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| − | {{Faction|image=[[Image:Symbol_byzantium.jpg|Faction Symbol for Byzantium]]|Name=Byzantine Empire|Game=[[Medieval II: Total War]]|Religion=[[Orthodox Christianity]]|Culture=[[Greek]]}} | + | {{Faction|image=[[Image:Byzantium 3.png|Faction Symbol for Byzantium]]|Name=Byzantine Empire|Game=[[Medieval II: Total War]]|Religion=[[Orthodox Christianity]]|Culture=[[Greek]]}} |
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| − | Byzantium is the shadow that remains of the old Roman Empire. It is a mere shadow because despite retaining the civilised ways of the Roman legacy, the Byzantines have done little to further it. In fact, it is their reverence of the old ways that has brought the empire to a point of stagnation, in a world that has gradually kept moving on. The differences between the thinking in Byzantium and the west were most profoundly highlighted with the Great Schism, the division of Christendom.
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| − | Despite boasting the world's trade capital and home of Orthodox Christianity in Constantinople, the Byzantine Empire is well past its zenith and is now in steady decline. The outer regions of the empire have been slipping from the Emperor's grasp for decades now. To the west, the Normans have taken southern Italy, and in the east the Turks have moved into Asia Minor after their decisive and terrible victory at Manzikert. The latter of these two losses was the worst defeat the Empire had suffered in its entire history. To make matters worse, general corruption, chaos and dissent has lead to some of the other provinces closer to home to rebel.
| + | '''The Byzantine Empire''' are a faction found in Medieval 2 Total War. The Byzantine Empire can be made playable be either defeating the faction in a campaign or by completing a long or short campaign. |
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| − | Arguably, the greatest threat to Byzantium lies in its independence from Rome. There is significant risk that the lords of the west will consider the lands of Orthodox Christianity to be fair game unless the Pope decrees otherwise. It is a true irony that Constantinople may now have to appease Rome after becoming the new capital of the Roman Empire centuries ago.
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| − | If the Byzantine Empire is to once again become the dominant power of the east again, then it will first need to reclaim its heartlands wholly before encroaching upon the borders of another power. The Byzantine legacy is long and predominantly proud, but unless the Emperor can turn things around and once again instill, it is a legacy that will soon end.
| + | ==Game Play== |
| | + | ===Starting Position=== |
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| | + | [[Image:Map_byzantium.png|thumb|right|The Byzantine Empire's starting position.]] |
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| − | == Campaign Strategy ==
| + | The Byzantine Empire controls land in eastern Greece and north-west Asia Minor. It is surrounded by the Turks to the East, Venice to the West, Hungary to the North and Egypt to the South. It also has a settlement on Cyprus which is located near the Holy lands. |
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| − | The Byzantine Empire begins with 5 provinces under its control with castles at Corinth and Nicosia and cities at Thessalonica and Nicea and its capital city of Constantinople. Early plans for expansion involve the capture of rebel settlements to North, such as Sofia, which is very important to keep the Hungarians in check, for some reason hungary goes for this settlement within the first few turns and if they get it, then they will have two good castles and a very rich capital to form a very solid base. So it is best to lay seige to this castle in the very first turns with the faction leader and some spearmen from Constantinople, and send the faction heir to the South East to Smyrna. Once the Byzantines have expanded sufficiently they should set their sites on the Turks to the East whilst remaining wary of Hungarians to the North and the Italian factions to the West especially the Venetians. | |
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| − | The early Byzantine forces consist mainly of Byzantine Spearmen and Trebizond Archers. These are supplemented by a set of highly effective cavalry units including the Byzantine cavalry, Vardariotai and Skythikon. In the early game cavalry archers from castles will dominate feild battles against the militia infantry of Hungary and Venice. Throughout the campaign it will be the Byzantine cavalry and missile troops that will be crucial to success in battle. These troops will have to compensate for the Byzantines lack of gunpowder units late in the campaign.
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| − | Grand Campaign Objective
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| − | Hold 45 regions, including: Rome and Jerusalem.
