~Introduction~
Hello bopers. Let's cut to the chase. We are going back in time 2600 years to the middle of the iron age, a bop focused around (one of) the cradle(s) of civilization: the Ancient Near East, or Mesopotamia, derived from Greek for "between rivers", referring to the fertile crescent between the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in what is now Iraq. Beyond that however, along the banks of the Nile is yet another civilization, nearly as old, the Egyptians, and in the intervening millenia civilization has spread to Greece, Italy, parts of Spain, North Africa, Anatolia, Armenia, Eritrea, and Southern Arabia. (not to mention the Olmecs in the Americas and Ancient China of course).
As this is a relatively obscure setting compared to the more modern 1884 bop or the usual Ancient bop set around the rise of Rome, I'll go into some background. To do that in a concise and efficient way I will leave the map here and a description of countries.
Some notes about the map:
- Borders are approximate, given that it's 2600 years ago. This is especially the case for "uncivilized" borders. A lot of sources conflict on who owned what at what time. This is my best approximation.
- 2600 years ago, the Persian Gulf was bigger. About 30% bigger. Not shown on this map.
- 2600 years ago, there were still aquifiers in Libya, and a series of lakes extending from Tunisia to Algeria (today only two are left). Not shown on this map.
- Gibraltar, known to the Greeks as the Pillars of Hercules, is generally the extent of geographical knowledge, unless you are Phoenician.
- Countries that are colored in tend to be the "civilized" countries, however most people in this area of the world have systematic agriculture, permanent settlements, and metalworking. Some have began to develop writing systems, usually based on Phoenician. Some are in fact quite advanced, boasting some technologies that have not spread to the more established peoples, especially anything to do with horses.
- Anything with a label, except the obvious things like "Ishaphan" or "Sea monsters" is playable. This includes most Greek and Phoenician colonies and most barbarians. As I won't be describing everything feel free to ask me about someone.
~Country Summaries~
Since this is a rather obscure time period and you may be debating what to play, here is a quick summary of all the colored nations and playable cities/colonies. If you're interested in something else feel free to ask about it though.
(Note: arranged alphabetically)
To apply, use the usual format. I prefer you post rather than PM, so that others can see your choices.
Obviously, major powers should be filled first.
Hello bopers. Let's cut to the chase. We are going back in time 2600 years to the middle of the iron age, a bop focused around (one of) the cradle(s) of civilization: the Ancient Near East, or Mesopotamia, derived from Greek for "between rivers", referring to the fertile crescent between the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in what is now Iraq. Beyond that however, along the banks of the Nile is yet another civilization, nearly as old, the Egyptians, and in the intervening millenia civilization has spread to Greece, Italy, parts of Spain, North Africa, Anatolia, Armenia, Eritrea, and Southern Arabia. (not to mention the Olmecs in the Americas and Ancient China of course).
As this is a relatively obscure setting compared to the more modern 1884 bop or the usual Ancient bop set around the rise of Rome, I'll go into some background. To do that in a concise and efficient way I will leave the map here and a description of countries.
- Borders are approximate, given that it's 2600 years ago. This is especially the case for "uncivilized" borders. A lot of sources conflict on who owned what at what time. This is my best approximation.
- 2600 years ago, the Persian Gulf was bigger. About 30% bigger. Not shown on this map.
- 2600 years ago, there were still aquifiers in Libya, and a series of lakes extending from Tunisia to Algeria (today only two are left). Not shown on this map.
- Gibraltar, known to the Greeks as the Pillars of Hercules, is generally the extent of geographical knowledge, unless you are Phoenician.
- Countries that are colored in tend to be the "civilized" countries, however most people in this area of the world have systematic agriculture, permanent settlements, and metalworking. Some have began to develop writing systems, usually based on Phoenician. Some are in fact quite advanced, boasting some technologies that have not spread to the more established peoples, especially anything to do with horses.
- Anything with a label, except the obvious things like "Ishaphan" or "Sea monsters" is playable. This includes most Greek and Phoenician colonies and most barbarians. As I won't be describing everything feel free to ask me about someone.
