers. Because of the new architecture involved, preexisting towers do not
upgrade to Bombard Towers. Acquiring this technology only allows you to build
Bombard Towers.
------
Castle
------
Costly and time- consuming to construct, the Castle is the strongest defensive
structure. At the Castle you can create and upgrade your civilization's unique
unit and create the powerful Trebuchet siege engine. Several important
military technologies can also be researched at the Castle.
A Castle supports 20 population units and can garrison 20 villagers or military
units (except siege weapons). Units can be garrisoned at any time. You can
garrison unique units by setting a gather point while the units are being
created. Units garrisoned in the Castle heal more quickly than units garrisoned
in other buildings.
----
Dock
----
The Dock is used to build ships, research naval technology, and trade with other
civilizations. It is also where Fishing Ships deposit food. Dock units can be
garrisoned inside the Dock if you set a gather point there while the units are
being created. They cannot renenter once ungarrisoned.
----
Farm
----
Farms provide a renewable source of food. Farms are bult by vilagers, who then
gather food from them. Each farm provides a limited amount of food before it
goes fallow and must be rebuilt. To rebuild a Farm, select a villager, and then
right-click the expired Farm. Before you build Farms, you must build a Mill.
Farms cannot be converted by enemy Monks. You can farm enemy Farms that have
been abandoned.
You can increase the production of your Farms by researching Horse Collar, Heavy
Plow, and Crop Rotation (at the Mill).
---------
Fish Trap
---------
Fish Traps provide a renewable source of food. Fish Traps are available in the
Feudal Age, after you build a Fishing Ship. Fish Traps are built in the water
by Fishing Ships, which then gather food from them. Only one Fishing Ship can
gather from a Fish Trap at a time. Each Fish Trap providesa limited amount of
food before it collapses and must be rebuilt. When a Fish Trap collapses, the
Fishing Ship, and then right- click the expired Fish Trap.
--------------
Fortified Wall
--------------
Fortified Walls are stronger than Stone Walls but expensive to upgrade and slow
to build. In Age of Empires II, fortified Walls do not shoot at enemies.
However, the reinforced stone is difficult to breach without siege weapons.
----
Gate
----
Gates allow your units to pass through walls. You can build Gates over existing
walls, and you can lock or unlock your Gates. You might lock a Gate during an
attack to prevent it from opening accidentally when a friendly unit approaches.
Gates automatically open and close for you and your allies unless they are
locked.
Click on a Gate, and then click the LOCK GATE or UNLOCK GATE button in the lower-
left corner of the screen.
-----------
Guard Tower
-----------
The Guard Tower is an upgrade of the Watch Tower. It is stronger and has greater
fighting ability. Units can garrison inside for protection and to add additional
attack strength to the tower. You can upgrade your Guard Tower to Keeps at the
University.
-----
House
-----
Houses support the population of your civilization. The more Houses you have,
the larger your population can grow. Each House supports 5 population units.
Before you can create new villagers, military units, ships, or Trade Carts, you
must have enough Houses to support them. The population indicator (top of
screen) shows your current/supportable population. It flashes when you need to
build more houses.
----
Keep
----
The Keep is an upgrade of the Guard Tower. It is stronger and has greater
fighting capability. Units can garrison inside for protection and to add
additional attack strength to the tower.
-----------
Lumber Camp
-----------
The Lumber Camp is used to deposit wood and research wood- gathering
improvements. Build Lumber Camps near forests to gather wood faster.
------
Market
------
The Market lets you trade by land with other players, buy and sell resources,
and offer resources to other players as tribute. It is also used to research
technology that improves your communication with allies and decreases the cost of
commodity trading and tributes. You must have a Mill before you build a Market.
----
Mill
----
The Mill is used to deposit food and research technology that improves the food
production of your Farms. Build Mills near sources of food to gather food
faster. You must have a Mill before you can build Farms or a Market.
-----------
Mining Camp
-----------
The Mining Camp is used to deposit stone and gold and research your stone and
gold mining. Build Mining Camps near stone or gold mines to gather these
resources faster.
---------
Monestary
---------
Monestaries let you create Monks and improve their ability to heal the wounded
and convert the enemy. Monestaries cannot be converted by enemy Monks. Relics
garrisoned inside a Monestary provide a continuous supply of gold for your
stockpile. Monks can be garrisoned inside the Monestary if you set a gather
point there while the Monks are being created. They cannot reenter once
ungarrisoned.
-------
Outpost
-------
Outposts are stationary watch points that give you advance warning of enemy
activity nearby. They have a long line of sight, which can be made longer by
researching technologies at the Town Center. Unlike the other towers, Outposts
do not attack or allow you to garrison units inside.
-------------
Palisade Wall
-------------
Palisade Walls are wooden walls that are cheap and fast to build. You can
construct them on the battlefield as temporary barriers to slow down your enemies
and warn you of their approach.
--------------
Siege Workshop
--------------
The Siege Workshop is used to build siege weapons. Siege Workshop units can be
garrisoned inside the Siege Workshop if you set a gather point there while the
units are being created. They cannot reenter once ungarrisoned. You must have
a Blacksmith before you can build a Siege Workshop.
------
Stable
------
The Stable is used to create and improve cavalry. Stable units can be
garrisoned inside the Stable if you ste a gather point there while the units are
being created. They cannot reenter once ungarrisoned. You must have a Barracks
before you can build a Stable.
----------
Stone Wall
----------
Stone Walls are stronger than Palisade Walls but more expensive. They slow down
your enemies and give you the chance to fend them off. You can upgrade your
Stone Walls to Fortified Walls at the University.
-----------
Town Center
-----------
The Town Center is the hub of your civilization. Each Town Center supports 5
population units inside for protection and healing. Town Centers with garrisoned
units also fire arrows at enemy soldiers. After you advance to the Castle Age,
you can build additional Town Centers near remote resources to expand your
civilization. Town Centers cannot be converted by enemy Monks.
You can improve the damage and range of your Town Centers by researching
Fletching, Bodkin Arrow, and Bracer (at the Blacksmith); line of sight by
researching Town Watch and Town Patrol (at the Town Center); and hit points,
armor, and accuracy by researching Masonry, Architecture, and Ballistics (at the
University).
----------
University
----------
The University lets you research technology that improves your buildings, towers,
walls, and missile weapons.
-----------
Watch Tower
-----------
The Watch Tower is a simple stone tower that automatically attacks enemy units
and buildings within its range. Units can garrison inside for protection and
to add additional attack strength to the tower. You can upgrade your Watch
Towers to Guard Towers at the University.
------
Wonder
------
Building a Wonder of the World demonstrates the superiority of your civilization.
A Wonder is expensive and requires a lot of time to build. In most games,
constructing a Wonder that stands for a certain period of time wins the game.
==============================================================================
4. The Units
==============================================================================
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Miscellaneous
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------
Missionary - TC ONLY
--------------------
Spanish unique unit. Moves faster than a Monk, but has less line of sight and
range. Also, a Missionary cannot pick up Relics. Otherwise, it converts enemy
units and heals friendly units the same way as a Monk. The Missionary may be
built at a Monestery once a Spanish Castle has been built. (The Spanish have
two unique units; the other is Conquistador, a cavalry unit.)
Created at: Monestery
Strong vs: Teutonic Knoghts, War Elephants
Weak vs: Archers, Knights, Light Cavalry, Woad Raiders
Upgrades: (All at Monestery)
Convert some buildings, siege units - Redemption
Movement Speed - Fervor
Hit Points - Sanctity
Convert other Monks - Atonement
Greater conversion range - Block Printing
Less Rejuvenation time - Illumination, Theocracy
Units resist enemy Monks, Missionaries - Faith, Heresy
----
Monk
----
Slow and weak. Converts enemy unis, ships, and some buildings to your
civilization (player color). Heals wounded villagers, military units (except
siege weapons and ships).
Created At: Monestary
Strong Vs: Teutonic Knights, War Elephants
Weak Vs: Archers, Knights, Light Cavalry, Woad Raiders
Upgrades: (all at monestary)
Convert some buildings siege units - Redemption
Movement Speed - Fervor
HP - Sanctity
Convert other Monks - Atonement
Greater conversion range - Block Printing
Less Rejuvenation Time - Illumination
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith
-----
Relic
-----
Special objects placed randomly on the map. Can only be moved by Monks. When
garrisoned in a Monestary, generate gold for your civilization. Cannot be
destroyed.
----------
Trade Cart
----------
Carries goods to foreign Markets and brings back gold as profit. Distant Markets
are the most profitable.
Built at: Market
Upgrades: Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
To use a Trade Cart:
Click on the Trade Cart, and then right- click a foreign Market.
--------
Villager
--------
Gathers wood, food, gold, and stone. Builds and repairs buildings, ships, and
siege weapons.
Created at: Town Center
Upgrades: HP, armor, efficiency - Loom, Wheelbarrow, Hand Cart (Town Center)
Attack - Sappers (Castle)
Resource Gathering - Double- Bit Axe, Bow Saw, Two- Man Saw; Stone
Mining, Gold Mining, Stone Shaft Mining, Gold Shaft Mining (Lumber
Camp, Mining Camp); Heavy Plow (Town Center)
Build Speed - Treadmill Crane (University)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
Villagers perform the economic work for your civilization. They chop wood, mine
stone and gold, hunt, forage, fish, herd sheep, and farm. They also construct
buildings and repair damaged buildings, ships, and siege weapons. If necessary,
they can also engage in combat. Villager gender is randomly determined when you
create a new villager. They perform the same tasks regardless of their gender.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Infantry
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------
Berserk & Elite Berserk
-----------------------
Viking unique unit created in Castle Age. Infantry unit that slowly heals
itself. (The Vikings are the only civilization with two unique units. The
Vikings also receive a Longboat, which may be built at the Dock once a Viking
Castle has been built.)
Created at: Castle
Strong Vs: Skirmishers, Camels, Light Cavalry
Weak Vs: Archers, Scorpions, Cavalry Archers, Mangonels, Cataphracts
Upgrades: Attack - Forging, Iron Casting, Blast Furnace (Blacksmith)
Armor - Scale Mail Armor, Chain Mail Armor, Plate Mail Armor
(Blacksmith)
Sight - Tracking (Barracks)
Speed - Squires (Barracks)
Unit Creation Speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
--------
Champion
--------
Strongest infantry unit (aside from sme civilizations' unique units); cheap and
quick to create.
Created at: Barracks
Strong Vs: Skirmishers, Camels, Light Cavalry
Weak Vs: Archers, Scorpions, Cavalry Archers, Mangonels, Cataphracts
Upgrades: Attack - Forging, Iron Casting, Blast Furnace (Blacksmith)
Armor - Scale Mail Armor, Chain Mail Armor, Plate Mail Armor
(Blacksmith)
Sight - Tracking (Barracks)
Speed - Squires (Barracks)
Unit Creation Speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
---------------------------------------------
Eagle Warrior & Elite Eagle Warrior - TC ONLY
---------------------------------------------
Fast infantry with extensive line of sight, piercing armor, resistance to
conversion, attack bonus vs Siege Weapons and mounted units. Civilizations
without cavalry (Aztecs and mayans) start the game with an Eagle Warrior
instead of Scout Cavalry.