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| − | == Diplomacy ==
| + | Their cities are: |
| − | Make military alliances with Sicily and Milan (because they both want to destroy Venice), and Moors (they want the Egyptians destroyed). Stay on the Pope's good side, otherwise you may suffer from Crusades. Polish should also be allied with as they will also provide some assistance with the hungarians.
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| − | == Byzantine Units ==
| + | *Constantinople: Byzantine Capital; Region - Constantinople Province |
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| − | ===Light Infantry:===
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| − | ====Peasants ====
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| − | Life at the bottom rung of medieval society is not easy or healthy. In times of war peasants are forced from their farms and drafted into levies, and if they are lucky, given some kind of simple weapon to fight with. Unsurprisingly peasants are undisciplined troops who are better at fleeing than they are fighting.
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| − | ====Town Militia====
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| − | Common throughout Europe, Town Militia are commoners and peasants who have been levied into local militias to defend towns, roads and bolster armies. Given some training and equipped with a spear and little to no armour these units are useful in support roles for heavier and better units.
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| − | ===Spear / Pike Infantry===
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| − | ====Byzantine Spearmen ====
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| − | Byzantine Spearmen are a step up from spear militias, better trained and equipped these troops are able to form a defensive ring. These are longer serving soldiers, used to defending settlements and bolstering armies. Equipped with a spear and light armour these troops are a little more robust than local militias formed by peasants.
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| − | ====Spear Militia ====
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| − | These troops are peasants from villages and small towns across the Byzantine Empire who have been levied into local militias to defend towns, roads and bolster armies. Given some training and equipped with a spear and light little to no armour, these units are useful in support roles for heavier and better units.
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| − | ===Heavy Infantry ===
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| − | ====Byzantine Infantry====
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| − | Made up of soldiers recruited with small 'pronoiai' land grants, these Infantry "made up of peoples from all lands", fight for the Byzantine Empire more for profit then any sense of loyalty. These soldiers are equipped with a sword and large shield and wear mail armour for protection.
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| − | ====Varangian Guard ====
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| − | The most famous of all Byzantine units, made up wholely of Norsemen, the Varangian guard were initially a military levy sent to the Byzantine emperor from the 'Rus' which are now a permanent unit often used as a royal bodyguards. These superbly skilled warriors wield two handed axes with vicious abandon, hacking down the Emperor's enemies. They are highly powerful and are able to take down many opponents in one battle.
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| − | ====Dismounted Byzantine Lancers ====
| + | *Nicosia: Byzantine Town; Region - Isle of Cyprus |
| − | Well trained and well disciplined, Byzantine Lancers are well armoured and equipped with a lance and a sword. Common throughout the Byzantine Empire, their training and discipline allows makes them very useful on the battlefield, whether mounted or on foot.
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| − | ====Dismounted Latinkon====
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| − | Latinkon is the collective term in Latin for western European troops, mostly mercenaries, in the Byzantine army. Despite fluctuating numbers, there are enough of them to warrant the position of Megas Konostabllos being created to oversee them. Wearing heavy armour these experienced and well trained fighters are armed with lances and swords and are effective both mounted or on foot.
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| − | ===Missile Infantry===
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| − | ====Peasant Archers ====
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| − | While most peasants in Europe were levied into the army, at sword point if need be, some welcomed the opportunity to earn some pay, and travel. Peasant Archers are accustomed to using their bow for hunting. These peasant archers are armed with a small bow, knife, and if lucky enough, some armour.
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| − | ====Archer Militia ====
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| − | Members of such militias within the Byzantine Empire, are not career soldiers but a type of trained civilian guard called,' tzakones'. Responsible for protecting settlements, roads and forts, these archers are armed with a small bow and sword and wear padded armour.
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| − | ====Trebizond Archers ====
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| − | Hailing from the edge of the Black Sea and plying their trade in the service of Byzantium, these men are recruited from the peasantry but well trained in the use of the composite bow. They are effective against light infantry and when grouped in large numbers and can become a thorn in the side of any opponent.
