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--------------------FOR THE PRESIDENT'S EYES ONLY------------------
---------"A Study of the Feasibility of an Invasion of Rome"--------
---Faculty of the Royal War Academy, Thebes, January 1, 1270---
This report has been prepared to investigate the possibility of a preemptive military strike upon the Roman Empire. The authors intend neither to persuade, nor to dissuade, President Cleopatra toward a given course of action, but rather to present the likely outcome of one potential choice.
Chapter I: General Status of the Empire, and World Events
Egypt is the most powerful nation on the planet, due both to its extensive borders, large population, and abundance of natural resources. Our relations with other nations have been relatively cordial and peaceful throughout our history, despite our recent wars against the Iroquois and Aztecs. The Iroquois are all but destroyed - reduced to a small enclave in the Azores islands. Neither we nor the Aztecs had the reach necessary to do great harm to one another, due to the Pacific Ocean that separates us from one another. They are unlikely to present a threat in the near future, due to their current war with England (a lucrative trading partner and friendship we should cultivate). Little progress seems to have been made by either side in that particular war. The English are the 2nd most powerful nation on Earth, but the Aztecs a fairly close 3rd, and have the benifit of good defensive terrain (known as the Rocky Mountains) along their border with England. America has wisely avoided entering the fray, as the Aztecs would make short work of their small, yet prospering Argentine nation. Greece (in Southern Africa) and Germany (Australia) present little threat, and provide outlets for some of our surplus resources.
Finally, there is Rome. Aside from a small number of tiny settlements in the tundra of North America and Siberia, Rome is confined to Europe. Our borders surround them to the East and South. They gained nothing from the anti-Iroquois alliance, as Egypt now controls the former Iroquois lands. Until the end of that conflict, since nearly the dawn of time, relations with Rome have been extremely pleasant. That Rome's attitude toward us has cooled so quickly is somewhat of a mystery. We are currently trading some of our surplus luxury items to Rome, but not as much as in the past.
Chapter II: Current Status of the Egyptian Armed Forces vis-a-vis those of Rome.
Thanks to the innovations of our esteemed colleagues at Newton's University, our armed forces are the most advanced in the world. We have recently upgraded approximately 20 of our regiments of Heavy Horse (Knights) to Rifle-armed Cavalry, and several new regiments have been formed. Several more are due in the near future. Six elite H.H. regiments remain, as per the President's instructions. Our cities are defended by musketmen, and several extras are presently fortified at the Roman border. We have also replaced the ancient Catapults captured from the Iroquois with Cannon, and have formed them into 2 batteries.
The Roman armed forces are known to have musketmen and knights, but the main force consists of Legionaries. Though these units fought well against the Mounted Warriors of the Iroquois, they are no match for our Cavalry. There are also numbers of older units such as pikemen and spearmen defending several Roman cities, particularly the outlying ones.
Chapter III: The likely outcome of an attack on Rome.
Given our technological superiority, our military can be expected to inflict much greater losses than it sustains. Numerically, however, we have a relatively small strike force available at this time. If losses are sustained, the war will bog down until reinforcements can be formed and directed to the front. Given the political climate now prevalent in the Empire, this would have adverse effects upon our nation. War with Rome would also deprive the Romans of the luxury items we sell them, and deny us the revenue generated by that sale.
Given the proximity of Rome's core cities to our second Capitol, the assimilation of those cities into our empire would boost our economy noticeably. Further, the one luxury resouce currently outside of our control, Wine, can be found in abundance near Rome.
CONCLUSIONS:
An attack on Rome offers the opportunity to annex prosperus new lands, gain access to more resources, and advance our western border to the Atlantic Ocean. Attacking now guarantees that our Cavalry will face, at worse, musketmen, legionaries and knights. Further, the apparent policy shift in Caesar's cabinet has disturbing implications for the future, should Rome acquire more advanced weaponry.
However, an attack on Rome may sour relations with other nations, who already envy our wealth, power, and advancement. Our lack of numerical superiority raises the possibility of a long war. Additionally, Rome has been a trustworthy ally and trading partner for centuries. Given that our paramount position in the world at this time, the conquest of Rome is not necessary to guarantee our continued dominance.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's note: The above report is a result of an actual internal debate I had about whether or not I should attack Rome in my current game. I originally posted this on Civ Fanatics, and figured I'd put it up here, too.
The settings & quick background: Normal Earth Map, 8 civs, Monarch, Egypt. Started in a surprisingly fertile Siberia, and expanded west until I hit the Urals, and South into India and IndoChina. Egypt in 1270 already had local access to 7 out of the 8 luxuries, and all known strategic resources.