Created at: Barracks
Strong Vs: Archers, Monks, Siege Weapons
Weak Vs: Infantry, Hand Cannoneers
Upgrades: HP - El Dorado (Mayan unique Technology at Castle)
Attack - Forging, Iron Casting, Blast Furnace (Blacksmith; Garland
Wars (Aztec unique technology at Castle)
Armor: Scale Mail Armor, Chain Mail Armor, Plate Mail Armor (Blacksmith)
Sight: Tracking (Barracks)
Speed: Squires (Barracks)
Unit Creation Speed: COnscription (Castle)
Unit resist enemy Monks, Missionaries - Faith, Heresy (Monestary)
--------------------
Halberdier - TC ONLY
--------------------
Stronger than Pikemen. Attack bonus vs mounted units and War Elephants
Created at: Barracks
Strong Vs: Mounted units, War Elephants
Weak Vs: Infantry, Archers, Scorpions, Mangonels, Hand Cannoneers
Upgrades: Attack - Forging, Iron Casting, Blast Furnace (Blacksmith)
Armor - Scale Mail Armor, Chain Mail Armor, Plate Mail Armor
(Blacksmith)
Sight - Tracking (Barracks)
Speed - Squires (Barracks)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Unit resist enemy Monks, Missionaries - Faith, Heresy (Monestery)
-----------------------
Huskarl & Elite Huskarl
-----------------------
Gothic unique unit created in Castle Age. Infantry with substantial pierce
armor, virtually immune to archer fire.
Created at: Castle
Strong Vs: Archers
Weak Vs: Swordsmen
Upgrades: Attack - Forging, Iron Casting, Blast Furnace (Blacksmith)
Armor - Scale Mail Armor, Chain Mail Armor, Plate Mail Armor
(Blacksmith)
Sight - Tracking (Barracks)
Speed - Squires (Barracks)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
-----------------------------------------------
Jaguar Warrior & Elite Jaguar Warrior - TC ONLY
-----------------------------------------------
Aztec unique unit. Attak bonus vs. other infantry.
Created at: Castle
Strong vs: Infantry
Weak vs: Archers, Mangonels, Hand Cannoneers, Cavalry Archers
Upgrades: Attack - Forging, Iron Casting, Blast Furnace (Blacksmith); Garland
Wars (Aztec unique technology at Castle)
Armor - Scale Mail Armor, Chain Mail Armor, Plate Mail Armor
(Blacksmith)
Sight - Tracking (Barracks)
Speed - Squires (Barracks)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Units resist enemy Monks, Missionaries - Faith, Heresy (Monestery)
--------------
Long Swordsman
--------------
Stronger than Man- at- Arms; cheap and quick to create.
Created at: Barracks
Strong Vs: Skirmishers, Camels, Light Cavalry
Weak Vs: Archers, Scorpions, Cavalry Archers, Mangonels, Cataphracts
Upgrades: Attack - Forging, Iron Casting, Blast Furnace (Blacksmith)
Armor - Scale Mail Armor, Chain Mail Armor, Plate Mail Arrow
(Blacksmith)
Sight - Tracking (Barracks)
Speed - Squires (Barracks)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
-------------
Man- at- Arms
-------------
Stronger than Militia; cheap and quick to create.
Created at: Barracks
Strong Vs: Skirmishers, Camels, Light Cavalry
Weak Vs: Archers, Scorpions, Cavalry Archers, Mangonels, Cataphracts
Upgrades: Attack - Forging, Iron casting, Blast Furnace (Blacksmith)
Armor - Scale Mail Armor, Chain Mail Armor, Plate Mail Armor
(Blacksmith)
Sight - Tracking (Barracks)
Speed - Squires (Barracks)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
-------
Militia
-------
Most basic infantry unit; cheap and quick to create. Only soldier created in
Dark Age.
Created at: Barracks
Strong Vs: Skirmishers, Camels, Light Cavalry
Weak Vs: Archers, Scorpions, Cavalry Archers, Mongonels, Cataphracts
Upgrades: Attack - Forging, Iron Casting, Blast Furnace (Blacksmith)
Armor - Scale Mail Armor, Chain Mail Armor, Plate Mail Armor
(Blacksmith)
Sight - Tracking (Barracks)
Speed - Squires (Barracks)
Unit Creation Speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
-------
Pikeman
-------
Stronger than Spearmen. Exceptional vs. cavalry.
Created at: Barracks
Strong Vs: Skirmishers, Stable units
Weak Vs: Swordsmen, Archers, Scorpions, Mangonels
Upgrades: Attack - Forging, Iron Casting, Blast Furnace (Blacksmith)
Armor - Scale Mail Armor, Chain Mail Armor, Plate Mail Armor
(Blacksmith)
Sight - Tracking (Barracks)
Speed - Squires (Barracks)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestery)
-----------------------
Samurai & Elite Samurai
-----------------------
Japanese unique unit created in Castle Age. Infantry with fast attack.
Created at: Castle
Strong Vs: Infantry, unique units
Weak Vs: Archers
Upgrades: Attack - Forging, Iron Casting, Blast Furnace (Blacksmith)
Armor - Scale Mail Armor, Chain Mail Armor, Plate Mail Armor
(Blacksmith)
Sight - Tracking (Barracks)
Speed - Squires (Barracks)
Unit Creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
--------
Spearman
--------
Medium infantry unit. Exceptional vs. cavalry.
Created at: Barracks
Strong Vs: Shirmishers, Stable Units
Weak Vs: Swordsmen, Archers, Scorpions, Mangonels
Upgrades: Attack - Forging, Iron Casting, Blast Furnace (Blacksmith)
Armor - Scale Mail Armor, Chain Mail, Armor, Plate Mail Armor
(Blacksmith)
Sight - Tracking (Barracks)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
---------------------------------------
Teutonic Knight & Elite Teutonic Knight
---------------------------------------
Teutonic unique unit created in Castle Age. Powerful armor; slow but difficult
to destroy. Receives benefits of infantry armor.
Created at: Castle
Strong Vs: Swordsmen, Skirmishers, Stable Units
Weak Vs: Archers, Scorpions, Cavalry Archers, Mangonels, Monks
Upgrades: Attack - Forging, Iron Casting, Blast Furnace (Blacksmith)
Armor - Scale Mail Armor, Chain Mail Armor, Plate Mail Armor
(Blacksmith)
Sight - Tracking (Barracks)
Speed - Squires (Barracks)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
---------------------------------------
Throwing Axemen & Elite Throwing Axemen
---------------------------------------
Frank unit created in Castle Age. Ranged attack.
Created at: Castle
Strong Vs: Barracks units, Shirmishers
Weak Vs: Archers
Upgrades: Attack - Forging, Iron Casting, Blast Furnace (Blacksmith)
Armor - Scale Mail Armor, Chain Mail Armor, Plate Mail Armor
(Blacksmith)
Sight - Tracking (Barracks)
Speed - Squires (Barracks)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
---------------------
Two- Handed Swordsman
---------------------
Stronger than Long Swordsman; cheap and quick to create.
Created at: Barracks
Strong Vs: Shirmishers, Camels, Light Cavalry
Weak Vs: Archers, Scorpions, Cavalry Archers, Mangonels, Cataphracts
Upgrades: Attack - Forging, Iron Casting, Blast Furnace (Blacksmith)
Armor - Scale Mail Armor, Chain Mail Armor, Plate Mail Armor
(Blacksmith)
Sight - Tracking (Barracks)
Speed - Squires (Barracks)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
-------------------------------
Woad Raider & Elite Woad Raider
-------------------------------
Celtic unique unit created in Castle Age. Exceptionally quick infantry unit.
Created at: Castle
Strong Vs: Shirmishers, Camels, Light Cavalry
Weak Vs: Archers, Scorpions, Cavalry Archers, Mangonels, Cataphracts
Upgrades: Attack - Forging, Iron Casting, Blast Furnace (Blacksmith)
Armor - Scale Mail Armor, Chain Mail Armor, Plate Mail Armor
(Blacksmith)
Sight - Tracking (Barracks)
Speed - Squires (Barracks)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Archery
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------
Arbalest
--------
Quick and light. Weak at close range; excels at battle from a distance.
Created at: Archery Range
Strong Vs: Barracks Units, Cavalry Archers, Monks, Teutonic Knights, War Elephants
Weak Vs: Shirmishers, Knights, Mangonels, Woad Raiders, Huskarls
Upgrades: Attack - Chemistry (University)
Attack Range - Fletching, Bodkin Arrow, Braer (Blacksmith)
Armor - Padded Archer Armor, Leather Archer Armor, Ring Archer Armor
(Blacksmith)
Targeting - Ballistics (University)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
------
Archer
------
Quick and light. Weak at close range; excels at battle from a distance.
Created at: Archery Range
Strong Vs: Barracks Units, Cavalry Archers, Monks, Teutonic Knights, War Elephants
Weak Vs: Shirmishers, Knights, Mangonels, Woad Raiders, Huskarls
Upgrades: Attack - Chemistry (University)
Attack Range - Fletching, Bodkin Arrow, Braer (Blacksmith)
Armor - Padded Archer Armor, Leather Archer Armor, Ring Archer Armor
(Blacksmith)
Targeting - Ballistics (University)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
--------------
Cavalry Archer
--------------
Fast, with ranged attack. Ideal for hit- and- run attacks.
Created at: Archery Range
Strong Vs: Swordsmen, Monks, Teutonic Knights, War Elephants
Weak Vs: Shirmishers, Archers, Light Cavalry
Upgrades: Attack - Chemistry (University)
Attack Range - Fletching, Bodkin Arrow, Braer (Blacksmith)
Armor - Padded Archer Armor, Leather Archer Armor, Ring Archer Armor
(Blacksmith)
Targeting - Ballistics (University)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
---------------------------
Chu Ko Nu & Elite Chu Ko Nu
---------------------------
Chinese unique unit created in Castle Age. Archer with mediocre range with
causes great damage. Can fire arrows very quickly.
Created at: Castle
Strong Vs: Barracks Units, Monks, Teutonic Knights, War Elephants, Cavalry Archers
Weak Vs: Shirmishers, Knights, Light Cavalry, Mangonels, Woad Raiders, Huskarls
Upgrades: Attack - Chemistry (University)
Attack Range - Fletching, Bodkin Arrow, Braer (Blacksmith)
Armor - Padded Archer Armor, Leather Archer Armor, Ring Archer Armor
(Blacksmith)
Targeting - Ballistics (University)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
-------------------------------------------
Conquistador & Elite Conquistador - TC ONLY
-------------------------------------------
Spanish unique unit. Cavalry hand cannoneer. Powerful close attack; not
accurate at range. (The Spanish have two unique units; the other is the
Missionary, a Monk unit.)