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| − | ====Byzantine Guard Archers====
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| − | Byzantine guard troops are financed by the Emperor himself and unlike many Byzantine units consist purely of Greek troops. Skilled in the use of the composite bow, these troops issue a challenge to all Byzantium's enemies at range. Also equipped with a sword and wearing mail, the Guard Archers can withstand more combat than many other missile units.
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| − | ===Heavy Cavalry ===
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| − | ====Kataphractoi ====
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| − | The Kataphractoi trace their origins back to Roman times and are normally recruited from amongst the middle classes, providing the Byzantine army with a force of well trained and well disciplined cavalry units. Well protected and armed with a lance and a mace and although somewhat outdated by modern heavy cavalry, they still make for formidable fighters on the battlefield.
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| − | ====Byzantine Lancers====
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| − | Well trained and well disciplined, Byzantine Lancers are well armoured and equipped with a lance and a sword. Common throughout the Byzantine Empire, their training and discipline allows makes them very useful on the battlefield
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| − | ====Latinkon====
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| − | Latinkon is the collective term in Latin for western European troops, mostly mercenaries, in the Byzantine army. Despite fluctuating numbers, there are enough of them to warrant the position of Megas Konostabllos being created to oversee them. Wearing heavy mail through to plate mail these experienced and well trained fighters are armed with lances and swords.
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| − | ====Militia Cavalry ====
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| − | Used throughout the Byzantine Empire to protect merchants, provincial towns and roads, Militia Cavalry are poorly trained and armoured in light mail armour and equipped with a spear. These men are very good at chasing down archers and light infantry and light cavalry.
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| − | ====General's Bodyguard ====
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| − | These truly formidable troops are the general's personal bodyguard who accompany him on the battlefield. Selected for their loyalty and martial prowess these elite warriors fear little and shrug off odds that would crush many other units. Wearing heavy mail or partial plate and wielding lances this unit is capable of devastating charges and riding down most foes.
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| − | ===Missile Cavalry ===
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| − | ====Byzantine Cavalry ====
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| − | Made up of soldiers with small land grants, 'pronoiai', these cavalrymen are a type of reservist who is called up from time to time. These medium cavalry are influenced by Turkish tactics and training exercises and are better than most horse archers in melee. They wear padded to heavy mail armour and are equipped with a composite bow and sword.
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| − | ====Skythikon====
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| − | Skythikon is the Byzantine term used to describe the mainly Cuman, Asiatic Nomads, who serve the Byzantine Empire exclusively as horse archers. Accustomed to being on horseback in the plains and steppes of Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region, these cavalrymen wear little to no armour and are armed with a composite bow and a small sword.
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| − | ====Vardariotai ====
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| − | The Vardariotai are drawn mainly from the Magyars that settled in the Vardar Valley (Today's FY ROM), and their descendants. Disciplined and highly trained, the Vardariotai are elite horse archers. They wear light mail to light brigandine armour and fire a composite bow from horseback. Able to relentlessly pepper their enemies with arrows and use their mobility to stay out of trouble.
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| − | ===Mercenary Units ===
| + | *Nicaea: Byzantine Large Town; Region - Nicaea Province |
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| − | ====Alan Light Cavalry====
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| − | Alan Light Cavalry are hardy horsemen, accustomed to the plains and steppes of Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region. Having fought against the Byzantine Empire previously, now ironically they are highly valued as mercenaries by their former enemy. Allan Light Cavalrymen are equipped with spear and light armour, useful for skirmishing, raiding and ambushing tactics and for covering flanks.
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| − | ===Artillery===
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| − | ====Catapult====
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| − | Constructed of wood and capable of flinging stones large enough to crush a man's head, the catapult was a common site on the ancient Roman battlefield. Now in the medieval era the catapult is being replaced by newer and more powerful weapons.
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| − | Trebuchet
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| − | The counter-weight Trebuchet is an evolution of the man-powered mangonel and catapults dating back before the 11th century. It has quickly spread throughout the world as an effective siege engine capable of lobbing large wall- crushing boulders. The Trebuchet is also able to fling such things as burning missiles and rotten animal remains to devastate enemy units.