~Country Summaries~
Since this is a rather obscure time period and you may be debating what to play, here is a quick summary of all the colored nations and playable cities/colonies. If you're interested in something else feel free to ask about it though.
(Note: arranged alphabetically)
Assyria: Lead by Ashurbanipal the Great
Assyria is hegemon of the known world, an empire born at the dawn of the age of iron, following the collapse of civilization at the end of the bronze age. The military campaigns of Ashurbanipal and his predecessors have carved out the largest empire the world has yet seen, at one point ruling over Egypt, the Levant, and all of Mesopotamia, and making headway into Persia. However Assyria's power is built on more than just military strength - Ashurbanipal has built the great library of Nineveh, in an effort to collect all of the world's knowledge. Nineveh itself is the world's largest city, followed closely by Babylon and Assur, and surrounded by high, thick walls of blue and yellow. Already, hundreds of thousands of clay tablets written in various languages are stored in Nineveh's libraries.
However Ashurbanipal's reign has not been without problems. After decades of constant wars of expansion, Assyria is exhausted, and and its conquered peoples restless, despite their relative autonomy. The Elamites rebelled against the Assyrians many years ago, precipitating a long war to re-subjugate Elam. However, as a result of Assyria's waning power, Ashurbanipal could not commit to holding on to distant Egypt, and largely left to focus his efforts against the Elamites. While he was eventually successful in restoring the Elamites' position as a tributary state, Assyria is weaker than ever, and its line of succession is weak while its king is aging. Many suspect that the empire's days are numbered.
Egypt: Lead by Pharaoh Psamtik I
Egypt stands reunited under an Egyptian king after decades of interregnum, which were followed by the conquest of Egypt by the Ku****es. The Ku****es adopted many Egyptian traditions, including the position of Pharaoh as god-king, and the Ku****e dynasty pharaohs such as Taharqa and Tantamani lead the resistance against Assyrian invasion. Despite their efforts, which were commendable, the much more militarily advanced Assyrians were successful in subjugating Egypt. Briefly, the Assyrians lead campaigns into Kush, however the Egyptian soldiers were rather reluctant to fight the more sympathetic Ku****es and the campaign failed.
After that, the Assyrians left behind some governors and installed a viceroy to rule in Ashurbanipal's name, and left. Simply walked away. In the process, a new dynasty coalesced, 26th among pharaohs, centered at the city of Zau (or Sais) and began the long process of reunifying Egypt. With time and effort, Psamtik I ousted the Assyrian governors and viceroys one by one, as they were unsupported by Assyria proper, and Egypt rallied behind him as he crushed all opposition to his reunification of Egypt. By 627 BC, at long last, after decades of civil war followed by decades of foreign rule, Egypt stands together once again, as it always has, as the most enduring civilization in the known world.
However... Ku****e influence is still strong in Egypt, and the affairs in the Near East are troubling for the new dynasty, begging for intervention. While Assyria takes its last breath, Egypt rises once more.
Lydia: Lead by Ardys II
Lydia is a mighty kingdom, emerging from a petty kingdom that defeated the once-great empire of the Phrygians during the chaos of the Bronze Age collapse, and consolidating after the collapse of the Hittite Empire - however it is a kingdom under siege. Cimmerians have penetrated deep into its territory, leaving behind a path of destruction, however Ardys II believes he has them cornered, and is poised to strike a backhand blow, and send the Cimmerians scattering out of Asia Minor. Lydia maintains a love-hate relationship with Greek city-states in Anatolia, like Ephesos and Miletos, at times they are important trading partners, at other times they are enemies. Nonetheless, the Greeks credit the Lydians with inventing coinage and permanent trade posts, and their influence can be felt as far as Egypt, when Lydian mercenaries assisted Psamtik I in ousting the Assyrian viceroys.
Urartu: Lead by Rusa III
Urartu emerged from an ancient confederation of cities that centuries ago put aside their differences to jointly resist Assyrian expansion. But when this confederation was successful, and dealt the Assyrians a series of defeats, the stalemate that endured lead to the tightening of bonds and the consolidation into a single powerful state, centered around the three lakes. Under previous kings Urartu was always expanding, swatting Assyrian invasions with relative ease. The fortress of Erebuni, built far to the north to guard against barbarian encroachment, is the oldest city in the world (as of 2017 of course) to have an official record of the date of its founding. Urartian cuneiform proudly declares the construction of the fortress by Argishti I in 782 BC. The city exists today as Yerevan, capital of Armenia.