Created at: Castle
Strong vs: Swordsmen, Monks, Teutonic Knights, War Elephants
Weak vs: Knights, Camels, Pikemen
Upgrades: Armor - Padded Archer Armor, Leather Archer Armor, Ring Archer Armor
(Blacksmith)
Hit Points - Bloodlines (Stable)
Speed - Husbandry (Stable)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Units resist enemy Monks, Missionaries - Faith, Heresy (Monestery)
-----------
Crossbowman
-----------
Quick and light. Weak at close range; excels at battle from a distance.
Created at: Archery Range
Strong Vs: Barracks Units, Cavalry Archers, Monks, Teutonic Knights, War
Elephants
Weak Vs: Shirmishers, Knights, Mangonels, Woad Raiders, Huskarls
Upgrades: Attack - Chemistry (University)
Attack Range - Fletching, Bodkin Arrow, Braer (Blacksmith)
Armor - Padded Archer Armor, Leather Archer Armor, Ring Archer Armor
(Blacksmith)
Targeting - Ballistics (University)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
----------------
Elite Skirmisher
----------------
Ranged unit equipped with armor vs archer attacks. Exceptional Vs. archers.
Created at: Archery Range
Strong Vs: Archers, Monks, Cavalry Archers
Weak Vs: Mangonels, Barracks units
Upgrades: Attack - Chemistry (University)
Attack Range - Fletching, Bodkin Arrow, Braer (Blacksmith)
Armor - Padded Archer Armor, Leather Archer Armor, Ring Archer Armor
(Blacksmith)
Targeting - Ballistics (University)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
--------------
Hand Cannoneer
--------------
Powerful close range; innacurate at range. Keeps non-ranged units from closing
on other units. Requires Chemistry.
Created at: Archery Range
Strong Vs: Barracks Units, Monks, Teutonic Knights
Weak Vs: Archers, Mangonels
Upgrades: Attack - Chemistry (University)
Attack Range - Fletching, Bodkin Arrow, Braer (Blacksmith)
Armor - Padded Archer Armor, Leather Archer Armor, Ring Archer Armor
(Blacksmith)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
--------------------
Heavy Cavalry Archer
--------------------
Fast, with ranged attack. Ideal for hit- and- run attacks.
Created at: Archery Range
Strong Vs: Swordsmen, Monks, Teutonic Knights, War Elephants
Weak Vs: Shirmishers, Archers, Light Cavalry
Upgrades: Attack - Chemistry (University)
Attack Range - Fletching, Bodkin Arrow, Braer (Blacksmith)
Armor - Padded Archer Armor, Leather Archer Armor, Ring Archer Armor
(Blacksmith)
Targeting - Ballistics (University)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
---------------------------
Janissary & Elite Janissary
---------------------------
Turk unique unit created in Castle Age. Hand Cannoneer with lower and no minimum
range. Powerful close attack; inaccurate at range. Keeps non-ranged units from
closing on other units.
Created at: Castle
Strong Vs: Barracks Units, Monks, Teutonic Knights
Weak Vs: Archers, Mangonels
Upgrades: Attack - Chemistry (University)
Attack Range - Fletching, Bodkin Arrow, Braer (Blacksmith)
Armor - Padded Archer Armor, Leather Archer Armor, Ring Archer Armor
(Blacksmith)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
-----------------------------
Longbowman & Elite Longbowman
-----------------------------
Briton unique unit created in Castle Age. Powerful with long range.
Created at: Castle
Strong Vs: Barracks Units, Monks, Teutonic Knights, War Elephants, Cavalry Archers
Weak Vs: Shirmishers, Knights, Mangonels, Woad Raiders, Huskarls
Upgrades: Attack - Chemistry (University)
Attack Range - Fletching, Bodkin Arrow, Braer (Blacksmith)
Armor - Padded Archer Armor, Leather Archer Armor, Ring Archer Armor
(Blacksmith)
Targeting - Ballistics (University)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
-------------------------
Mangudai & Elite Mangudai
-------------------------
Mongol unique unit created in Castle Age. Cavalry archer with attack bonus vs.
siege weapons.
Created at: Castle
Strong Vs: Swordsmen, Monks, Teutonic Knights, War Elephants, Siege Weapons
Weak Vs: Shirmishers, Archers, Light Cavalry
Upgrades: Attack - Chemistry (University)
Attack Range - Fletching, Bodkin Arrow, Braer (Blacksmith)
Armor - Padded Archer Armor, Leather Archer Armor, Ring Archer Armor
(Blacksmith)
Targeting - Ballistics (University)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
---------------------------------------------
Plumed Archer & Elite Plumed Archer - TC ONLY
---------------------------------------------
Mayan unique unit. Stronger, faster, and better armored than other archers, but
have less attack.
Created at: Castle
Strong vs: Other Archers, Slow Units (Monks, Teutonic Knights, War Elephants)
Weak vs: Cavalry, Skirmishers, Other Fast Units (Eagle Warriors, Woad Raiders)
Upgrades: Attack - Chemistry (University
Attack, Range - Fletching, Bodkin Arrow, Bracer (Blacksmith)
Armor - Padded Archer Armor, Leather Archer Armor, Ring Archer Armor
(Blacksmith)
Targeting - Ballistics (University), Thumb Ring (Archery Range)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Units resist enemy Monks, Missionaries - Faith, Heresy (Monestery)
----------
Skirmisher
----------
Ranged unit equipped with armor vs. archer attacks. Exceptional vs Archers.
Created at: Archery Range
Strong Vs: Archers, Monks, Cavalry Archers
Weak Vs: Mangonels, Barracks units
Upgrades: Attack - Chemistry (University)
Attack Range - Fletching, Bodkin Arrow, Braer (Blacksmith)
Armor - Padded Archer Armor, Leather Archer Armor, Ring Archer Armor
(Blacksmith)
Targeting - Ballistics (University)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
-------------------------------------
War Wagon & Elite War Wagon - TC ONLY
-------------------------------------
Korean unique unit. Heavily armored archery unit. (The Koreans have two unique
units; the other is the Turtle Ship, a Dock unit.)
Created at: Castle
Strong vs: Infantry, Archers
Weak vs: Cavalry, Skirmishers, Pikemen, Camels
Upgrades: Attack - Chemisty (University)
Attack, Range - Fletching, Bodkin Arrow, Bracer (Blacksmith)
Armor - Padded Archer Armor, Leather Archer Armor, Ring Archer Armor
(Blacksmith)
Targeting - Ballistics (University), Thumb Ring (Archery Range)
Speed - Husbandry (Stable)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Units resist enemy Monks, Missionaries - Faith (Monestery)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cavalry
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----
Camel
-----
Excels at killing other mounted units
Created: Stable
Strong Vs: Knights, Cataphracts
Weak Vs: Infantry, Archers
Upgrades: Attack - Forging, Iron Casting, Metallurgy (Blacksmith)
Armor - Scale Barding Armor, Chain Barding Armor, Plate Barding Armor
(Blacksmith)
Speed - Husbandry (Stable)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
--------
Cavalier
--------
Heavy and quick.
Created: Stable
Strong Vs: Archers
Weak Vs: Pikemen, Knights, Camels
Upgrades: Attack - Forging, Iron Casting, Metallurgy (Blacksmith)
Armor - Scale Barding Armor, Chain Barding Armor, Plate Barding Armor
(Blacksmith)
Speed - Husbandry (Stable)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
-----------------------------
Cataphract & Elite Cataphract
-----------------------------
Byzantine unique unit created in Castle Age. Heavily armored. Attack bonus vs.
infantry.
Created: Castle
Strong Vs: Archers, Swordsmen
Weak Vs: Knights, Camels
Upgrades: Attack - Forging, Iron Casting, Metallurgy (Blacksmith)
Armor - Scale Barding Armor, Chain Barding Armor, Plate Barding Armor
(Blacksmith)
Speed - Husbandry (Stable)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
-------------
Heavy Cavalry
-------------
Excels at killing other mounted units
Created: Stable
Strong Vs: Knights, Cataphracts
Weak Vs: Infantry, Archers
Upgrades: Attack - Forging, Iron Casting, Metallurgy (Blacksmith)
Armor - Scale Barding Armor, Chain Barding Armor, Plate Barding Armor
(Blacksmith)
Speed - Husbandry (Stable)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
----------------
Hussar - TC ONLY
----------------
Stronger than Light Cavalry; attack bonus vs. Monks; resistant to conversion.
Created at: Stable
Strong vs: Archers, Cavalry Archers, Siege Weapons, Monks
Weak vs: Pikemen, Knights, Camels
Upgrades: Attack - Forging, Iron Casting, Blast Furnace (Blacksmith)
Armor - Scale Barding Armor, Chain Barding Armor, Plate Barding Armor
(Blacksmith)
Hit Points - Bloodlines (Stable)
Speed - Husbandry (Stable)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Units resist enemy Monks, Missionaries - Faith, Heresy (Monestery)
------
Knight
------
Heavy and quick.
Created: Stable
Strong Vs: Archers
Weak Vs: Pikemen, mamelukes, Camels
Upgrades: Attack - Forging, Iron Casting, Metallurgy (Blacksmith)
Armor - Scale Barding Armor, Chain Barding Armor, Plate Barding Armor
(Blacksmith)
Speed - Husbandry (Stable)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
-------------
Light Cavalry
-------------
Fast with greater line of sight than Scout Cavalry; resistant to conversion.
Created: Stable
Strong Vs: Archers, Mangonels, Cavalry Archers, Bombard Cannons, Monks
Weak Vs: Pikemen, Knights, Camels
Upgrades: Attack - Forging, Iron Casting, Metallurgy (Blacksmith)
Armor - Scale Barding Armor, Chain Barding Armor, Plate Barding Armor
(Blacksmith)
Speed - Husbandry (Stable)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
-------------------------
Mameluke & Elite Mameluke
-------------------------
Saracen unique unit created in Castle Age. Camel with ranged attack. Excels vs.
other mounted units.
Created: Castle
Strong Vs: Monks, Barracks Units, Teutonic Knights
Weak Vs: Archers, Mangonels
Upgrades: Attack - Forging, Iron Casting, Metallurgy (Blacksmith)
Armor - Scale Barding Armor, Chain Barding Armor, Plate Barding Armor
(Blacksmith)
Speed - Husbandry (Stable)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
-------
Paladin
-------
Heavy and quick.
Created: Stable
Strong Vs: Archers
Weak Vs: Pikemen, Knights, Camels
Upgrades: Attack - Forging, Iron Casting, Metallurgy (Blacksmith)
Armor - Scale Barding Armor, Chain Barding Armor, Plate Barding Armor
(Blacksmith)
Speed - Husbandry (Stable)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
-------------
Scout Cavalry
-------------
Fast with extensive sight; resistant to conversion.
