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                               ARTAXERXES
                    The Fall of the Spartan Hegemony
                            By Stefan Härtel
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WARNING: YOU NEED FANTASTIC WORLDS TO PLAY THIS SCENARIO!

After completing my trilogy "Quest for Asia" about the rise and fall of the Persian empire, I found that there was a leak between Persia of 486 and 334 BC. Because this was the greatest part of Persian rule, I made a scenario. Out came "Artaxerxes"-a tragedy, an epic about conquest and suffer, power and weakness, greed and struggle for independence and the will for peace-short a Civilization II scenario.

This scenario actually tells two stories, as the title tells. The reign of the Persian king Artaxerxes II and the Corinthian war and the time after it. On the timeline of the world's history these 30 years might not be important, but believe me, this epoch is just as fascinating as other Greek Wars, such as the Persian Wars or the Pelopponesian Wars, which changed the history greatly. For those who are interested in Greek history, don't wonder if you have never heard about the Corinthian War. I have read about it only when I was already in deep research for this scenario. Due to this, I had to change the scenario mightily.

Historical Background
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Artaxerxes...what a name. Three kings (if you want to look at it that way even four) with this name have taken the throne of the Achaemenid empire. The first one (reigned 465-424) succeeded Xerxes I. (reigned 486-465) and was king when the Pelopponesian war broke out (431 BC). After the Assasination of Xerxes II. in winter 423 BC, Darius II (reigned 423-404) came on the throne. His son, Artaxerxes II (reigned 404-359) had to face many challenges when he took the throne: Egypt has become independent, Phoenecia and northern Asia Minor are no longer under Persian control. But most importantly, his brother, Cyrus, revolted against Artaxerxes, and undertook an expedition with 13000 Greek mercenaries, until being kiled himself during the battle of Cunaxa 401 BC (Yes, the Cunaxa that is featured in the 'extra' city list). The Greeks, first under Klearchos, after his death under the leadership of Xenophon travelled back in an adventorous journey through Kurdistan and northern Asia Minor, as Xenophon described in his famous 'Anabasis'.
Artaxerxes had planned to retake Egypt, but these plans did not suceed due to Cyrus' revolt. 
Besides fighting against the Spartans in the Corinthian War and defeating them with the help of Athens and Thebes and surpressing some Satrap revolts in the West, nothing more important happened during his reign. Was this a sign of competent leadership? I sincerely don't know, but it seemed to be.
His successor was Artaxerxes III (reigned 359-338), who recaptured Egypt. Not much more is known about his reign. After his death, a man called Arses took the throne as Artaxerxes IV. He was pushed away by his own uncle (I believe, not quite sure), who put Darius III on the throne. Darius killed that man to prevent him taking over too much political power. What happened with Darius III? See my scenario 'Quest for Asia-The conquests of Alexander the Great' about that :).
The Sassanids (the second Persian empire, after about 600 years of foreign rule, the Greeks and Parthians) had 3 kings named Ardaxshir, which is obviously a later form of the name Artaxerxes. Ardaxshir I founded the Sassanid empire. I must admit that I was a little lazy and did not yet care about the Sassanid history, although I am close to understanding it...

Units:
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As you'll be propably used to when you've played my "Quest for Asia" scenarios, my units system is very simple. There are non-attack (completely defensive based) units and attack units, each civilization has it's very own ones, some more than others. I have included some half attack half defense units (which can attack but are more intended for defense) like the Phalenx, Trade units, Settlers and Diplomats.
The Naval units are also very simple: Attack and transport units. I will not list all of them here, because it would be far too easy. To quote Microprose: "Half the fun lies in finding out..." (?)


Civilizations:
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The Civilizations designed for play are either Persia, the Delian league or Sparta. Here is alist of the Civilizations with their advantages and disadvantages:

Romans
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The small city state of Rome is now independent. At the beginning, it is only a loose connections of smaller cities. This is adequadely simulated in the scenario. There are only two Roman cities, and a small variety of military units. It is so isolated, that it is independent from any happenings around Greece. It would take much time to build and develop new cities and recruit a large force. Time you haven't really got. Don't take this civilization.

Sparta&Allies
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Meant to represent the Pelopponesian league and it's allies on Sicily and Asia Minor. The collection of cities is quite big, and the forces are well-organized. It is the most powerful city of Greece, after all. I reccomend this civilization for anyone who wants to have a challenge and fight on all borders: against Carthage on Sicily in the West, Persians in the east and upset Greek cities in the north. However, they can negotiate with other Greeks and the Persians and eventually change sides.
Protagonists, reccomended.

Thebans
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Despite it is only one city you're dealing with, you've got a relatively large force, and Athens and Persia as your allies. It is a good challenge to play this civilization, but not really reccomended.

Independents
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This is a collection of weaker states, mostly revolting vassals or simply independent states, hoping to become a world power. These are: Egypt, India, Nubia/Abessinia, Macedonia and Illyria. THe Scythians also are in, although only during raids. I just put this civ in for the game mechanics require something like that.

Persians
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The largest, richest and most powerful civilization of them all. 
The Persians will have to deal with the Spartans from early on. I really reccomend them!