The height of Urartu has already past however, as Rusa III's reign lead to defeats at Assyrian hands and failures to repel the tide of barbarians from the north. The kingdom needs strong leadership if it is to survive, and it seems that Rusa III isn't quite up to it. Nonetheless Urartu is strong and may yet endure. Should Assyria fall, perhaps this is but the beginning of a golden age for Urartu, the chance for it to seize hegemony of the Near East.
Assyria is hegemon of the known world, an empire born at the dawn of the age of iron, following the collapse of civilization at the end of the bronze age. The military campaigns of Ashurbanipal and his predecessors have carved out the largest empire the world has yet seen, at one point ruling over Egypt, the Levant, and all of Mesopotamia, and making headway into Persia. However Assyria's power is built on more than just military strength - Ashurbanipal has built the great library of Nineveh, in an effort to collect all of the world's knowledge. Nineveh itself is the world's largest city, followed closely by Babylon and Assur, and surrounded by high, thick walls of blue and yellow. Already, hundreds of thousands of clay tablets written in various languages are stored in Nineveh's libraries.
However Ashurbanipal's reign has not been without problems. After decades of constant wars of expansion, Assyria is exhausted, and and its conquered peoples restless, despite their relative autonomy. The Elamites rebelled against the Assyrians many years ago, precipitating a long war to re-subjugate Elam. However, as a result of Assyria's waning power, Ashurbanipal could not commit to holding on to distant Egypt, and largely left to focus his efforts against the Elamites. While he was eventually successful in restoring the Elamites' position as a tributary state, Assyria is weaker than ever, and its line of succession is weak while its king is aging. Many suspect that the empire's days are numbered.
Egypt: Lead by Pharaoh Psamtik I
Egypt stands reunited under an Egyptian king after decades of interregnum, which were followed by the conquest of Egypt by the Ku****es. The Ku****es adopted many Egyptian traditions, including the position of Pharaoh as god-king, and the Ku****e dynasty pharaohs such as Taharqa and Tantamani lead the resistance against Assyrian invasion. Despite their efforts, which were commendable, the much more militarily advanced Assyrians were successful in subjugating Egypt. Briefly, the Assyrians lead campaigns into Kush, however the Egyptian soldiers were rather reluctant to fight the more sympathetic Ku****es and the campaign failed.
After that, the Assyrians left behind some governors and installed a viceroy to rule in Ashurbanipal's name, and left. Simply walked away. In the process, a new dynasty coalesced, 26th among pharaohs, centered at the city of Zau (or Sais) and began the long process of reunifying Egypt. With time and effort, Psamtik I ousted the Assyrian governors and viceroys one by one, as they were unsupported by Assyria proper, and Egypt rallied behind him as he crushed all opposition to his reunification of Egypt. By 627 BC, at long last, after decades of civil war followed by decades of foreign rule, Egypt stands together once again, as it always has, as the most enduring civilization in the known world.
However... Ku****e influence is still strong in Egypt, and the affairs in the Near East are troubling for the new dynasty, begging for intervention. While Assyria takes its last breath, Egypt rises once more.
Lydia: Lead by Ardys II
Lydia is a mighty kingdom, emerging from a petty kingdom that defeated the once-great empire of the Phrygians during the chaos of the Bronze Age collapse, and consolidating after the collapse of the Hittite Empire - however it is a kingdom under siege. Cimmerians have penetrated deep into its territory, leaving behind a path of destruction, however Ardys II believes he has them cornered, and is poised to strike a backhand blow, and send the Cimmerians scattering out of Asia Minor. Lydia maintains a love-hate relationship with Greek city-states in Anatolia, like Ephesos and Miletos, at times they are important trading partners, at other times they are enemies. Nonetheless, the Greeks credit the Lydians with inventing coinage and permanent trade posts, and their influence can be felt as far as Egypt, when Lydian mercenaries assisted Psamtik I in ousting the Assyrian viceroys.