Created: Stable
Strong Vs: Archers, Mangonels, Cavalry Archers, Bombard Cannons, Monks
Weak Vs: Pikemen, Knights, Camels
Upgrades: Attack - Forging, Iron Casting, Metallurgy (Blacksmith)
Armor - Scale Barding Armor, Chain Barding Armor, Plate Barding Armor
(Blacksmith)
Speed - Husbandry (Stable)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
-------------------------------
Tarkan & Elite Tarkan - TC ONLY
-------------------------------
Hun unique unit. Cavalry that is particularly effective against buildings,
making Tarkans excelent vandals.
Created at: Castle
Strong vs: Buildings, Archers, Mangonels, Cavalry Archers, Siege Weapons, Monks
Weak vs: Pikemen, Knights, Camels
Upgrades: Attack - Forging, Iron Casting, Metallurgy (Blacksmith)
Armor - Scale Barding Armor, Chain Barding Armor, Plate Barding Armor
(Blacksmith)
Hit Points - Bloodlines (Stable)
Speed - Husbandry (Stable)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Units resist enemy Monks, Missionaries - Faith, Heresy (Monestery)
---------------------------------
War Elephant & Elite War Elephant
---------------------------------
Persian unique unit created in Castle Age. Slow, powerful, well armored, and
difficult to destroy. Elite War Elephant causes area off effect damage, can
hit several adjacent targets automatically.
Created: Castle
Strong Vs: Archers, Swordsmen
Weak Vs: Pikemen, Camels, Monks, Mamelukes
Upgrades: Attack - Forging, Iron Casting, Metallurgy (Blacksmith)
Armor - Scale Barding Armor, Chain Barding Armor, Plate Barding Armor
(Blacksmith)
Speed - Husbandry (Stable)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monestary)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Siege Weapons
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------
Battering Ram
-------------
Slow, lumbering; reduces enemy town to ruins.
Built at: Siege Workshop
Strong Vs: Archers, Cavalry Archers
Weak Vs: Stable Units, Barrack Units
Upgrades: Attack - Siege Engineers (University)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monastary)
--------------
Bombard Cannon
--------------
Powerful mobile anti- building siege weapon. Requires Chemistry.
Built at: Siege Workshop
Strong Vs: Barracks Units, Archers, Monks, Skirmishers
Weak Vs: Stable Units, Woad Raiders
Upgrades: Attack Range - Siege Engineers (University)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monastary)
----------
Capped Ram
----------
Slow, lumbering; reduces enemy towns to ruins.
Built at: Siege Workshop
Strong Vs: Archers, Cavalry Archers
Weak Vs: Stable Units, Stable Units
Upgrades: Attack - Siege Engineers (University)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monastary)
--------
Mongonel
--------
Wheeled siege weapon used to attack a small mass of units. Area of effect
attack.
Built at: Siege Workshop
Strong Vs: Barracks Units, Archers
Weak Vs: Stable Units, Woad Raiders
Upgrades: Attack - Chemistry (University)
Attack Range - Siege Engineers (University)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monastery)
------
Onager
------
Wheeled siege weapon used to attack a small mass of units. Area of effect
attack.
Built at: Siege Workshop
Strong Vs: Barracks Units, Archers
Weak Vs: Stable Units, Woad Raiders
Upgrades: Attack - Chemistry (University)
Attack Range - Siege Engineers (University)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monastery)
----------------
Petard - TC ONLY
----------------
Demolition infantry unit armed with explosives. Devastating to buildings;
ineffective against other units.
Created at: Castle
Strong vs: Buildings, Walls, Siege Weapons
Weak vs: Archers, Scorpions, Cavalry Archers, Mangonels
Upgrades: Attack - Siege Engineers (University)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Units resist enemy Monks, Missionaries - Faith, Heresy (Monestery)
-------------------------
Scorpion & Heavy Scorpion
-------------------------
Fires large arrow- like bolts. Effective vs. large masses of units; shots hit
multiple units causing damage to all units they touch.
Built at: Siege Workshop
Strong Vs: Barracks Units, Archers, Monks
Weak Vs: Stable Units, Woad Raiders
Upgrades: Attack - Chemistry (University)
Attack Range - Fletching, Bodkin Arrow, Bracer (Blacksmith)
Tracking - Ballistics (University)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monastary)
------------
Siege Onager
------------
Wheeled siege weapon used to attack a small mass of units. Area of effect
attack. Siege Onagers can cut paths through forests.
Built at: Siege Workshop
Strong Vs: Barracks Units, Archers
Weak Vs: Stable Units, Woad Raiders
Upgrades: Attack - Chemistry (University)
Attack Range - Siege Engineers (University)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monastery)
---------
Siege Ram
---------
Slow, lumbering; reduces enemy towns to ruins.
Built at: Siege Workshop
Strong Vs: Archers, Cavalry Archers
Weak Vs: Stable Units, Stable Units
Upgrades: Attack - Siege Engineers (University)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monastary)
---------
Trebuchet
---------
Powerful; destroys buildings, walls from a distance. Canot fire on close units.
Must be packed to move, unpacked to attack. Can cut paths through forests.
Built at: Castle
Strong Vs: Archers, Skirmishers
Weak Vs: Swordsmen, Stable Units, Mangudai, Woad Raiders
Upgrades: Attack - Chemistry (University)
Attack Range - Siege Engineers (University)
Unit creation speed - Conscription (Castle)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monastery)
To pack/unpack a Trebuchet: Click the Trebuchet, and then click the PACK or
UNPACK button.
To attack with a packed Trebuchet: Click the Trebuchet, and then right- click an
enemy target. The Trebuchet moves within range of the enemy target, unpacks,
and begins attacking.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boats
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
Cannon Galleon & Elite Cannon Galleon
-------------------------------------
Long- range warship used to attack targets on shore to establish a beachhead.
Fires slowly, with minimum range. Requires Chemistry.
Built at: Dock
Weak Vs: Galleys, Fire Ships, Demolition Ships
Upgrades: Armor - Careening (Dock)
Speed - Dry Dock (Dock)
Lower Cost - Shipwright (Dock)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monastery)
---------------------------------------
Demolition Ship & Heavy Demolition Ship
---------------------------------------
Filled with explosives. Pilot near enemy ships and detonate to wrest control of
the sea from an entrenched opponent.
Built at: Dock
Strong Vs: Fire Ships
Weak Vs: Galleys, Longboats, Bombard Cannons
Upgrades: Armor - Careening (Dock)
Speed - Dry Dock (Dock)
Lower Cost - Shipwright (Dock)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monastery)
--------------------------
Fire Ship & Fast Fire Ship
--------------------------
Spew fire at other ships.
Built at: Dock
Strong Vs: Galleys, Longboats
Weak Vs: Demolition Ships
Upgrades: Armor - Careening (Dock)
Speed - Dry Dock (Dock)
Lower Cost - Shipwright (Dock)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monastery)
------------
Fishing Ship
------------
Gathers food from jumping fish and Fist Traps; automatically returns fish to
Dock. Can build Fish Traps.
Built at: Dock
Upgrades: Armor - Careening (Dock)
Speed - Dry Dock (Dock)
Lower Cost - Shipwright (Dock)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monastery)
-------
Galleon
-------
Improved combat ship.
Built at: Dock
Strong Vs: Demolition Ships, Cannon Galleons
Weak Vs: Fire Ships, Bombard Cannons
Upgrades: Attack - Chemistry (University)
Attack Range - Fletching, Bodkin Arrow, Bracer (Blacksmith)
Armor - Careening (Dock)
Speed - Dry Dock (Dock)
Targeting - Ballistics (University)
Lower Cost - Shipwright (Dock)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monastery)
------
Galley
------
Small, basic, fast ship with weak attack. Scouts water for early attacks and
enemy fishing fleets.
Built at: Dock
Strong Vs: Demolition Ships, Cannon Galleons
Weak Vs: Fire Ships, Bombard Cannons
Upgrades: Attack - Chemistry (University)
Attack Range - Fletching, Bodkin Arrow, Bracer (Blacksmith)
Armor - Careening (Dock)
Speed - Dry Dock (Dock)
Targeting - Ballistics (University)
Lower Cost - Shipwright (Dock)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monastery)
-------------------------
Longboat & Elite Longboat
-------------------------
Viking unique unit created in Castle Age. Vikings are the only civilization to
possess two unique units. The Viking Longboat may be built at a Dock once a
Viking Castle has been built.
Built at: Dock
Strong Vs: Demolition Ships, Cannon Galleons
Weak Vs: Fire Ships, Bombard Cannons
Upgrades: Attack - Chemistry (University)
Attack Range - Fletching, Bodkin Arrow, Bracer (Blacksmith)
Armor - Careening (Dock)
Speed - Dry Dock (Dock)
Targeting - Ballistics (University)
Lower Cost - Shipwright (Dock)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monastery)
---------
Trade Cog
---------
Trades by sea; takes goods from your Dock to a foreign Dock and brings back gold.
The farther the Dock, the higher your profit.
Built at: Dock
Upgrades: Armor - Careening (Dock)
Speed - Dry Dock (Dock)
Lower Cost - Shipwright (Dock)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monastery)
To trade using a Trade Cog: Click the Trade Cog, and then right- click a foreign
Dock.
--------------
Transport Ship
--------------
Moves units across water.
Built at: Dock
Upgrades: Armor and Capacity - Careening (Dock)
Speed and Capacity - Dry Dock (Dock)
Lower Cost - Shipwright (Dock)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monastery)
-----------------------------------------
Turtle Ship & Elite Turtle Ship - TC ONLY
-----------------------------------------
Korean unique unit. Slow, heavily armored battleship; effective for destroying
other ships at close range. The Turtle Ship may be built at a Dock once a
Korean Castle has been built. (The Koreans have two unique units; the other is
the War Wagon, an archery unit.)
Built at: Dock
Strong vs: Fire SHips, Demolition Ships
Weak vs: Bombard Cannons, Monks
Upgrades: Armor - Careening (Dock)
Speed - Dry Dock (Dock)
Lower Cost - Shipwright (Dock)
Units resist enemy Monks, Missionaries - Faith, Heresy (Monestery)
----------
War Galley
----------
Medium combat ship.
Built at: Dock
Strong Vs: Demolition Ships, Cannon Galleons
Weak Vs: Fire Ships, Bombard Cannons
Upgrades: Attack - Chemistry (University)
Attack Range - Fletching, Bodkin Arrow, Bracer (Blacksmith)
Armor - Careening (Dock)
Speed - Dry Dock (Dock)
Targeting - Ballistics (University)
Lower Cost - Shipwright (Dock)
Your units resistant to other Monks - Faith (Monastery)
==============================================================================
5. Technologies
==============================================================================
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blacksmith
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------
Blast Furnace
-------------
Blast Furnace increases the attach strength of your infantry and cavalry units
even more than Iron Casting
------------
Bodkin Arrow
------------
Bodkin Arrow increases the attack strength and range of scorpions, Archery
Range units, towers, Town Center, Castle, and ships (except those using
gunpowder weapons).