Delian League
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Actually the 2nd Delian league, formed after the fall of the first one after the Pelopponesian wars.
I reccomend this civilization, because at the beginning of the scenario, they will have Persia and Thebes behind their back. Athens is also a very-well protected fortress, so Sparta will have some trouble trying to storm it. It's quite a challenge playing with the Delians.

Carthaginians
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They have got an adequade force and are quite rich. Their empire is also quite big. You'll mostly have to deal with Barbarian cities at the start, so it's quite boring. You will never be able to fight Persia. I don't reccomend this civilization,it'll be very boring.

Neutrals
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The Independent Greek and Phoenecians are controled by the Barbarians, so you can't play with them obviously.

Wonders:
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There are all possible 28 wonders in this scenario:

WONDER                   CITY
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Pyramids                Memphis
Hanging Gardens         Babylon
Trade Harbor            Tyrus
Apadana                 Persepolis
Wall of Persepolis      Persepolis
Tomb of Cyrus           Pasagardae
Oracle                  Delphi
Fertile Farmlands       Babylon
Median Embassy          Ecbatana
Ishtar Gate             Babylon
Ancient Wisdom          Athens
Phoenecian Colonies     Tyrus
Hanno's voyage          Karchedon (Carthage)
Hammurabi's Laws        Babylon
Treasure House          Persepolis
Temple of Amon          Thebes
Great Sphinx            Memphis
Homeric Tales           Ephesos
Gordian Knot            Gordium
Naqsh-i Rustam          Persepolis
The Satrapies           Ecbatana
Acropolis               Athens
Silk Route              Kyreshate
Phoenecian Colonies     Tyrus
Dionysios' War Academy  Syrakosai
Theater of Epidauros    Epidauros
Temple of Artemis       Ephesos
Greek Colonies          Halikarnassos

Dionysios' War academy, the Theater of Epidauros and the Great Sphinx where never before used in any of my scenarios. All others should be common to the players of my previous scenarios.

Technologies
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No Techs in this scenario, it is a total war.

The Title.Gif
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This is the Athenian harbour (I used to live in Canada, explains the 'ou') of Peiraieus during a siege by Spartan ships.

Government types:
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Don't be surprised if you find your favorite government types, but they seem to behave strangely.
The Persians have a fundamentalistic government, that is dubbed "Oriental despoty". Herodotus described Persia that way, and it seems that has been the image of Persia until now, however historians prove different. Whatsoever, it sounded cool to me, so I just took it.
The Delian league is a Communism, dubbed "Democracy" (I know what you think. Forget it, just for this scenario, OK?), because I had terrible difficulties with the "real" Democracy while designing this scenario. It all works out well now, though.

Other Notes&Bugs:
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-I gave all civs at least one Attack unit, however Persians and Greeks have got more. Some where not built, because others where more powerful, so I've changed their role into "Air supreriority", so don't be surprised.

-Unfortunately, the Computer gives information of all new cities founded to other civs. So, the Romans know of Babylon or Gordium for example, even though they've never beens there. This is really annoying, but it shouldn't change the gameplay.



Credits
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Quite a bit to credit here. First of all, I would like to thank Allard Höfelt, who was in charge of the artwork. He has done a really good job!
Mr. Temba put in much time for playtesting this scenario. He gave me many good tips, such as putting in elephants as a Carthaginian equivalent to the camels etc. Jesús Balsinde gave me some good hints on the technical stuff. Mike Jeszenka put up a preview on his page.
Most of the units graphics where made by Allard and/or me. You may use any of these in your scenarios (marked with 'AHS' and/or 'SH') as long as you credit us and don't erase the signature(s)! The other designers are listed here:
The Phoenecians and Persian diplomats where made by Alex the Magnificent. THe Tower graphic is from Bernd Schuster's Fall of Rome scenario. 
Jesús Balsinde made the Camel rider graphic. The rest where taken from various collections, mostly Harlan Thompson's Ancient units collection, one of my favorite graphic toys.
The Persian and Greek cities where made by me. The independent style is from Microprose's Atlantis scenario, the fortreses where made by me and modified by Allard Höfelt. The flags where revised by Allard.
Most of the wonder icons where made by me. The Barracks, Academy and Town center where made by me with modifications by Allard Höfelt.
The others where either made by Allard, sent to me by him, or taken from Harlan's Allicons.gif (another one of my favorite toys). The terrains where sent to me by Allard, with minimal modifications by myself. I found these superb mountains in a terrain collection, but I dare say they where made by Harlan Thompson.
Playtesting:
Mr. Temba
Allard Höfet
Jesús Balsinde

Bibliography:
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This scenario owes a lot to the following books:
-Wiesehöfer, Josef: Das Antike Persien
-Lotze, Detlef: Griechische Geschichte
-Baltrusch, Ernst: Sparta
-Koch, Heidemarie: Es kündet Dareios der König
-Stein, Werner: Der Kulturfahrplan
-Wiesehöfer, Josef: Das frühe Persien (has more about the history itself than 'Das antike Persien')
-DTV Atlas der Weltgeschichte Band 1 Von den Anfängen bis zur Französischen Revolution
-And of course, the always great Westermann's Atlas der Welt Geschichte that has always helped me in my scenarios.


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FEEDBACK:
If you have comments or questions, critics or ideas, then I'd like to read them! 
Write to this adress:
Stefan.Haertel@t-online.de

Stefan Härtel, July 28th 1999
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