Urartu: Lead by Rusa III
Urartu emerged from an ancient confederation of cities that centuries ago put aside their differences to jointly resist Assyrian expansion. But when this confederation was successful, and dealt the Assyrians a series of defeats, the stalemate that endured lead to the tightening of bonds and the consolidation into a single powerful state, centered around the three lakes. Under previous kings Urartu was always expanding, swatting Assyrian invasions with relative ease. The fortress of Erebuni, built far to the north to guard against barbarian encroachment, is the oldest city in the world (as of 2017 of course) to have an official record of the date of its founding. Urartian cuneiform proudly declares the construction of the fortress by Argishti I in 782 BC. The city exists today as Yerevan, capital of Armenia.
The height of Urartu has already past however, as Rusa III's reign lead to defeats at Assyrian hands and failures to repel the tide of barbarians from the north. The kingdom needs strong leadership if it is to survive, and it seems that Rusa III isn't quite up to it. Nonetheless Urartu is strong and may yet endure. Should Assyria fall, perhaps this is but the beginning of a golden age for Urartu, the chance for it to seize hegemony of the Near East.
Anshan: Lead by Cyrus I
Anshan is a relatively minor kingdom, similar to Medes in the influx of nomadic settlers occasionally stopping in its cities. It was from Anshan that the Achaemenids would begin their campaigns that lead to the establishment of the Persian empire, of which Anshan formed the nucleus.
Babylon: Lead by Nabopolassar
Babylon is an ancient city, and one whose sphere of influence includes much of old Mesopotamia, where the Sumerians built the world's oldest cities untold millenia ago. It is also a fabulously wealthy and affluent city, with elaborate religious rituals echoing the mythology of old, and a center of learning and trade to rival Nineveh itself.
Elam: Lead by Humban-Kitin
Elam is an ancient country, emerging in parallel to the height of the ancient Sumerians. In recent years, Elam rebelled against Assyrian rule, and was powerful enough to divert Assyria's resources from campaign in Egypt long enough for the new Pharaoh to consolidate his reunification efforts. In the end, Elam was unsuccessful in escaping Assyrian rule, but had significantly weakened its overlords over the course of the campaign. Perhaps opportunity exists for Elam to grow strong, should others begin to feel Assyria is weak.
Etruscan League: Lead by Tyrsenos (fictional)
The Etruscan league is an alliance between a little more than a dozen cities centered around what is now Tuscany, along with cities along the Po river valley. These cities unite under a single leader, chosen through an elaborate religious ceremony. The Etruscans, who call themselves the Rasenna, are heavily influenced by nearby Greek colonies and traders, and are said to have connections with the Lydians as well. Wars to take prisoners for ransom from nearby Italians are common in the summers, and the league possesses a relatively strong navy, aligned with Carthaginian interests in containing Greek expansion.
Kush: Lead by Senkamanisken
Long ago, as Egypt fell apart in the midst of severe internal strife, the Ku****es invaded and easily conquered the fractured Egyptians. The Ku****es were quick to adopt various aspects of Egyptian society, and in doing so were crowned legitimate Pharaohs of Egypt, assimilating to the culture of their conquered subjects. This created the Ku****e dynasty in Egypt, which among others consisted of the great kings Taharqa and Tantamani. The Ku****es won Egyptian affection as they fought to defend the country from the encroaching Assyrians, an ordeal with which they saw some early success, but eventually Egypt was conquered and made a tributary of Assyria, as mentioned above. An Assyrian campaign to conquer Kush, at the head of Egyptian armies, failed. Today Kush finds itself crowning Pharaohs and emulating the traditions of its northern neighbors, and similar Ku****e influence remains in some strongholds of Egypt proper. The opportunity exists for Kush to restore her empire, if she so desires.