Anyway, here is part II:
--------------------FOR THE PRESIDENT'S EYES ONLY------------------
---------"A Study of the Feasibility of an Invasion of Rome"--------
---Faculty of the Royal War Academy, Thebes, January 1, 1270---
This report has been prepared to investigate the possibility of a preemptive military strike upon the Roman Empire. The authors intend neither to persuade, nor to dissuade, President Cleopatra toward a given course of action, but rather to present the likely outcome of one potential choice.
Chapter I: General Status of the Empire, and World Events
Egypt is the most powerful nation on the planet, due both to its extensive borders, large population, and abundance of natural resources. Our relations with other nations have been relatively cordial and peaceful throughout our history, despite our recent wars against the Iroquois and Aztecs. The Iroquois are all but destroyed - reduced to a small enclave in the Azores islands. Neither we nor the Aztecs had the reach necessary to do great harm to one another, due to the Pacific Ocean that separates us from one another. They are unlikely to present a threat in the near future, due to their current war with England (a lucrative trading partner and friendship we should cultivate). Little progress seems to have been made by either side in that particular war. The English are the 2nd most powerful nation on Earth, but the Aztecs a fairly close 3rd, and have the benifit of good defensive terrain (known as the Rocky Mountains) along their border with England. America has wisely avoided entering the fray, as the Aztecs would make short work of their small, yet prospering Argentine nation. Greece (in Southern Africa) and Germany (Australia) present little threat, and provide outlets for some of our surplus resources.
Finally, there is Rome. Aside from a small number of tiny settlements in the tundra of North America and Siberia, Rome is confined to Europe. Our borders surround them to the East and South. They gained nothing from the anti-Iroquois alliance, as Egypt now controls the former Iroquois lands. Until the end of that conflict, since nearly the dawn of time, relations with Rome have been extremely pleasant. That Rome's attitude toward us has cooled so quickly is somewhat of a mystery. We are currently trading some of our surplus luxury items to Rome, but not as much as in the past.
Chapter II: Current Status of the Egyptian Armed Forces vis-a-vis those of Rome.
Thanks to the innovations of our esteemed colleagues at Newton's University, our armed forces are the most advanced in the world. We have recently upgraded approximately 20 of our regiments of Heavy Horse (Knights) to Rifle-armed Cavalry, and several new regiments have been formed. Several more are due in the near future. Six elite H.H. regiments remain, as per the President's instructions. Our cities are defended by musketmen, and several extras are presently fortified at the Roman border. We have also replaced the ancient Catapults captured from the Iroquois with Cannon, and have formed them into 2 batteries.
The Roman armed forces are known to have musketmen and knights, but the main force consists of Legionaries. Though these units fought well against the Mounted Warriors of the Iroquois, they are no match for our Cavalry. There are also numbers of older units such as pikemen and spearmen defending several Roman cities, particularly the outlying ones.
Chapter III: The likely outcome of an attack on Rome.
Given our technological superiority, our military can be expected to inflict much greater losses than it sustains. Numerically, however, we have a relatively small strike force available at this time. If losses are sustained, the war will bog down until reinforcements can be formed and directed to the front. Given the political climate now prevalent in the Empire, this would have adverse effects upon our nation. War with Rome would also deprive the Romans of the luxury items we sell them, and deny us the revenue generated by that sale.
Given the proximity of Rome's core cities to our second Capitol, the assimilation of those cities into our empire would boost our economy noticeably. Further, the one luxury resouce currently outside of our control, Wine, can be found in abundance near Rome.
CONCLUSIONS:
An attack on Rome offers the opportunity to annex prosperus new lands, gain access to more resources, and advance our western border to the Atlantic Ocean. Attacking now guarantees that our Cavalry will face, at worse, musketmen, legionaries and knights. Further, the apparent policy shift in Caesar's cabinet has disturbing implications for the future, should Rome acquire more advanced weaponry.
However, an attack on Rome may sour relations with other nations, who already envy our wealth, power, and advancement. Our lack of numerical superiority raises the possibility of a long war. Additionally, Rome has been a trustworthy ally and trading partner for centuries. Given that our paramount position in the world at this time, the conquest of Rome is not necessary to guarantee our continued dominance.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's note: The above report is a result of an actual internal debate I had about whether or not I should attack Rome in my current game. I originally posted this on Civ Fanatics, and figured I'd put it up here, too.
The settings & quick background: Normal Earth Map, 8 civs, Monarch, Egypt. Started in a surprisingly fertile Siberia, and expanded west until I hit the Urals, and South into India and IndoChina. Egypt in 1270 already had local access to 7 out of the 8 luxuries, and all known strategic resources.
Anyway, here is part II:
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