Rome 325BC - Directions for the Emperor Aquavian Lungarius

[Aqualung71]

Greetings, Senators of Rome. Your newly elected Emperor, I, the humble Aquavian Lungarius, is honoured to serve the nation in its hour of need.

While I am currently busy pleasing the serving girls in the baths (you can do very interesting things with grapes), I would be honoured to hear your considered opinions on how the empire should be run in these crucial next 25 years.

I will add that my predecessor, Emperor Modo I (how did he know there will be a Modo II?), has left the Republic of Rome in excellent shape and in his short 25 year reign has stamped the authority of Rome on our region and given our enemies something to think about! I'm thankful that the poison administered by that anonymous wretch did not take the life of my friend Modo, so he will still be around to give advice from the Senate floor

I will be on the job in a couple of days

Meanwhile, let the thinking (and the juices) flow

[Modo44]

Re: Rome 325BC - Directions for the Emperor Aquavian Lungarius

Originally posted by Aqualung71
I will add that my predecessor, Emperor Modo I (how did he know there will be a Modo II?)

Runs in the family.

Originally posted by Aqualung71
Meanwhile, let the thinking (and the juices) flow

Well, our forces started rolling through both Carthage and the Celts. More Legions are ready or will be soon, so send them in. Also, you might want to upgrade the ones at hand. Then they would be really scary and the reinforcements would be closer. Expect some counterattacks.

I'm sure I don't have to convince you, Senator Aquavian, about the need for more Workers.

I'd start preparing Citizens also, as new land is ripe for picking in the north-west.

[Paddy]

looking forward to this

[Aqualung71]

What about research? I'm in favour of heading straight for the Heavy Cavalry and Legionary III, which seems to be a no-brainer

Workers will definitely be on the agenda, as will citizens to fill the gaps to the north

[Paddy]

ahhh your on track

[McMeadows]

It all seems to a bit obvious at this point. The strategic decisions made at the start of the game have not yet all been fullfilled, so carry on the same line.

In the heel of Italy there's a plains tile available 66 (or 69) from Croton for a city. Otherwise I suspect the Greek will soon take the available tile on Italy in their territory next to it.

Research as proposed sounds well. Same for upgrading and reinforcing troops. Good luck taking Sicily and battling the Celts.

[Addled Platypus]

I take it there will bw not hit and run raids once we establish Heavy Calvary?

Just quick ends to the means?

[Aqualung71]

Originally posted by McMeadows
It all seems to a bit obvious at this point. The strategic decisions made at the start of the game have not yet all been fullfilled, so carry on the same line.

Oh, I can see your leanings, Senator McMeadows. You wish the Emperor Aquavian Lungarius to be a mere shadow of the great Emperor Modo!

I shall be no puppet leader. The Emperor Aquavian Lungarius will have his 15 minutes of fame. Senators, I call on you all for some fresh ideas!

[Aqualung71]

Firstly, Persia has 100g they can give us for communications with the Celts. May as well take the money while we can. We need to keep Persia as a friend, as the Macedonians will soon be our target

Egypt and Macedonia will also pay for contact with the Celts.....this will net us some more sweet cash

Research: I have no idea why Emperor Modo has pursued Literature. Friend - how many turns have you spent on this? Is it a new job? I would recommend we immediately switch to Military Training, then move towards The Republic (for the FP) and then to Imperialism. On another issue - the southern cities are crying out for Aqueducts, but my advice above totally sidesteps the Construction tech - comments please!

Wonders: I don't disagree with the Emperor Modo's choice of the Temple of Artemis and the Oracle, except that every other civ is also building them. Certainly, the Bacchanalia would be much better than the Oracle, but requires us to research Literature and Philosophy. Perhaps then, the current wonder builds may become pre-builds for Bacchanalia.

Build Queues: I don't propose to change much, though I'm unsure of why we are investing shields in Temples if we really believe we will snare the ToA. Legionaries, Workers and Citizens are my priorities, given that we do not yet have Literature or any other building-techs.