Medes: Lead by Cyaraxes
The Medeans are a Persian group who have a proto-Zoroastrian religion, and a strong priesthood for that religion, formed as a confederation of six tribes who live in a handful of cities, which also serve as seasonal homes for many nomadic groups. Historically, during the power vacuum that is about to take shape as Assyria falls apart, it was the Medes who rose to power, and built an empire that, together with numerous allies, lead to the defeat of Urartu, Lydia, and of course Assyria itself, becoming a major power. This Medean empire would be the precursor to the great Achaemenids... after conquest by Cyrus of Anshan.
Anshan is a relatively minor kingdom, similar to Medes in the influx of nomadic settlers occasionally stopping in its cities. It was from Anshan that the Achaemenids would begin their campaigns that lead to the establishment of the Persian empire, of which Anshan formed the nucleus.
Babylon: Lead by Nabopolassar
Babylon is an ancient city, and one whose sphere of influence includes much of old Mesopotamia, where the Sumerians built the world's oldest cities untold millenia ago. It is also a fabulously wealthy and affluent city, with elaborate religious rituals echoing the mythology of old, and a center of learning and trade to rival Nineveh itself.
Elam: Lead by Humban-Kitin
Elam is an ancient country, emerging in parallel to the height of the ancient Sumerians. In recent years, Elam rebelled against Assyrian rule, and was powerful enough to divert Assyria's resources from campaign in Egypt long enough for the new Pharaoh to consolidate his reunification efforts. In the end, Elam was unsuccessful in escaping Assyrian rule, but had significantly weakened its overlords over the course of the campaign. Perhaps opportunity exists for Elam to grow strong, should others begin to feel Assyria is weak.
Etruscan League: Lead by Tyrsenos (fictional)
The Etruscan league is an alliance between a little more than a dozen cities centered around what is now Tuscany, along with cities along the Po river valley. These cities unite under a single leader, chosen through an elaborate religious ceremony. The Etruscans, who call themselves the Rasenna, are heavily influenced by nearby Greek colonies and traders, and are said to have connections with the Lydians as well. Wars to take prisoners for ransom from nearby Italians are common in the summers, and the league possesses a relatively strong navy, aligned with Carthaginian interests in containing Greek expansion.
Kush: Lead by Senkamanisken
Long ago, as Egypt fell apart in the midst of severe internal strife, the Ku****es invaded and easily conquered the fractured Egyptians. The Ku****es were quick to adopt various aspects of Egyptian society, and in doing so were crowned legitimate Pharaohs of Egypt, assimilating to the culture of their conquered subjects. This created the Ku****e dynasty in Egypt, which among others consisted of the great kings Taharqa and Tantamani. The Ku****es won Egyptian affection as they fought to defend the country from the encroaching Assyrians, an ordeal with which they saw some early success, but eventually Egypt was conquered and made a tributary of Assyria, as mentioned above. An Assyrian campaign to conquer Kush, at the head of Egyptian armies, failed. Today Kush finds itself crowning Pharaohs and emulating the traditions of its northern neighbors, and similar Ku****e influence remains in some strongholds of Egypt proper. The opportunity exists for Kush to restore her empire, if she so desires.
Medes: Lead by Cyaraxes
The Medeans are a Persian group who have a proto-Zoroastrian religion, and a strong priesthood for that religion, formed as a confederation of six tribes who live in a handful of cities, which also serve as seasonal homes for many nomadic groups. Historically, during the power vacuum that is about to take shape as Assyria falls apart, it was the Medes who rose to power, and built an empire that, together with numerous allies, lead to the defeat of Urartu, Lydia, and of course Assyria itself, becoming a major power. This Medean empire would be the precursor to the great Achaemenids... after conquest by Cyrus of Anshan.
Cilicia: A tributary of Assyria, later ally of Lydia against the incoming Medeans and Cimmerians.
Colchis: Ancient Georgia, a kingdom with trade ties to the Greeks, currently forced to pay tribute to the advancing Cimmerian hordes to survive.
D'mt: An ancient Eritrean kingdom, with close trade ties to Egypt and Saba, precursor to the Aksumite Empire of later ages.
Edom, Emmon, Judah, Moab: Various small kingdoms gathered around the Dead Sea, all of them tributaries to Assyria. Judah is the Jewish kingdom, though many Jews live in all these petty kingdoms. All of these small states are threatened by encroaching Nabateans from Arabia.
