should I specialize my cities?

[The diplomat]

Specializing does have the disadvantage that you are "putting all your eggs in one basket". If you lose a city to an aggressive neighbor, it will be a bigger hit than if you spread out your science, culture etc...

[Martinus]

Originally posted by The diplomat
Specializing does have the disadvantage that you are "putting all your eggs in one basket". If you lose a city to an aggressive neighbor, it will be a bigger hit than if you spread out your science, culture etc...

Yes and no. Your military city should be among the best defended ones you have as if you lost it, you're a toast - however if you have a strong military city and you lose e.g. your science city, your military city should be able to pump out an army to retake it quickly.

As for barracks, on second thought I think another good place do build them would be your food/settler/worker city - this will allow you to draft your citizens fast with Nationhood in emergency.

[Martinus]

Incidentally, specialization is another reason why Rome is one of the best civs (if their uber powerful unit wasn't enough) - both Expansionistic and Organized give you bonus to build buildings that you need in every city (granary, and courthouse respectively), whereas you really do not need barracks (Aggressive), market (Financial) or university (Philosophical) everywhere.