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| − | ====Ballista====
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| − | Invented in ancient Greece and resembling nothing more than a giant crossbow, the Ballista is capable of flinging a javelin with lethal force well over 100 meters! Unlike the crossbow the Ballista derives its force from twisted animal sinew and not tension from the frontal arms. No matter where the power comes from this weapon can impale any unit.
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| − | ==== Trebuchet ====
| + | *Corinth: Byzantine Large Town; Region - Corinth Province |
| − | Trebuchet, probably the modern equivelent of a rocket launcher, these hard hitting "catapults" were Europes, best siege Artilary until the invention of gunpowder. The counter-weight Trebuchet is an evolution of the man-powered mangonel and catapults dating back before the 11th century. It has quickly spread throughout the world as an effective siege engine capable of lobbing large wall- crushing boulders. The Trebuchet is also able to fling such things as burning missiles and rotten animal remains to devastate enemy units.
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| − | ====Bombard====
| + | *Thessalonica: Byzantine Large Town; Region - Thessalonica Province |
| − | The first primitive gunpowder siege artillery, bombards were created in China and Western Europe in the early 14th century and spread to the rest of the world by the late 14th century. Forged from bronze or iron, and designed to fire stone balls to crumble enemy defences. They also shoot inaccurate flaming balls wrapped in pitch-soaked rags, that can incinerate enemy troops!
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| | + | ===Victory Conditions=== |
| | + | *Long Campaign: Hold 45 provinces including Rome and Jerusalem. |
| | + | *Short Campaign: Hold 15 provinces and outlast or destroy [[Turks_(M2TW_Faction)|Turks]] and [[Venice_(M2TW_Faction)|Venice]] |
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| | + | ===Units=== |
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| | + | [[Image:Greek bodyguard info.png|thumb|right|Byzantine General's Bodyguard.]] |
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| | + | The Byzantine Empire has a very well rounded and powerful roster. Thier early roster revolves mostly around missile cavalry, of which they have many decent choices, including the excellent Vardariotai. Later on they have some good melee cavalry as well; it is not as elite as the best Western Knights but is still very useful and important. Thier early game infantry is not very good, relying on cheap Spearmen that can't even get many armour upgrades. However, once they upgrade their buildings they have a number of excellent choices from both cities and castles, including Dismounted Byzantine Lances, Dismounted Latinkon, and the legendary Varangian Guard. They have many strong long ranged archer units as well, not quite as elite as English Longbowmen but still very powerful. The Byzantine Empire does have very few gunpowder options, however. Despite that, a fully developed Byzantine army is a very versatile and effective fighting force. |
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| | + | *Infantry |
| | + | **[[Peasants_(M2TW_Unit)|Peasants]] |
| | + | **[[Town_Militia_(M2TW_Unit)|Town Militia]] |
| | + | **[[Byzantine_Spearmen_(M2TW_Unit)|Byzantine Spearmen]] |
| | + | **[[Spear_Militia_(M2TW_Unit)|Spear Militia]] |
| | + | **[[Byzantine_Infantry_(M2TW_Unit)|Byzantine Infantry]] |
| | + | **[[Varangian_Guard_(M2TW_Unit)|Varangian Guard]] |
| | + | **[[Dismounted_Byzantine_Lancers_(M2TW_Unit)|Dismounted Byzantine Lancers]] |
| | + | **[[Dismounted_Latinkon_(M2TW_Unit)|Dismounted Latinkon]] |
| | + | *Cavalry |
| | + | **[[Vardariotai_(M2TW_Unit)|Vardariotai]] |
| | + | **[[Skythikon_(M2TW_Unit)|Skythikon]] |
| | + | **[[Byzantine_Cavalry_(M2TW_Unit)|Byzantine Cavalry]] |
| | + | **[[Militia_Cavalry_(M2TW_Unit)|Militia Cavalry]] |
| | + | **[[Latinkon_(M2TW_Unit)|Latinkon]] |
| | + | **[[Byzantine_Lancers_(M2TW_Unit)|Byzantine Lancers]] |
| | + | **[[Kataphractoi_(M2TW_Unit)|Kataphractoi]] |
| | + | *Missile |
| | + | **[[Peasant_Archers_(M2TW_Unit)|Peasant Archers]] |
| | + | **[[Archer_Militia_(M2TW_Unit)|Archer Militia]] |