Kartli: Ancient Georgia (again), also forced to pay tribute to the Cimmerians. Somewhat less organized and commercial than their fellow Georgians.
Makedon: A minor kingdom located on the fringe of the Greek heartland, destined for greatness one day (far in the future) when Philippos II invades and conquers all of Greece, and his son, Alexander, swiftly conquers the Achaemenid empire.
Peloponnessian League: A league of allied cities under the leadership of Sparta, who had recently conquered the Messenians and enslaved them (becoming the "Helots" which do the bulk of actual economic activity in Sparta... and used as practice for young Spartan boys in training).
Saba: An ancient Yemeni kingdom, notable for its dams and trade with Egypt and D'mt. It has a strong grip on the ever-important Red Sea trade routes.
Sheba: Another ancient Yemeni kingdom, a competitor in the trade route with D'mt and the Sabeans.
Tabal: Tabal is the last remnant of the Hittite Empire, once a powerful kingdom that competed with New Kingdom Egypt for hegemony of the known world. Little remains of the Hittite people after the Bronze Age collapse, and the former great city of Hattusas now lays in abandoned ruins. These Neo-Hittites have weathered the storm better than their predecessors thanks in part to the proximity to Phoenicia. In the coming age, perhaps Tabal could restore the glory of her Hittite ancestors.
Colchis: Ancient Georgia, a kingdom with trade ties to the Greeks, currently forced to pay tribute to the advancing Cimmerian hordes to survive.
D'mt: An ancient Eritrean kingdom, with close trade ties to Egypt and Saba, precursor to the Aksumite Empire of later ages.
Edom, Emmon, Judah, Moab: Various small kingdoms gathered around the Dead Sea, all of them tributaries to Assyria. Judah is the Jewish kingdom, though many Jews live in all these petty kingdoms. All of these small states are threatened by encroaching Nabateans from Arabia.
Kartli: Ancient Georgia (again), also forced to pay tribute to the Cimmerians. Somewhat less organized and commercial than their fellow Georgians.
Makedon: A minor kingdom located on the fringe of the Greek heartland, destined for greatness one day (far in the future) when Philippos II invades and conquers all of Greece, and his son, Alexander, swiftly conquers the Achaemenid empire.
Peloponnessian League: A league of allied cities under the leadership of Sparta, who had recently conquered the Messenians and enslaved them (becoming the "Helots" which do the bulk of actual economic activity in Sparta... and used as practice for young Spartan boys in training).
Saba: An ancient Yemeni kingdom, notable for its dams and trade with Egypt and D'mt. It has a strong grip on the ever-important Red Sea trade routes.
Sheba: Another ancient Yemeni kingdom, a competitor in the trade route with D'mt and the Sabeans.
Tabal: Tabal is the last remnant of the Hittite Empire, once a powerful kingdom that competed with New Kingdom Egypt for hegemony of the known world. Little remains of the Hittite people after the Bronze Age collapse, and the former great city of Hattusas now lays in abandoned ruins. These Neo-Hittites have weathered the storm better than their predecessors thanks in part to the proximity to Phoenicia. In the coming age, perhaps Tabal could restore the glory of her Hittite ancestors.
Hellas:
Athina (Athens): Athens is currently ruled by tyrants, taking power in a relatively recent coup. Athens has naval hegemony in Greece, with a fleet of triremes, advanced warships which are quite rare as of now.
Korinthos (Corinth): Corinth is the center of trade in the Greek world, in part thanks to its strategic position, and the most "orientalized" due to its extensive connections with the Near East.
There are other Greek cities and of course lots of colonies, if you want to play those ask me.
Athina (Athens): Athens is currently ruled by tyrants, taking power in a relatively recent coup. Athens has naval hegemony in Greece, with a fleet of triremes, advanced warships which are quite rare as of now.
Korinthos (Corinth): Corinth is the center of trade in the Greek world, in part thanks to its strategic position, and the most "orientalized" due to its extensive connections with the Near East.
There are other Greek cities and of course lots of colonies, if you want to play those ask me.