------
Bracer
------
Bracer increases the attack strength and range of scorpions, Archery Range
units, towers, Town Center, Castle, and ships (except those using gunpowder
weapons).
-------------------
Chain Barding Armor
-------------------
Chain Barding Armor increases the armor of your cavalry unite even more than
Scale Barding Armor.
----------------
Chain Mail Armor
----------------
Chain Mail Armor increases the armor of your infantry units even more than Scale
Mail Armor.
---------
Fletching
---------
Fletching increases the attack strength and range of scorpions, Archery Range
units, towers, Town Center, Castle, and ships (except those using gunpowder
weapons).
------------
Iron Casting
------------
Iron Casting increases the attack strength of your infantry and cavalry units
even more than Forging.
--------------------
Leather Archer Armor
--------------------
Leather Archer Armor increases the armor of your archers even more than Padded
Archer Armor.
-------------------
Padded Archer Armor
-------------------
Padded Archer Armor increases the armor of your archers.
-------------------
Plate Barding Armor
-------------------
Plate Barding Armor increases the armor of your cavalry units even more than
Chain Barding Armor.
----------------
Plate Mail Armor
----------------
Plate Mail Armor increases the armor of your infantry units even more than
Chain Mail Armor.
-----------------
Ring Archer Armor
-----------------
Ring Archer Armor increases the armor of your archers even more than Leather
Archer Armor.
-------------------
Scale Barding Armor
-------------------
Scale Barding Armor increases the armor of your cavalry units, including Cavalry
Archers, Mangudai, and War Elephants.
----------------
Scale Mail Armor
----------------
Scale Mail Armor increases the armor of your infantry units.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mill
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------
Crop Rotation
-------------
Crop Rotation increases the amount of food your Farms produce even more than the
Heavy Plow.
----------
Heavy Plow
----------
Heavy Plow increases the amount of food your Farms produce even more than Horse
Collar.
------------
Horse Collar
------------
Horse Collar increases the amount of food your Farms produce before they go
fallow and must be rebuilt.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
University
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------
Architecture
------------
Architecture makes your buildings even stronger than Masonry.
----------
Ballistics
----------
Ballistics improves how accurate scorpions, archers, galleys, and towers are in
hitting moving targets.
---------
Chemistry
---------
Chemistry increases the attack strength of all non- gunpowder missile weapons.
You must research Chemistry to build gunpowder units (Bombard Tower, Bombard
Cannon, Hand Cannoneer, and Cannon Galleon). After researching Chemistry,
missile weapons fire flaming arrows.
-----------
Heated Shot
-----------
Heated Shot increases the damage towers cause to ships.
-------
Masonry
-------
Masonry makes your buildings stronger so they can take more damage in combat.
------------
Murder Holes
------------
Murder Holes eliminates the minimum range of towers (except Bombard Towers) and
Castles so they can fire at soldiers attacking their base.
---------------
Siege Engineers
---------------
Siege Engineers increases the damage siege weapons cause to buildings as well
as range.
---------------
Treadmill Crane
---------------
Treadmill Crane makes villagers construct buildings faster.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monestary
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------
Atonement
---------
Atonement lets your Monks convert enemy Monks.
---------------
Block Lettering
---------------
Block Printing lets your Monks convert enemy units from farther away.
-----
Faith
-----
Faith makes your units harder for enemy Monks to convert.
------
Fervor
------
Fervor makes your Monks move faster.
-------------------------
Herbal Medicine - TC ONLY
-------------------------
Herbal Medicine increases the healing speed of units garrisoned units inside
buildings.
----------------
Heresy - TC ONLY
----------------
Heresy causes units to die instead of being converted by an enemy Monk or
Missionary. You still lose the unit, but your enemy doesn't get it.
------------
Illumination
------------
Illumination decreases the time your Monks need to rest before attempting
another conversion.
----------
Redemption
----------
Redemption lets your Monks convert enemy buildings (except Town Centers, Castles,
Monestaries, Farms, Fish Traps, walls, towers, Gates, and Wonders) and siege
weapons. Monks can convert most enemy units from a distance; however, they must
stand adjacent to buildings, rams, and Trebuchets.
--------
Sanctity
--------
Sanctity increases the hit points of your Monks.
-------------------
Theocracy - TC ONLY
-------------------
When a group of Monks (or Missionaries) converts an enemy unit, only one Monk
loses its faith and must rest before attempting another conversion. Greatly
enhances the power of a group of Monks and redices micro-management.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barracks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------
Squires
-------
Squires make your infantry units move faster.
--------
Tracking
--------
Tracking lets your infantry units see farther away.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Town Center
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------
Hand Cart
---------
Hand Cart makes villagers move faster and carry more resources.
----
Loom
----
Loom makes your villagers harder to kill.
-----------
Town Patrol
-----------
Town Patrol lets your buildings see enemies from even farther away than Town
Watch.
----------
Town Watch
----------
Town Watch lets your buildings see enemies farther away so you have more warning
of their approach.
-----------
Wheelbarrow
-----------
Wheelbarrow makes your villagers move faster and carry more resources so they
work more efficiently.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Castle
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
Anarchy - TC ONLY - Goths Only
------------------------------
Anarchy allows Huskarls to be created at the Barracks.
--------------------------------
Artillery - TC ONLY - Turks Only
--------------------------------
Artillery increases the range of Bombard Towers, Bombard Canons, and Cannon
Galleons.
-----------------------------
Atheism - TC ONLY - Huns Only
-----------------------------
Atheism makes Relic and Wonder victories take longer for all players and reduces
the cost of Spies technology.
-----------------------------------
Bearded Axe - TC ONLY - Franks Only
-----------------------------------
Bearded Axe increases the range of Throwing Axemen.
--------------------------------------
Berserkergang - TC ONLY - Vikings Only
--------------------------------------
Berserkergang improves the regeneration rate of Berserks.
------------
Conscription
------------
Conscription decreases the time required to create units at the Barracks, Stable,
Archery Range, and Castle.
--------------------------------------
Crenellations - TC ONLY - Spanish Only
--------------------------------------
Crenellations increases the range of Castles and increases the attack of Castles,
Towers, and Town Centers by allowing garrisoned infantry to fire arrows as if
they were villagers.
--------------------------------
Drill - TC ONLY - Mangonels Only
--------------------------------
Drill increases the movement speed of Siege Workshop units.
---------------------------------
El Dorado - TC ONLY - Mayans Only
---------------------------------
El Dorado inceases the hit points of Eagle Warriors.
------------------------------------
Furor Celtica - TC ONLY - Celts Only
------------------------------------
Furor Celtica increases the hit points of Siege Workshop units.
------------------------------------
Garland Wars - TC ONLY - Aztecs Only
------------------------------------
Garland Wars increases the attack of all infantry.
---------
Hoardings
---------
Hoardings make your Castles stronger.
------------------------------------
Kataparuto - TC ONLY - Japanese Only
------------------------------------
Kataparuto makes Trebuchets fire and pack/un-pack faster.
-------------------------------------
Logistica - TC ONLY - Byzantines Only
-------------------------------------
Logistica gives Cataphracts trample damage.
---------------------------------
Mahouts - TC ONLY - Persians Only
---------------------------------
Mahouts increases the speed of War Elephants.
--------------------------------
Perfusion - TC ONLY - Goths Only
--------------------------------
Perfusion increases the creation speed of Barracks units.
---------------------------------
Rocketry - TC ONLY - Chinese Only
---------------------------------
Rocketry increases the piercing attack of Chu Ko Nu and scorpions.
-------
Sappers
-------
Sappers increases the damage villagers cause when they attack buildings.
-----------------------------------
Shinkichon - TC ONLY - Koreans Only
-----------------------------------
Shinkichon increases the range of Mangonels.
-----
Spies
-----
Spies lets you see what your enemies have explored and share their unit line of
sight. You can purchase the Spies technology for gold. By paying a fee
dependent on the number of enemy villagers in existence, you can learn the exact
location of each unit and building still in play.
----------------------------------
Supremacy - TC ONLY - Spanish Only
----------------------------------
Supremacy increases the combat skills of villagers, which makes them good
front-line builders.
-------------------------------
Yeomen - TC ONLY - Britons Only
-------------------------------
Yeomen increases the range of archers and the attack of towers.
----------------------------------
Zealotry - TC ONLY - Saracens Only
----------------------------------
Zealotry increases the hit points of camels and Mamelukes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mining Camp
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------
Gold Mining
-----------
Gold Mining makes villagers mine gold faster.
-----------------
Gold Shaft Mining
-----------------
Gold Shaft Mining makes villagers mine gold even faster than Gold Mining.
------------
Stone Mining
------------
Stone Mining makes villagers mine stone faster.
------------------
Stone Shaft Mining
------------------
Stone Shaft Mining makes villagers mine stone even faster than Stone Mining.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lumber Camp
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Double- Bit Axe
---------------
Double- Bit Axe makes villagers chop wood faster.
-------
Bow Saw
-------
Bow Saw makes villagers chop wood even faster than Double- Bit Axe.
------------
Two- Man Saw
------------
Two- Man Saw makes villagers chop wood even faster than the Bow Saw.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Market
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------
Banking
-------
Banking eliminates the cost of sending a tribute to resources to another player.
-----------------
Caravan - TC ONLY
-----------------
Caravan increases the speed of Trade Carts and Trade Cogs so they gather gold
faster.
-----------
Cartography
-----------
Cartography lets you share exploration and unit line of sight with your allies
so you see what they have explored. (Before your allies see what you've explored,
they must research Cartography, too.)
-------
Coinage
-------
Coinage decreases the cost of sending a tribute of resources to another player.
------
Guilds
------
Guilds reduces the cost of buying and selling resources at the Market.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stable
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------
Bloodlines - TC ONLY
--------------------
Bloodlines increases the hit points of all mounted units.
---------
Husbandry
---------
Husbandry increases spped of all cavalry units.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dock
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------
Careening
---------
Careening increases the pierce armor of ships and the number of units Transport
Ships can carry.
--------
Dry Dock
--------
Dry Dock makes your ships faster and increases the number of units Transport
Ships can carry.
----------
Shipwright
----------
Shipwright decreases the amount of wood required to build ships.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Archery Range
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------
Parthian Tactics - TC ONLY
--------------------------
Parthian Tactics increases the normal and piercing armor of mounted archers.
--------------------
Thumb Ring - TC ONLY
--------------------
Thumb Ring increases the rate of fire and accuracy of archers.
