Eastern Roman Empire (RTW:BI Faction)

Eastern Roman Empire (RTW:BI Faction)
Name:	The Eastern Roman Empire
From Game:	Barbarian Invasion
Religion:	Christian/Pagan
Culture:	Roman
Playable:

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The Eastern Roman Empire is one of the playable factions in Rome: Total War's expansion Barbarian Invasion.

Historical Overview

In 330 AD, the capital of the Roman Empire was moved to the ancient city of Byzantium, situated between the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara. Constantine renamed it Nova Roma, and after he died in 337 AD it was named Constantinople in his honour.Constantine also converted the Romans to Christianity.

For decades the Roman Empire had struggled to maintain control over its vast territories. Splitting the Empire into West and East was a logical solution, however the West was, in general, more vulnerable and less wealthy than the East.

The "founding" of the Eastern Roman Empire has been placed at several key points. Some historians claim it was formed at the founding of Constantinople in 199, others the ascension of Theodosius as Eastern Augustus in 395.

The Eastern Roman Empire survived the fall of Rome in 476.However,centuries later,Justinian I became emperor.He gained lost provinces of the Western Roman Empire and it was under his rule that Eastern Romam Empire ,( or the Byzantine Empire as it is known as today ) managed to conquer Carthage,North Africa,Italy and southern Spain.However,the Arabs soon attacke dthem a few years after Justinian's death.The Arabs conquered Egypt,Carthage,Spain,Sicily,the Middle East and Turkey from the Eastern Roman Empire.After this,the Eastern Roman Empire began a steady decline.It is playable as the Byzantine Empire in M2TW.

Game Play

The Eastern Roman Empire lies between Europe and Asia and connects Orient and Occident. Due to its location, it has developed a unique culture and military. It combines the power of eastern cataphracts and horse archers with the discipline of Rome's legions. While the Empire's primary enemy is the Sassanid Empire to the east, the approaching barbarian hordes may become a considerable problem as well. Furthermore, if the people are unhappy and revolt a Roman shadow faction - namely the Eastern Empire Rebels - can emerge; they are a dangerous enemy, as they have powerful Roman troops as well.

Starting Position

The Eastern Roman Empire start the game as occupiers of much of Southeastern Europe, also holding land in Asia Minor, the Levant, and North Africa.

Win Conditions

Hold 34 provinces including Thracia (Constantinople), Aegyptus (Alexandria), Northern Italy (Rome) and Africa (Carthage).

Units

The Eastern Roman Empire is a defensive but well rounded faction. Their Infantry is the backbone of their roster, and gets progressively more powerful as the faction develops. Their early infantry are spearmen with high defense but low attack and shaky morale; later on their Comitatenses and Plumbatarii fill the more traditional Roman Legionary role, but still aren't as brave as Caesars legions. The Comitatenses First Cohort, the elite infantry of the Roman Empire, are as brave, are available everywhere and are probably the strongest Infantry unit in the game. The Eastern Roman Empire also has access to some incredibly powerful Cataphracts units from the top level Stables; they also get a decent and well armoured Horse archer unit. For missiles they get standard archers, a stronger and longer ranged armored Archer, all the siege units, and the very vulnerably but extremely deadly Carriage Ballista.

Infantry

Eastern Roman Empire General's Bodyguard.

• Limitanei
• Legio Lanciarii
• Comitatenses
• Comitatenses First Cohort
• Plumbatarii

Cavalry

• Equites Auxilia
• Hippo-toxotai
• Scholae Palatinae
• Equites Clibinarii
• Equites Cataphractii
• Imperial Household Guard

Ranged

• Archers
• Eastern Archers
• Onagers
• Ballistae
• Heavy Onagers
• Repeating Ballistae
• Carriage Ballistae
• Scorpions

Strategy

At the start of the game the Sassanids to the east will pose the biggest threat. However, you are rich and strong enough to take them out in 10 - 15 turns.

Once the Sassanids have been taken care of, invade North Africa. The WRE will have few troops here and it's four more provinces.

After that just head into Illyria et Dalmacia and Southern Italy.

The Huns and Vandals may pose some threat to you, but the ERE can survive without its European provinces.

Overall the ERE is a relatively easy faction to play as, provided you know what you are doing.

However, while your main threat is to the east, make sure that you are in a good position in the west. The Western Roman Empire has some excellent provinces, and although they field an excellent army, their generals are weak, which should make defeating the western empire much easier than the Sassanids. However do not be over confident when it comes to fighting the WRE; as said earlier they field a might army of good quality infantry. However their weak point is their lack of decent cavalry, which means that your excellent eastern style cavalry will totally destroy both their infantry and their cavalry. The exception to this are the generals' body guard cavalry, which are excellent despite their poor commander. The German Imperial Guards are more than a match for any Easterner cavalry, however once their general is killed the guard will quickly flee the battle.

See Also

Eastern Roman Empire walkthrough

• Eastern Roman Rebels
• Byzantine Empire (M2TW)

Barbarian Invasion Factions
Eastern Roman Empire | Western Roman Empire | Huns | Goths | Sarmatians | Vandals | Franks | Saxons | Alemanni | Sassanids | Celts | Burgundii | Lombardi | Roxolani | Berbers | Slavs | Romano British | Ostrogoths | Eastern Roman Rebels | Western Roman Rebels | Rebels