All Phoenician cities are tributaries to Assyria, except the colonies, which pay minor tribute to their home cities.
Sidon: Considered the oldest Phoenician city and certainly among the most important, exporting purple dyes and fine glass. In ancient times colonists from Sidon founded the city of Tyre, which also grew into a great trading power, and to this day the two cities have a fierce commercial rivalry where they both claim to be the capital of Phoenicia. The glass industry is the most important in Sidon, followed closely by manufacturing dyes (done by crushing the shells of a species of sea snail), and is performed on a large scale.
Arwad: Arwad is an island city, like Tyre and some other Phoenician towns, notable for its shipbuilding expertise. Arwad docks build advanced ships, exported and copied by foreigners, the Assyrians themselves boasting about how they sail around in Arwadian ships. The city is also notable for being one of the earliest known republics in the world. Unlike most other Ancient Phoenician cities, Arwad remained important for centuries after Roman conquest.
Tyre: A wealthy Phoenician city, whose most prominent colony is Carthage itself. Tyre is the center of commerce in the Near East, the place where Lydians, Greeks, Egyptians, and Babylonians come together to trade. Tyre also exports the purple dyes for which the Phoenicians became known to the Greeks (the namesake meaning "purple-colored"). Tyrian trade posts extend as far as Memphis (Menefer) in Egypt. It is also a heavily fortified island-city... though this does not stop empires like the Assyrians from successfully conquering it.
Byblos: An ancient city, whose most important trade connection is its abundance of cedars, the only source of straight timber in the Ancient Near East, a trade that has been ongoing for thousands of years, with customers including Pre-Old Kingdom Egypt. Conserving this very valuable resource has been a key part of Byblos' history, as its the only relatively cheap wood suitable for building ships or bridges.
Kition: A melting pot of Greek and Phoenician culture, descended from ancient Phoenician and Mycenean settlers who arrived on Cyprus to exploit the copper deposits there. Kition is quite wealthy and important, due to this copper supply, which drew the attention of the Assyrians, who invaded it and forced it to pay tribute. Eventually Kition grows strong enough to build large colonies of its own.
Qart-Hadast: The largest Phoenician colony, founded just under 200 years ago by settlers from Tyre. Qart-Hadast, latinized as Carthago, becomes a superpower in its own right, building colonies of its own and attaining naval supremacy of the Mediterranean... for a time.
There are more colonies, if you want to play those ask me.
Sidon: Considered the oldest Phoenician city and certainly among the most important, exporting purple dyes and fine glass. In ancient times colonists from Sidon founded the city of Tyre, which also grew into a great trading power, and to this day the two cities have a fierce commercial rivalry where they both claim to be the capital of Phoenicia. The glass industry is the most important in Sidon, followed closely by manufacturing dyes (done by crushing the shells of a species of sea snail), and is performed on a large scale.
Arwad: Arwad is an island city, like Tyre and some other Phoenician towns, notable for its shipbuilding expertise. Arwad docks build advanced ships, exported and copied by foreigners, the Assyrians themselves boasting about how they sail around in Arwadian ships. The city is also notable for being one of the earliest known republics in the world. Unlike most other Ancient Phoenician cities, Arwad remained important for centuries after Roman conquest.
Tyre: A wealthy Phoenician city, whose most prominent colony is Carthage itself. Tyre is the center of commerce in the Near East, the place where Lydians, Greeks, Egyptians, and Babylonians come together to trade. Tyre also exports the purple dyes for which the Phoenicians became known to the Greeks (the namesake meaning "purple-colored"). Tyrian trade posts extend as far as Memphis (Menefer) in Egypt. It is also a heavily fortified island-city... though this does not stop empires like the Assyrians from successfully conquering it.
Byblos: An ancient city, whose most important trade connection is its abundance of cedars, the only source of straight timber in the Ancient Near East, a trade that has been ongoing for thousands of years, with customers including Pre-Old Kingdom Egypt. Conserving this very valuable resource has been a key part of Byblos' history, as its the only relatively cheap wood suitable for building ships or bridges.