==============================================================================
6. History
==============================================================================
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aztecs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Political control of the populous and agriculturally rich central valley of
Mexico fell into confusion after 1100. Gradually assuming ever-greater power
were the Aztecs, probably a northern tribe that had migrated to the valley and
occupied a minor town on the shore of the great central lake. They were a
society that valued the skills of warriors above all others, and this emphasis
gave them an advantage against rival tribes in the region. By the end of the
15th century, the Aztecs controlled all of central Mexico as a military empire
that collected tribute from rivals.
The Aztec culture drew upon the experience of those that came before it and
invented little that was new. They had an advanced agriculture that supported a
very large population. They built immense buildings of grand design and
flourished in many arts. They were adept metal workers, but had no iron.
Lacking any suitable draft animal, they made no motive use of the wheel.
One of the distinctive features of the Aztec culture was its penchant for
sacrifice. Aztec myths dictated that human blood be fed to the Sun to give it
the strength to rise each day. Human sacrifices were conducted on a grand scale;
several thousand in a single day were not uncommon. Victims were often
decapitated or flayed, and hearts were cut from living victims. Sacrifices were
conducted at the top of tall pyramids to be close to the sun and blood flowed
down the steps. Although the Aztec economy was based primarily on corn
(or maize), the people believed that crops depended on the regular provision
of sacrificial blood.
The incessant demand for sacrificial victims meant that the Aztecs tolerated
loose control over satellite cities because frequent revolts offered
opportunities for capturing new victims. During times of peace, "garland wars"
were arranged strictly as contests of courage and warrior skill, and for the
purpose of capturing victims. They fought with wooden clubs to maim and stun,
rather than kill. When fighting to kill, the clubs were studded with obsidian
blades.
Despite their great agriculture and arts, the Aztecs appear in retrospect to
have been a waning society. They passed on no significant technology or ideas
of religion or political theory. Their civilization was brought to an abrupt
end by the arrival of the Spanish in the early 16th century. Already devastated
by European disease passed by early traders, they fell to a small Spanish army
armed with steel weapons, firearms, and riding a few horses. The cruelty of the
Aztecs contributed to their downfall by making it easy for the Spanish to enlist
allies among the non-Aztecs in Mexico.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Britons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Following the withdrawal of the Roman legions to Gaul (modern France) around
400, the British Isles fell into a very dark period of several centuries from
which almost no written records survive. The Romano-British culture that had
existed under 400 years of Roman rule disappeared under relentless invasion and
migration by barbarians. Celts came over from Ireland (a tribe called the Scotti
gave their name to the northern part of the main island, Scotland). Saxons and
Angles came from Germany, Frisians from modern Holland, and Jutes from modern
Denmark. By 600, the Angles and Saxons controlled most of modern England. By
800, only modern Wales, Scotland, and West Cornwall remained in largely Celtic
hands.
The new inhabitants were called Anglo-Saxons (from the Angles and Saxons). The
Angles gave their name to the new culture (England from Angle-land), and the
Germanic language they brought with them, English, replaced the native Celtic
and previously imported Latin. Despite further invasions and even a complete
military conquest at a later date, the southern and eastern parts of the largest
British Isle have been called England (and its people and language English) ever
since.
In 865 the relative peace of England was shattered by a new invasion. Danish
Vikings who had been raiding France and Germany formed a great army and turned
their attention on the English. Within 10 years, most of the Anglo-Saxon
kingdoms had fallen or surrendered. Only the West Saxons (modern Wessex) held
out under Alfred, the only English ruler to be called "the Great."
England was divided among the Vikings, the West Saxons, and a few other English
kingdoms for nearly 200 years. The Viking half was called the Danelaw ("under
Danish law"). The Vikings collected a large payment, called the Danegeld ("the
Dane's gold"), to be peaceful. The Danes became Christians and gradually became
more settled. In time the English turned on the Danes, and in 954 the last
Viking king of York was killed. England was united for the first time under an
English king from Wessex.
In 1066 the Witan ("king's council") offered the crown to Harold, son of the
Earl of Wessex. Two others claimed the throne: Harald Hardrada (meaning "the
hard ruler"), King of Norway, and Duke William of Normandy. The Norwegian landed
first, near York, but was defeated by Harold at the battle of Stamford Bridge.
Immediately after the victory, Harold force-marched his army south to meet
William at Hastings. The battle seesawed back and forth all day, but near dusk
Harold was mortally wounded by an arrow in the eye. Over the next two years,
William, now "the Conqueror," solidified his conquest of England.
During the remainder of the Middle Ages, the successors of William largely
exhausted themselves and their country in a series of confrontations and wars
attempting to expand or defend land holdings in France. The Hundred Years War
between England and France was an on-and-off conflict that stretched from 1337
to 1453. It was triggered by an English king's claim to the throne of France,
thanks to family intermarriages. The war was also fought over control of the
lucrative wool trade and French support for Scotland's independence. The early
part of the war featured a string of improbable, yet complete, English
victories, thanks usually to English longbowmen mowing down hordes of ornately
armored French knights from long range.
The English could not bring the war to closure, however, and the French rallied.
Inspired by Joan of Arc, a peasant girl who professed divine guidance, the
French fought back, ending the war with the capture of Bordeaux in 1453. The
English were left holding only Calais on the mainland (and not for long).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Byzantines
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Byzantines took their name from Byzantium, an ancient city on the Bosphorus,
the strategic waterway linking the Black Sea to the Aegean Sea. The Roman
Emperor Constantine had renamed this city Constantinople in the fourth century
and made it a sister capital of his empire. This eastern partition of the Roman
Empire outlived its western counterpart by a thousand years, defending Europe
against invasions from the east by Persians, Arabs, and Turks. The Byzantines
persevered because Constantinople was well defended by walls and the city could
be supplied by sea. At their zenith in the sixth century, the Byzantines covered
much of the territories of the original Roman Empire, lacking only the Iberian
Peninsula (modern Spain and Portugal), Gaul (modern France), and Britain. The
Byzantines also held Syria, Egypt, and Palestine, but by the middle of the
seventh century they had lost them to the Arabs. From then on their empire
consisted mainly of the Balkans and modern Turkey.
The first great Byzantine emperor was Justinian I (482 to 565). His ambition was
to restore the old Roman Empire and he nearly succeeded. His instrument was the
greatest general of the age, Belisarius, who crisscrossed the empire defeating
Persians to the East, Vandals in North Africa, Ostrogoths in Italy, and Bulgars
and Slavs in the Balkans. In addition to military campaigns, Justinian laid the
foundation for the future by establishing a strong legal and administrative
system and by defending the Christian Church.
The Byzantine economy was the richest in Europe for many centuries because
Constantinople was ideally sited on trade routes between Asia, Europe, the Black
Sea, and the Aegean Sea. It was an important destination point for the Silk Road
from China. The nomisma, the principal Byzantine gold coin, was the standard for
money throughout the Mediterranean for 800 years. Constantinople's strategic
position eventually attracted the envy and animosity of the Italian city-states.
A key strength of the Byzantine Empire was its generally superior army that drew
on the best elements of the Roman, Greek, Gothic, and Middle Eastern experience
in war. The core of the army was a shock force of heavy cavalry supported by
both light infantry (archers) and heavy infantry (armored swordsmen). The army
was organized into units and drilled in tactics and maneuvers. Officers received
an education in military history and theory. Although outnumbered usually by
masses of untrained warriors, it prevailed thanks to intelligent tactics and
good discipline. The army was backed by a network of spies and secret agents
that provided information about enemy plans and could be used to bribe or
otherwise deflect aggressors.
The Byzantine navy kept the sea-lanes open for trade and kept supply lines free
so the city could not be starved into submission when besieged. In the eighth
century, a land and sea attack by Arabs was defeated largely by a secret weapon,
Greek fire. This chemical weapon, its composition now unknown, was a sort of
liquid napalm that could be sprayed from a hose. The Arab navy was devastated at
sea by Greek fire.
In the seventh and eighth centuries, the Arabs overran Egypt, the Middle East,
North Africa, and Spain, removing these areas permanently from Byzantine
control. A Turkish victory at Manzikert in 1071 led to the devastation of Asia
Minor, the empire's most important source of grain, cattle, horses, and
soldiers. In 1204 Crusaders led by the Doge of Venice used treachery to sack and
occupy Constantinople.
In the fourteenth century, the Turks invaded Europe, capturing Adrianople and
bypassing Constantinople. They settled the Balkans in large numbers and defeated
a large crusader army at Nicopolis in 1396. In May 1453, Turkish sultan Mehmet
II captured a weakly defended Constantinople with the aid of heavy cannon. The
fall of the city brought the Byzantine Empire to an end.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Celts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Celts (pronounced "kelts") were the ancient inhabitants of Northern Europe
and the builders of Stonehenge 5000 years ago. Julius Caesar had battled them
during his conquest of Gaul. The Romans eventually took most of Britain and the
Iberian Peninsula from them as well. At the end of the ancient Roman Empire, the
Celts occupied only parts of northwestern France, Ireland, Wales, and parts of
Scotland. During the course of the Middle Ages, they strengthened their hold on
Scotland and made several attempts to take more of England.
The Irish remained in small bands during the early Middle Ages. By 800 the four
provinces of Leinster, Munster, Connaught, and Ulster had risen to power under
"high kings." Viking raids began in 795 and then Viking settlements were
established in the middle ninth century. The most important of these was at
Dublin. Brian Boru became the first high king of all Ireland around 1000. In
1014 the Irish defeated the Danes of Dublin at Clontarf, although Brian Boru was
killed.
An Irish tribe called the Scotti invaded what is now southern Scotland during
the early Middle Ages, settling permanently and giving the land its name. They
pushed back and absorbed the native Picts who had harassed the Romans to the
south. The Scottish kingdom took its present shape during the eleventh century
but attracted English interference. The Scots responded with the "auld (old)
alliance" with France, which became the foundation of their diplomacy for
centuries to come. Edward I of England (Longshanks, or "hammer of the Scots")
annexed Scotland in 1296.
William Wallace (Braveheart) led a revolt of Scotland, winning virtual
independence at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297. Defeated the next year at
Falkirk, Wallace waged a guerrilla war until he was betrayed, captured, and
executed in 1305. Robert the Bruce declared himself king of Scotland after
murdering his main rival. He drove out the English, winning the battle of
Bannockburn in 1314. Edward III of England recognized Scotland's independence in
1328, but war between the Scots and English carried on for several centuries.
The crowns of the two countries were united in 1603, long after the Middle Ages
were over.
No prince in Wales proved strong enough to unite the country. In the late
thirteenth century, Edward I took over the government of Gwynedd, one of the
strongest Welsh principalities in Wales. He proceeded to build five great
castles in Wales, effectively placing the country under English rule.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
China was reunited in 581 AD after a long period of internal war by the founders
of the Sui dynasty. For most of the 1000 years that followed, China was one of
the largest and most advanced civilization in the world. Because of its
geographic isolation from the West, it was able to develop and maintain a unique
culture that spread its influence over much of Asia.