| | + | **[[Trebizond_Archers_(M2TW_Unit)|Trebizond Archers]] |
| | + | **[[Byzantine_Guard_Archers_(M2TW_Unit)|Byzantine Guard Archers]] |
| | + | **[[Ballista_(M2TW_Unit)|Ballista]] |
| | + | **[[Catapult_(M2TW_Unit)|Catapult]] |
| | + | **[[Trebuchet_(M2TW_Unit)|Trebuchet]] |
| | + | *Gunpowder |
| | + | **[[Bombard_(M2TW_Unit)|Bombard]] |
| | + | *Naval |
| | + | **[[Dromon_(M2TW_Unit)|Dromon]] |
| | + | **[[Fire_Ship_(M2TW_Unit)|Fire Ship]] |
| | + | **[[Lanternas_(M2TW_Unit)|Lanternas]] |
| | + | **[[Carrack_(M2TW_Unit)|Carrack]] |
| | + | *Bodyguard |
| | + | **[[General's_Bodyguard_(M2TW_Unit)|General's Bodyguard]] |
| | + | *Other |
| | + | **Alan Light Cavalry |
| | + | **Cuman Horse Archers |
| | + | *Local Mercenaries |
| | + | **Albanian Cavalry |
| | + | **Balkan Archers |
| | + | **Catalans |
| | + | **Mercenary Frankish Knights |
| | + | **Mercenary Monster Bombard |
| | + | **Slav Mercenaries |
| | + | **Turkomans |
| | + | **Armenian Archers |
| | + | **Armenian Cavalry |
| | + | **Turkopoles |
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| | + | ===Faction overview=== |
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| | + | '''Strengths:''' Very rich empire with the possibilities of getting even richer by controlling the Black Sea and surrounds. Very strong Horse archers and infantry in all periods. Very rich starting territories with rich surrounding rebel territories aswell. Very easy to link all your cities with trade. Uniquely positioned to control all faction traffic from the West going into the East and vice versa. Easy access to the rich holy lands, meaning your empire will only become more wealthy. |
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| | + | '''Weaknesses:''' Very limited once other factions reach the late period. No access to gunpowder. Every faction wants a piece of your rich rich lands, meaning you are likely to be attacked considerably. Shares borders with the Turks, a faction that will want you dead. Also prone to some Italian aggression from the West as Venice and Sicily expand Eastward. |
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| | + | '''Conclusion:''' The Byzantines are arguably the hardest faction to play. While they will not struggle to keep up with the other factions in the early and high periods they will fall greatly behind in the late period, due to having no access to the advanced technologies being discovered at that time. Your empire is very centrally located and all the factions will want to come through your lands for various reasons, a wise Emperor will let friendly and neutral factions pass through and hold your enemies to ransom at a crossroad. The Byzantines will have to deal with the Turks, preferably very early on, for if the Turks are allowed to advance and grow the task of destroying them will become that much more difficult. The Italian factions will also need to be pacified to a certain degree as they make their way East. It would not be wise for the Emperor to fight a war on two opposing fronts of his empire, lest he surely fail. Once the Turks have been dealt with, the Emperor should be free to deal with the menacing Italians and eventually the Mongol hordes that come from the East. |
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| | + | ===Strategy guides=== |
| | + | *[http://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=72055 Byzantine Empire Strategies at The Org] |
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| | + | ==Faction Details== |
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| | + | If you have further detailed information on the faction, such as strategies, AARs, pictures, or history, please post it on the Faction Details page in a new sub-section so that this page can be kept clean of opinionated information. |
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| | + | [[Byzantine Empire Details (M2TW Faction)]] |
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| | {{M2 Factions}} | | {{M2 Factions}} |
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| − | [[Category: Medieval 2: Total War Factions]]
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The Byzantine Empire are a faction found in Medieval 2 Total War. The Byzantine Empire can be made playable be either defeating the faction in a campaign or by completing a long or short campaign.