Well that's enough for now Senators....please give your advice and your new Emperor shall impart his undoubted wisdom to decide on the best course for Rome

[EDIT: I am also preparing a poll for voting on these and some other issues....please watch out for it]

[Modo44]

Originally posted by Aqualung71
Firstly, Persia has 100g they can give us for communications with the Celts. May as well take the money while we can. We need to keep Persia as a friend, as the Macedonians will soon be our target
Egypt and Macedonia will also pay for contact with the Celts.....this will net us some more sweet cash

Good point.

Originally posted by Aqualung71
Research: I have no idea why Emperor Modo has pursued Literature. Friend - how many turns have you spent on this? Is it a new job? I would recommend we immediately switch to Military Training, then move towards The Republic (for the FP) and then to Imperialism. On another issue - the southern cities are crying out for Aqueducts, but my advice above totally sidesteps the Construction tech - comments please!

Literature was my choice before realizing, that we can have a tech lead, becuse of our sole Golden Age. Tactics took exactly 5 turns, so it's all yours to change - no effort will be lost. Both Legions III and Aqueducts are badly needed. I'd research the technology that would be there faster.

Originally posted by Aqualung71
Wonders: I don't disagree with the Emperor Modo's choice of the Temple of Artemis and the Oracle, except that every other civ is also building them. Certainly, the Bacchanalia would be much better than the Oracle, but requires us to research Literature and Philosophy. Perhaps then, the current wonder builds may become pre-builds for Bacchanalia.

Hadrian's Wall would be a good one also. Just imagine every conquered city getting a Temple and Walls for free. I only started two wonders because of our Golden Age (others still didn't start). Otherwise it would be a waste of time to go for more than one.

Originally posted by Aqualung71 Build Queues: I don't propose to change much, though I'm unsure of why we are investing shields in Temples if we really believe we will snare the ToA. Legionaries, Workers and Citizens are my priorities, given that we do not yet have Literature or any other building-techs.

Temples would be there for cities to grow now, instead of later, without messing with lux slider settings too much (20% instead of 30% is a lot, especially in GA). ToA is more for those newly built small cities, so they can skip one building and have a free border expansion.

[Aqualung71]

Thank you for your prompt response, Emperor Modo....one wishes the lesser Senators were as responsive. Clearly they are yet to understand the burdens of leadership

Your points are well made and well received. I can certainly see the benefit in the ToA, particularly since it does not expire. I suggest therefore we switch Temple builds over to other items, since the delay on the ToA (given Rome's high growth rate) will only be about 9 turns. Remember also Emperor, that border expansion is not so necessary when one's population remains limited by a lack of Aqueducts, a particular problem in the south of Rome where our forefathers placed our cities rather infortuitously!

Thanks for the repsonse on Literature. I am more convinced we should research something else, though I am torn between the military security offered by MT and the economic prosperity available through Construction. I must say, I am leaning towards Construction, and I am sure future Emperors will thank us warmly for delivering them the opportunity to manage a much larger empire!

I cannot agree though with your advice on Hadrian's wall. Aqueducts and size 7 cities make Walls obsolete. In my opinion, the risk factor in waiting for cities to grow to size 7 is worth it, and the shields otherwise invested can be used for a more long-term Wonder (or other builds).

[Aqualung71]

Please go to the poll to vote and discuss on current strategy and issues

[Modo44]

Originally posted by Aqualung71
I cannot agree though with your advice on Hadrian's wall. Aqueducts and size 7 cities make Walls obsolete. In my opinion, the risk factor in waiting for cities to grow to size 7 is worth it, and the shields otherwise invested can be used for a more long-term Wonder (or other builds).

You missed a point here, methinks. Hadrian's Wall is there to help invasion. You take a city, it gets Walls, becoming very easy to defend. The idea is to have the instant defensive bonus.

[Aqualung71]

True, Emperor Modo....though if your attack force is sufficient, it will soon be pushing further into enemy territory making counterattack against the recently conquered city unlikely. Also, if the conquered city is size 7 or more, the free Walls offered by Hadrian's are of no effect.

[Modo44]

Yes, it does depend on your strategy. I'm used to having just enough forces to do the job, which might be the reason I like those Walls fast.

One other thing comes to mind: dreadful fort cities with free Walls and Temples.