Kition: A melting pot of Greek and Phoenician culture, descended from ancient Phoenician and Mycenean settlers who arrived on Cyprus to exploit the copper deposits there. Kition is quite wealthy and important, due to this copper supply, which drew the attention of the Assyrians, who invaded it and forced it to pay tribute. Eventually Kition grows strong enough to build large colonies of its own.
Qart-Hadast: The largest Phoenician colony, founded just under 200 years ago by settlers from Tyre. Qart-Hadast, latinized as Carthago, becomes a superpower in its own right, building colonies of its own and attaining naval supremacy of the Mediterranean... for a time.
There are more colonies, if you want to play those ask me.
These guys are not necessarily playable (in the sense of, I'd prefer these not be taken, but if everything else looks good than feel free to try) but probably good to know about them anyway.
Rome: The city of Rome is a willing member of the Etruscan league, and though it may not be Etruscan it considers them to be distant cousins - of sorts. The Latins in this time are a simple people, humble farmers with a mythology centered to the humdrum of daily life and the home. Over the next two centuries the Romans will form a Latin League, war with the Samnites, rebel from the Etruscan league, and go on to build an empire that is the foundation for much of Western civilization.
Cimmerians: Fleeing Scythian encroachment, the Cimmerians (from the Greek name "Kimmerioi" or something) considered "barbarians" but possessing advanced bows and renowned skill in using them. Many Cimmerians have laid siege to Lydia and conquered Georgia, and regularly raid Urartu and Assyria. Many, however, make their living as traders, interacting with Greek colonies.
Italians and Iberians: These guys have had a lot of outside influence, developing writing systems and traditions along Greek or Phoenician lines due to extensive contact with those peoples.
Libyans and Numidians: The Libyans are Egypt's oldest enemy, also perhaps oldest ally, with Libyan mercenaries and slave-soldiers fighting in Egyptian armies since the Old Kingdom. The Numidians are similar, fighting against and in the service of the Phoenician colonies along the coast, especially Qart-Hadast.
Nabatu: Land of the Nabateans, the future builders of Petra, considered more civilized than their nomadic Arab cousins. Have successfully resisted Assyrian and Egyptian attempts at conquest.
Persians: A mix of settled peoples and pastoral nomads, as Persia generally has always been, named by the Greeks for the land of Parsa. A few Persian kingdoms exist: Medes, Anshan, and Elam. The others are mostly migrants and traders.
Rome: The city of Rome is a willing member of the Etruscan league, and though it may not be Etruscan it considers them to be distant cousins - of sorts. The Latins in this time are a simple people, humble farmers with a mythology centered to the humdrum of daily life and the home. Over the next two centuries the Romans will form a Latin League, war with the Samnites, rebel from the Etruscan league, and go on to build an empire that is the foundation for much of Western civilization.
Cimmerians: Fleeing Scythian encroachment, the Cimmerians (from the Greek name "Kimmerioi" or something) considered "barbarians" but possessing advanced bows and renowned skill in using them. Many Cimmerians have laid siege to Lydia and conquered Georgia, and regularly raid Urartu and Assyria. Many, however, make their living as traders, interacting with Greek colonies.
Italians and Iberians: These guys have had a lot of outside influence, developing writing systems and traditions along Greek or Phoenician lines due to extensive contact with those peoples.
Libyans and Numidians: The Libyans are Egypt's oldest enemy, also perhaps oldest ally, with Libyan mercenaries and slave-soldiers fighting in Egyptian armies since the Old Kingdom. The Numidians are similar, fighting against and in the service of the Phoenician colonies along the coast, especially Qart-Hadast.
Nabatu: Land of the Nabateans, the future builders of Petra, considered more civilized than their nomadic Arab cousins. Have successfully resisted Assyrian and Egyptian attempts at conquest.
Persians: A mix of settled peoples and pastoral nomads, as Persia generally has always been, named by the Greeks for the land of Parsa. A few Persian kingdoms exist: Medes, Anshan, and Elam. The others are mostly migrants and traders.
To apply, use the usual format. I prefer you post rather than PM, so that others can see your choices.
Obviously, major powers should be filled first.