An emperor generally held supreme power as the son of heaven. Natural disasters
or other calamities were taken as proof that the mandate of heaven had been
withdrawn, however, and could justify revolt. Mandarins were conservative civil
servants who operated most of the government at the local, province, and
imperial level. Mandarins earned their positions by passing detailed civil
service examinations based mainly on the works of Confucius.
The T'ang dynasty ruled China from 618 to 907. China under the T'ang was large,
wealthy, and powerful. There was extensive foreign trade and interest in the
arts among the upper class. Printing and gunpowder were invented. The last 100
years of T'ang rule witnessed tumultuous peasant revolts, however, and wars
between local military rulers that the imperial court could not end. The years
from 907 to 960 were known as the Five Dynasties period. Northern China was held
by barbarians, and southern China split into 10 rival states. From one of these,
an army general named Zhao Kuang-ying seized power and unified the southern
states, founding the Song dynasty. His descendants reunited China within 20
years.
The Song dynasty ruled at least part of China until 1279. This was another
period of cultural brilliance, and it was considered the great age of Chinese
landscape painting. There was a dramatic improvement in economic activity,
including a large overseas trade. Population and cities grew, food production
grew faster than population, a money economy developed, and industrial output
increased. No city in Europe could approach the populations of Chang An,
Beijing, and Guang Zhou, all with more than 2 million inhabitants.
The wealth of China attracted enemies, however, and the Mongols began attacks in
1206. By 1279 they had completed the conquest of Song China and moved the
capital to Beijing. The dramatic economic improvement of the Song dynasty ended
with the Mongol conquests and the estimated 30 million deaths that they caused.
The Mongol Yuan dynasty reunited China and reestablished it as a great military
and world power. Chinese influence was spread into Asia. Hanoi was captured
three times and tribute was extracted from Burma. Trade with India, Arabia, and
the Persian Gulf was developed. Marco Polo visited China during this period.
Natural disasters and higher taxes in the fourteenth century caused rural
rebellions. A Buddhist monk rose to be one of the leaders of the Red Turbans, a
secret society opposed to the emperor in Beijing. The rebels seized Nanjing in
1356 and drove the Mongols from Beijing 12 years later, establishing the Ming
dynasty. The Ming presided over another cultural flowering and established a
political unity that outlasted the Ming and continued into the twentieth
century. The Ming clamped down a strict conservatism and isolation, however,
discouraging change and innovation, banning foreign travel, and closing the Silk
Road.
Some of the most noteworthy aspects of medieval China are the technologies that
were invented there, usually many centuries before a similar technology was
invented in, or transmitted to, the West. Important Chinese inventions included
the compass, the wheelbarrow, the abacus, the horse harness, the stirrup, the
clock, iron-casting, steel, paper, moveable type (printing), paper money,
gunpowder, and the stern-post rudder.
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Franks
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The Franks were one of the Germanic barbarian tribes known to the Romans. In the
early part of the fifth century, they began expanding south from their homeland
along the Rhine River into Roman-controlled Gaul (modern France). Unlike other
Germanic tribes, however, they did not move out of their homelands but, rather,
added to them. Clovis, a Frankish chieftan, defeated the last Roman armies in
Gaul and united the Franks by 509, becoming the ruler of much of western Europe.
During the next 1000 years, this Frankish kingdom gradually became the modern
nation of France.
The kingdom of Clovis was divided after his death among his four sons, according
to custom. This led to several centuries of civil warfare and struggle between
successive claimants to the throne. By the end of the seventh century, the
Merovingian kings (descendants of Clovis) were rulers in name only. In the early
eighth century, Charles Martel became mayor of the palace, the ruler behind the
throne. He converted the Franks into a cavalry force and fought so well that his
enemies gave him the name of Charles the Hammer. In 732 the Frankish cavalry
defeated Muslim invaders moving north from Spain at the Battle of Poitiers,
stopping forever the advance of Islam from the southwest.
Charles Martel's son, Pepin, was made king of the Franks by the pope in return
for helping to defend Italy from the Lombards. Pepin founded the dynasty of the
Carolingians, and the greatest of these rulers was Charles the Great, or
Charlemagne, who ruled from 768 to 814. He expanded the Frankish kingdom into an
empire and was responsible for a rebirth of culture and learning in the West.
Charlemagne's empire was divided among his grandsons and thereafter coalesced
into two major parts. The western part became the kingdom of France. Later kings
gradually lost political control of France, however. Central authority broke
down under the pressure of civil wars, border clashes, and Viking raids. Money
and soldiers could be raised only by making concessions to landholders. Fiefs
became hereditary and fief holders became feudal lords over their own vassals.
By the tenth century, France had been broken into feudal domains that acted as
independent states.
In 987 the French nobility elected Hugh Capet their king, mainly because his
fief centered on Paris was weak and he was thought to pose no threat. He founded
the Capetian line of kings, who worked slowly for two centuries regaining the
power by making royal roads safe, adding land to their domain, encouraging
trade, and granting royal charters for new towns and fiefs in vacant lands. By
allying themselves with the church, the Capetians took a strong moral position
and benefited from the church's cultural, political, and social influence. Royal
administrators were made loyal to the king and more efficient by eliminating the
inheritance of government offices.
Beginning with Philip II in 1180, three superior rulers established France as
one of the most important nations in Europe. They improved the working of the
government, encouraged a booming trade, collected fees efficiently, and
strengthened their position atop the feudal hierarchy. Although a national
assembly called the Estates General was established, it held no real power and
was successfully ignored.
From 1337 to 1453 France and England fought the long conflict called the Hundred
Years War to decide ownership of lands in France that had been inherited by
English kings. The eventual French victory confirmed the king as the most
powerful political force in France.
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Goths
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The Goths were a Germanic tribe on the Danube River frontier known to the Romans
from the first century AD. Pressured and then displaced when the Huns moved west
out of Central Asia, the Goths moved west into Europe and over the Danube River
to escape the oncoming hordes. After taking part in the fall of Rome, they vied
with other barbarians for the leavings of the Western Roman Empire during the
Early Middle Ages.
The Goths originated on the island of Gotland in the Baltic, to the best of our
knowledge, and split into two groups as they migrated south across Central
Europe. The Visigoths, or West Goths, settled in modern Romania during the
second century. The Ostrogoths, or East Goths, settled farther to the east on
the northwest coast of the Black Sea. In 376 AD the Visigoths were driven from
modern Romania by the Huns and moved south across the Danube. Their strength was
estimated at 60,000 men, women, and children. They defeated a Roman army from
Constantinople, settled briefly south of the Danube, and then pushed into Italy.
In 409 they sacked Rome under their king Alaric and then moved north into Gaul.
The Romans gave them southwestern Gaul. From there they eventually extended
their rule into all of modern Spain and Portugal.
The Ostrogoths broke away from Hunnish rule and followed their cousins into
Italy late in the fifth century. They were encouraged to invade by the Eastern
emperor, who wanted deposed the barbarian then ruling as viceroy. Under
Theodric, king of modern Switzerland and the Balkans already, the Goths entered
Italy in 488, completing its conquest in 493.
Theodric's kingdom did not last long following his death in 526. Using a
struggle for succession as an excuse, the Byzantines sent an army to Italy in
536 led by their great general Belisarius. The Byzantines hoped to regain Italy
and restore the old Roman Empire in the West. The war dragged on, devastating
the countryside in conjunction with plague and famine. In 552 the Ostrogoths
were finally defeated in Italy. They ceased to exist as a separate group by the
late sixth century when northern Italy was invaded by a new group of barbarians
called the Lombards.
The Visigoth kingdom lasted somewhat longer. In the late fifth century Clovis of
the Franks pushed the Visigoths out of France and over the Pyrenees Mountains.
Following the death of Clovis his kingdom fragmented and the Visigoths were
temporarily left alone. In 711 a new threat appeared from the south. Islamic
armies crossed over from North Africa and destroyed the last Gothic kingdom in
four years.
The Goths are remembered for being the first to sack Rome and thereby beginning
the final collapse of the ancient world order in Europe. Their admiration for
Rome and attempts to preserve it, however, allowed much of the Roman culture to
survive. For example, the modern languages of Italy, France, Spain, Portugal,
and Romania are derived from Latin influenced by later settlers. They are not
variations of German, as was the case in England.
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Huns
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The Huns were a nomadic people from around Mongolia in Central Asia that began
migrating toward the west in the third century, probably due to climatic change.
They were a horse people and very adept at mounted warfare, both with spears
and bows. Moving with their families and great herds of horses and domesticated
animals they migrated in search of new grasslands to settle. Due to their
military prowess and discipline, they proved unstoppable, displacing all in
their path. They set in motion a tide of migration before them as other peoples
moved to get out of their way. This domino effect of large populations passed
around the hard nut of Constantinople and the Eastern Roman Empire to spill
over the Danube and Rhine Rivers, and ultimately overwhelm the Western Roman
Empire by 476.
Finding lands to their liking, the Huns settled on the Hungarian plain in
Eastern Europe, making their headquarters at the city of Szeged on the Tisza
River. They needed large expanses of grasslands to provide forage for their
horses and other animals. From this area of plains the Huns controlled through
alliance or conquest an empire eventually stretching from the Ural Mountains in
Russia to the Rhτne River in France.
The Huns were superb horsemen, trained from childhood, and some believe they
invented the stirrup, critical for increasing the fighting power of a mounted
man charging with a couched lance. They inspired terror in enemies due to the
speed at which they could move, changing ponies several times a day to maintain
their advance. A second advantage was their recurved composite bow, far superior
to anything used in the West. Standing in their stirrups, they could fire
forward, to the sides, and to the rear. Their tactics featured surprise,
lightning attacks, and the ensuing terror. They were an army of light cavalry
and their political structure required a strong leader to hold them to a
purpose.
The peak of Hun power came during the rule of Attila, who became a leader of
the Huns in 433 and began a series of raids into south Russia and Persia. He
then turned his attention to the Balkans, causing sufficient terror and havoc
on two major raids to be bribed to leave. In 450 he turned to the Western
Empire, crossing the Rhine north of Mainz with perhaps 100,000 warriors.
Advancing on a front of 100 miles, he sacked most of the towns in what is now
northern France. The Roman general Aetius raised a Gallo-Roman army and
advanced against Attila, who was besieging the city of Orleans. At the major
battle of Chalτns, Attila was defeated, though not destroyed.
The defeat at Chalτns is considered one of the decisive battles of history, one
that could have meant collapse of the Christian religion in Western Europe and
perhaps domination of the area by Asian peoples.
