The Reign of Emperor Mike4879 the First

(1) 2110 BC - Emperor Mike IV VIII VII IX rises to power. The former Zulu capitol of Zimbawe has been left unguarded due to the barbarian uprisings. The city has fallen into chaos. Emperor Mike orders the spearmen back into the city, reestablishing civil order and defense. Fearing that the other civilizations may be getting an upper hand, the city of Adamantus is ordered to change production from worker to settler. Warriors exploring north of Zimbawe and near Persian cities are ordered to return back to Babylon for defense.

(2) 2070 BC - Order is restored in the Babylonian province of Zimbawe. Our warriors are moving back towards the homeland. We continue to maintain a reserve of over 100 gold. In a rare move, Emperor Mike agrees to trade Ceremonial Burial and 36 gold for Masonry from the Persians. Realising we are near technological supremacy in the region, Emperor Mike also strikes a deal with our old rivals the Zulus, trading 36 gold to complete our research of the Alphabet. Our civilization begins researching Writing.

(3) 2030 BC - News has arrived that our old hated enemies the Zulus have researched The Wheel. Emperor Mike grows weary of the Zulu insolence and decides to make a trade that will solidify dominance over them. We offer Masonry and Mysticism for all of the Zulu's gold, one gold per turn and the Wheel! Emperor Mike is confident we will be able to achieve full supremacy over these primitive nations.

(4) 1990 BC - Workers near Zimbawe are progressing in their work, we continue to await our new onslaught of settlers that will give us even more of an advance over these primitive civilizations that hold us back. It appears the ZUlus have researched Iron Working and refuse to trade it with us! Emperor Mike insists we must have this technology, and orders that we obtain gold from the Persians. The Alphabet and The Wheel are traded for 46 gold and 2 gold per turn from the Persians. We purchase Iron Working from the Zulus for 103 gold. The population of Zimbawe is getting extremely high, and civil disorder may break out once again. Emperor Mike orders a nearby warrior to keep order in Zimbawe.

(5) 1950 BC - With the discovery of Iron Working, our civilization soon realises that the last remaining Zulu city of Ulundi has 2 iron resources within its sphere of influence. If we could conquer Ulundi, not only would we have these resources, but we would have wiped out the Zulus! Emperor Mike must take time to consider this idea.

(6) 1910 BC - One of our warriors to the south continues to head back to the Babylonian homelands.

(7) 1870 BC - Emperor Mike receives exciting news about his empire. The Temple of Babylon is almost completed, and a group of settlers is gathering in Admantus to form a new city.

(8) 1830 BC - Barbarians have been spotted near Zimbawe, as well as several miles south of Admantus. Settlers have departed from Adamantus and the Temple of Babylon has been built. Adamantus has been ordered to produce bowmen. Babylon is now producing workers.

(9) 1790 BC - Our cultural influence has increased around Admantus. The barbarians south of Admantus and near Zimbawe have been destroyed by our forces. We have expanded our palace.

(10) 1750 BC - Our warrior heading towards Babylon has been ordered to meet with settlers at the site of a new city that is planned south west of Admantus. Settlers continue to head to their destinations. The Zulus who still possess only one city, will not trade Horseback Riding. It is clear that the Zulus must be punished for this insolence.

(11) 1725 BC - Barbarians have been spotted north of Zimbawe once again. A Zulu warrior also approaches the area bordering Zimbawe and the Zulu capitol of Ulundi.

(12) 1700 BC - The town of Babylon has produced a new worker, and the cultural influence surrounding it has increased, absorbing one of our colonies. Babylon is now ordered to produce bowmen. EXTREMELY BAD NEWS - Settlers heading south of Zimbawe are about to be ambushed by several barbarians. This will be a major setback.

(13) 1675 BC - Our settler south of Zimbawe has been destroyed by barbarians. Zimbawe is holding strong against barbarian attacks. Emperor Mike holds a grand speech in the capitol city of Admantus promising an increase in military power that will quote, "crush the skulls of our enemies like Emperor Eli did before us". Zimbawe is ordered to produce a temple.

(14) 1650 BC - In step one of the "Grand Solution", a new town is founded southwest of Admantus. Emperor Mike names it Elius, in honor of Emperor Eli who came before him. Public approval skyrockets. Elius has been ordered to produce a temple.  The population of Zimbawe decreases from 116,000 (4) to 76,000 (3) after Emperor Mike orders the temple built IMMEDIATELY.

(15) 1625 BC - The temple in Zimbawe has been built and the population has increased back to 100,000 (pop. 4). Zimbawe is now building bowmen. Emperor Mike is paranoid at the conditions of the empire and wild rumors are heard about him pacing around the palace late at night. One of our warriors has been fortified at Elius

(16) 1600 BC - Barbarians once again surround Zimbawe and prepare an attack. A recent study shows that the Persians have exactly the same number of towns as our civilization. Emperor Mike feels this is "unacceptable".

(17) 1575 BC - Zimbawe has survived against another barbarian attack with more to come.  Barbarians have been spotted south of Elius. Admantus has built a bowman that is ordered to head towards Zulu territory. Admantus is ordered to produce a settler. Emperor Mike once again demands the knowledge of Hoseback Riding from the Zulus who refuse.

(18) 1550 BC - The barbarian attacks outside Zimbawe have stopped. A single barbarian unit has arrived outside of Elius.

(19) 1525 BC - Our single warrior unit defending Elius has barely survived the barbarian attack. Our cultural influence around Zimbawe has increased, and Babylon has produced a new bowmen that has also been ordered to approach Zulu territory.

(20) 1500 BC - The Babylonian gold reserves have reached over 100 gold for the first time in over 1000 years. But the empire is soon struck with horror, as Emperor Mike is assasinated in Zimbawe while giving a speech in a public square! Emperor Mike's legendary last words are... MAKE THEM PAY