Game Play
Starting Position
The Byzantine Empire's starting position.
The Byzantine Empire controls land in eastern Greece and north-west Asia Minor. It is surrounded by the Turks to the East, Venice to the West, Hungary to the North and Egypt to the South. It also has a settlement on Cyprus which is located near the Holy lands.
Their cities are:
- Constantinople: Byzantine Capital; Region - Constantinople Province
- Nicosia: Byzantine Town; Region - Isle of Cyprus
- Nicaea: Byzantine Large Town; Region - Nicaea Province
- Corinth: Byzantine Large Town; Region - Corinth Province
- Thessalonica: Byzantine Large Town; Region - Thessalonica Province
Victory Conditions
- Long Campaign: Hold 45 provinces including Rome and Jerusalem.
- Short Campaign: Hold 15 provinces and outlast or destroy Turks and Venice
Units
Byzantine General's Bodyguard.
The Byzantine Empire has a very well rounded and powerful roster. Thier early roster revolves mostly around missile cavalry, of which they have many decent choices, including the excellent Vardariotai. Later on they have some good melee cavalry as well; it is not as elite as the best Western Knights but is still very useful and important. Thier early game infantry is not very good, relying on cheap Spearmen that can't even get many armour upgrades. However, once they upgrade their buildings they have a number of excellent choices from both cities and castles, including Dismounted Byzantine Lances, Dismounted Latinkon, and the legendary Varangian Guard. They have many strong long ranged archer units as well, not quite as elite as English Longbowmen but still very powerful. The Byzantine Empire does have very few gunpowder options, however. Despite that, a fully developed Byzantine army is a very versatile and effective fighting force.
- Infantry
- Cavalry
- Missile
- Gunpowder
- Naval
- Bodyguard
- Other
- Alan Light Cavalry
- Cuman Horse Archers
- Local Mercenaries
- Albanian Cavalry
- Balkan Archers
- Catalans
- Mercenary Frankish Knights
- Mercenary Monster Bombard
- Slav Mercenaries
- Turkomans
- Armenian Archers
- Armenian Cavalry
- Turkopoles
Faction overview
Strengths: Very rich empire with the possibilities of getting even richer by controlling the Black Sea and surrounds. Very strong Horse archers and infantry in all periods. Very rich starting territories with rich surrounding rebel territories aswell. Very easy to link all your cities with trade. Uniquely positioned to control all faction traffic from the West going into the East and vice versa. Easy access to the rich holy lands, meaning your empire will only become more wealthy.
Weaknesses: Very limited once other factions reach the late period. No access to gunpowder. Every faction wants a piece of your rich rich lands, meaning you are likely to be attacked considerably. Shares borders with the Turks, a faction that will want you dead. Also prone to some Italian aggression from the West as Venice and Sicily expand Eastward.
Conclusion: The Byzantines are arguably the hardest faction to play. While they will not struggle to keep up with the other factions in the early and high periods they will fall greatly behind in the late period, due to having no access to the advanced technologies being discovered at that time. Your empire is very centrally located and all the factions will want to come through your lands for various reasons, a wise Emperor will let friendly and neutral factions pass through and hold your enemies to ransom at a crossroad. The Byzantines will have to deal with the Turks, preferably very early on, for if the Turks are allowed to advance and grow the task of destroying them will become that much more difficult. The Italian factions will also need to be pacified to a certain degree as they make their way East. It would not be wise for the Emperor to fight a war on two opposing fronts of his empire, lest he surely fail. Once the Turks have been dealt with, the Emperor should be free to deal with the menacing Italians and eventually the Mongol hordes that come from the East.
Strategy guides
Faction Details
If you have further detailed information on the faction, such as strategies, AARs, pictures, or history, please post it on the Faction Details page in a new sub-section so that this page can be kept clean of opinionated information.
Byzantine Empire Details (M2TW Faction)
