Notes on the scenario:

Historical notes:

The year 400 AD signs the start of the Barbarian Invasions, which put an
end to the unity of the Mediterranean world under the Roman Empire. By
the year 395 the Empire has been divided between Rome (Western Romans) 
and Constantinople (Eastern Romans). Each empire tries to survive under
instant attacks of the German tribes and Huns. Within 100 years the West 
was completely conquered by the German tribes, who had founded five kingdoms: 
Franconians dominated in Gaul and Germany, Western Goths in Spain and 
Southern Gaul, Eastern Goths in Italy, Burgundians between Rhine and Rhone 
and Vandals in Northern Africa and some of the islands. On the Eastern 
front the Emperors of Constantinople were also in conflict with the kingdom of 
the Sassanids who had renewed Persian power. By 624 Emperor Herakleios 
inflicted a major defeat to his rival Chosru II., but then a few years later 
he met the new religiously inspired power of the Arabs. Still the East Roman 
Empire renewed by the Greeks survives and by 800 the whole Mediterranean 
world is divided between three powers: Franconians in Gaul, Germany and 
Italy, East Romans in Greece, Asia Minor and Southern Italy and Arabs in 
Persia, Egypt, Northern Africa and Spain. Little remains of the Western 
Goths' kingdom in Spain, whike the Vandal, Burgundian and Eastern Goths' 
kingdoms have completely dissappeared.


Representing the age of the Barbarian Invasions with its extremely mobile 
warfare in a civ2 scenario has been a nice challenge. First of all I 
would have liked to change the city walls bonus from triple to double. 
Since this was impossible I had to give lots of units to the aggressive
nations (Goths, Franconians, Vandals and Arabs). Unfortunately the computer 
makes a pretty bad use of these forces. To increase the speed of the game
I also changed some of the rules. As new units is introduced a fast Cavalry 
with three move points. This allows much faster German raids in the 
civilized countries of the Empire. I also changed the defense value of 
archers to 1, and increased the cost of Pikemen. The Fanatics (Arabs) are 
less strong on the defence side (1 instead of 4). 


Diplomacy: 

In the beginning this game would not require a great diplomatic
activity, at least if you are playing one of the aggressive nations. 
Unfortunately for these the computer players still tend to cease fire 
treaties with the two empires. On the other hand, this the only chance of
survival for the two Roman players as long as their defences are low. 

Map: 

The map has been developed from the one given in the official Rome scenario. 
I took the frame and then I changed almost everything. Italy and Greece are
slightly enhanced now, in order to allow more cities and real operations in 
these most important countries. On the other hand the border regions as Spain, 
France and Persia have been somehow reduced without distortion. I would have 
liked to have some more space in the East, but unfortunately it seems 
impossible to transfer a given map into a major frame. Anyway, there are 
more rivers now and lots of particular items. Note for example the 
historical Pontinic swamps south of Rome or the Aegean islands. If you
want you can build more than 20 cities only in Italy. I like it a lot now 
and I hope you do as well. 

Winning:

Defending all they got would be a marginal victory for both Empires. 
For a decisive victory you should conquer some other objective or build 
some wonders. If you take one of the German tribes, the Sassanids or Arabs 
try to conquer about half of the map and you'll do fine.


Rules.txt modifications :

The rules.txt file has been modified. In order to use this feature, copy the 
rules.txt into the directory in which civ2 resides. In order to change back 
to your standard rules, copy the rules.txt file from your cd, or back up your 
own copy before you start.  


The changes:

Cavalry:

Fast "Cavalry" (with the Draagon-icon) moves 3 (3/1/3)

Phalanx: 

has been changed to 2/2/1

Archers: 

have been changed to 3/1/1

Fanatics:

have been changed to 4/1/1

Triremes:

have been changed to 2/1/4

Knights:

have just been renamed in "Heavy Cavalry".


Titles:
Some titles have been changed: Greek "Imperator" or "Basileos", German 
"Duke" (with Despotism), Arab "Prophet" (with Fundamentalism), Kalif,
Sultan or Grand Vizir.

Wonders: 
I have renamed a lot of wonders in order to include them in the scenario.
Most important is Porta Nigra (Great Wall).


That's it.  If you like, please feel free to use these new rules with 
your regular game. Let me know if you enjoyed the game. You can contact 
me under Peter.Weber@ADM.UNIPI.it  


This scenario is copyright (c) 1997 Peter Weber.  It may be 
distributed free of charge, provided that it remains unchanged.  
Enjoy.