Attila then invaded Italy, seeking new plunder. As he passed into Italy,
refugees escaped to the islands off the coast, founding, according to tradition,
the city of Venice. Though Roman forces were depleted and their main army still
in Gaul, the Huns were weak as well, depleted by incessant campaigns, disease,
and famine in Italy. At a momentous meeting with Pope Leo I, Attila agreed to
withdraw.
The Hun empire disintegrated following the death of Attila in 453 with no strong
leader of his ability to hold it together. Subject peoples revolted and factions
within their group fought each other for dominance. They eventually disappeared
under a tide of new invaders, such as the Avars, and disappeared from history.
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Japanese
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Located 100 miles off the mainland of Asia, at its closest point, Japan was a
land of mystery at the edge of civilization. Isolated at first by geography and
later by choice, the Japanese developed a distinctive culture that drew very
little from the outside world. At the beginning of what were the Middle Ages in
Europe, the advanced culture of Japan was centered at the north end of the
Inland Sea on the main island of Honshu. Across the Hakone Mountains to the east
lay the Kanto, an alluvial plain that was the single largest rice-growing area
on the islands. To the north and east of the Kanto was the frontier, beyond
which lived aboriginal Japanese who had occupied the islands since Neolithic
times.
Some believe that by the fifth century AD the Yamato court had become largely
ceremonial. Independent clans, known as uji, held the real power behind
the throne. Clan leaders formed a sort of aristocracy and vied with each other
for effective control of land and the throne.
In 536 the Soga clan became predominant and produced the first great historical
statesman, Prince Shotoku, who instituted reforms that laid the foundation of
Japanese culture for generations to come. In 645, power shifted from the Soga
clan to the Fujiwara clan. The Fujiwara presided over most of the Heian period
(794 to 1185). The new leadership imposed the Taika Reform of 645, which
attempted to redistribute the rice-growing land, establish a tax on agricultural
production, and divide the country into provinces. Too much of the country
remained outside imperial influence and control, however. Real power shifted to
great families that rose to prominence in the rice-growing lands. Conflict among
these families led to civil war and the rise of the warrior class.
Similar to the experience of medieval western Europe, the breakdown of central
authority in Japan, the rise of powerful local nobles, and conflict with
barbarians at the frontier combined to create a culture dominated by a warrior
elite. These warriors became known as Samurai, ("those who serve"), who were
roughly equivalent to the European knight. A military government replaced the
nobility as the power behind the throne at the end of the twelfth century. The
head of the military government was the Shogun.
Samurai lived by a code of the warrior, something like the European code of
chivalry. The foundation of the warrior code was loyalty to the lord. The
warrior expected leadership and protection. In return he obeyed his lord's
commands without question and stood ready to die on his lord's behalf. A Samurai
placed great emphasis on his ancestry and strove to carry on family traditions.
He behaved so as to earn praise. He was to be firm and show no cowardice.
Warriors went into battle expecting and looking to die. It was felt that a
warrior hoping to live would fight poorly.
The Kamakura period (1185 to 1333) was named after a region of Japan dominated
by a new ruling clan that took power after civil war. The Mongols attempted to
invade Japan twice, in 1274 and 1281, but were repulsed both times. A fortuitous
storm caused great loss to the second Mongol invasion fleet.
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Koreans
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When Europe fell into its Dark Age, Korea had been divided into three competing
kingdoms: Koguryo to the north, Paekche to the southwest, and Shilla to the
southeast. In alliance with China, Shilla conquered the other two kingdoms in
the 7th century and then expelled their erstwhile Chinese ally. The central
authority of Shilla disintegrated in the 8th-9th centuries, however, under
pressure from local lords. Korea was unified once again as Koryo in the 10th
century and after that, recovered territory reaching up to the Amnok River
border with China in 993. The civilian nobility was thrown out of power by a
military coup in 1170 and military rule then lasted for sixty years.
The Mongols invaded in 1231, initiating a 30-year struggle. The Mongols were
often distracted by their wars in China and elsewhere but eventually brought
enough power to bear that Koryo made peace with the invaders in 1258. Under the
Mongols the Koryo maintained their distinct culture and were inspired to
demonstrate their superiority to their conquerors through a burst of artistic
accomplishment.
Land reform, the rise of a new bureaucracy, the diminishment of Buddhism, and
the rise of Confucianism around 1400 were part of the creation of a new kingdom,
the Choson, that would rule Korea until the 20th century. China heavily
influenced the Choson politically and culturally. Korea became an important
center of learning, aided by the invention of movable type and the woodblock
technique of publishing around 1234.
The greatest test of the Choson dynasty was invasion by samurai armies from
Japan in 1592 that ostensibly planned to conquer China. Although seven years
of fighting left much of the Korean peninsula devastated, the Japanese were
forced to withdraw because their fleets could not keep open sea lines of supply
and reinforcement back to Japan. The great Korean admiral Yi Sun-Shin defeated
the Japanese at sea. One key to the Korean naval victories was their innovative
turtle ships, the first cannon-bearing armored ships in history. The Japanese
had no answer for these slow but powerful weapons.
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Mayans
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The Mayans occupied the Yucatan peninsula, modern Honduras, and modern
Guatemala. They date back perhaps to the second millennium BC, but peaked
between 600 and 900 AD. Though they lived on lands of marginal agricultural
value, they created monuments and ceremonial centers nearly as impressive as
those in Egypt. The extent of the ceremonial building is surprising because
their religion was relatively simple. Their architecture was also less
developed, though undeniably impressive, compared to contemporary advances
made elsewhere in the world. They invented a unique written language that is
only being deciphered today. Three Mayan books survive to the present, the
remnants of a much larger number destroyed by Europeans who feared they
contained heresy.
The Mayans were very proficient in mathematics and astronomy. The understanding
and predictability of star and planet movements was critical to the calculation
of their calendar and the dating of important ceremonies. They lived in small
hamlets that have not survived but congregated at their centers for important
events. Noble warriors and priests controlled their society.
The Mayans went into decline in the tenth century, perhaps due to earthquake or
volcanic eruption. Many of their important ceremonial sites were thereafter
abandoned. Warriors from central Mexico then invaded their territory and they
broke into small town groupings in the rain forest. The last Mayan center was
captured by the Spanish in the 17th century, but as many as two million people
of Mayan descent reside in the Yucatan today.
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Mongols
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The Mongols were nomads from the steppes of Central Asia. They were fierce
warriors who fought each other over pasturelands and raided developed
civilizations to the east and south. At the beginning of the thirteenth century,
the Mongol clans united and began a campaign of foreign conquest. Following in
the hoofprints of the Huns, their predecessors by a thousand years, they carved
out one of the largest empires the world has yet seen.
The Mongols inhabited the plains south of Lake Baikal in modern Mongolia. At its
maximum, their empire stretched from Korea, across Asia, and into European
Russia to the Baltic Sea coast. They held most of Asia Minor, modern Iraq,
modern Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tibet, parts of India, parts of Burma, all
of China, and parts of Vietnam.
The Mongol clans were united by Temuchin, called Genghis Khan ("mighty ruler"),
in the early thirteenth century. His ambition was to rule all lands between the
oceans (Pacific and Atlantic) and he nearly did so. Beginning with only an
estimated 25,000 warriors, he added strength by subjugating other nomads and
attacked northern China in 1211. He took Beijing in 1215 after a campaign that
may have cost 30 million Chinese lives. The Mongols then turned west, capturing
the great trading city Bukhara on the Silk Road in 1220. The city was burned to
the ground and the inhabitants murdered.
Following Genghis Khan's death in 1227, his son Ogedei completed the conquest of
northern China and advanced into Europe. He destroyed Kiev in 1240 and advanced
into Hungary. When Ogedei died on campaign in 1241, the entire army fell back to
settle the question of succession. Europe was spared as Mongol rulers
concentrated their efforts against the Middle East and southern China. Hulagu, a
grandson of Genghis, exterminated the Muslim "Assassins" and then took the
Muslim capital of Baghdad in 1258. Most of the city's 100,000 inhabitants were
murdered. In 1260 a Muslim army of Egyptian Mamelukes (warrior slaves of high
status) defeated the Mongols in present-day Israel, ending the Mongol threat to
Islam and its holy cities.
Kublai Khan, another grandson of Genghis, completed the conquest of China in
1279, establishing the Yuan dynasty. Attempted invasions of Japan were thrown
back with heavy loss in 1274 and 1281. In 1294 Kublai Khan died in China, and
Mongol power began to decline in Asia and elsewhere. In 1368 the Yuan dynasty in
China was overthrown in favor of the Ming.
In the 1370's a Turkish-Mongol warrior claiming descent from Genghis Khan fought
his way to leadership of the Mongol states of Central Asia and set out to
restore the Mongol Empire. His name was Timur Leng (Timur, "the Lame," or
Tamerlane to Europeans and the Prince of Destruction to Asians). With another
army of 100,000 or so horsemen, he swept into Russia and Persia, fighting mainly
other Muslims. In 1398 he sacked Delhi, murdering 100,000 inhabitants. He rushed
west defeating an Egyptian Mameluke army in Syria. In 1402 he defeated a large
Ottoman Turk army near modern Ankara. On the verge of destroying the Ottoman
Empire, he turned again suddenly. He died in 1405 while marching for China. He
preferred capturing wealth and engaged in wholesale slaughter, without pausing
to install stable governments in his wake. Because of this, the huge realm
inherited by his sons fell apart quickly after his death.
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Persians
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The Persian Empire had existed for many centuries when the Middle Ages began. It
had been reassembled following the conquest by Alexander in the fourth century
BC and the subsequent breakup of his empire in later centuries. The Persians had
been fighting the Romans since the third century AD.
The Persian Empire stretched from Mesopotamia to India and from the Caspian Sea
to the Persian Gulf, encompassing the modern nations of Iraq, Iran, and
Afghanistan. They fought the Romans, and later the Byzantines, for control of
modern Syria, Turkey, Palestine, Israel, Egypt, and Arabia. The capital of the
Persian Empire was Ctesiphon, called Baghdad today.
During the third and fourth centuries, the Romans made several attempts to
subdue the Persians. In 364 a peace treaty was signed between the two that
allowed the Persians to consolidate their power to the east and north. Beginning
with the sixth century, the Persians began attacking the Byzantine Empire in
Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and modern Turkey. The war between the two powers went
back and forth. In 626 the Persians besieged Byzantium itself without success,
and the Byzantines were able to invade Persia the following year. Peace was made
between the two exhausted empires in 628.
The Persians were unprepared for the fury of the Islamic Arabs in the seventh
century. The Sassanid dynasty of Persia ended in battle in 636. The Persians did
not have a capital with defenses comparable to those of Constantinople. Muslim
conquest of Persia was complete by 651.
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Saracens
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The name Saracen applied originally to nomadic desert peoples from the area
stretching from modern Syria to Saudi Arabia. In broader usage the name applied
to all Arabs of the Middle Ages. These desert nomads erupted suddenly in the
seventh century and established a far-reaching empire within a century and a
half. Their co