B.C. Series

The B.C. Series is a mod which includes a great variety of campaigns. The mod leader is Sonny Costanzo, who is also the only modder who has been developing this mod. The mod is compatible with Rome: Total War. It has its own hosted forum at TWC.

History

The mod has seen very fast development, with many releases within 2011.

Campaign Features

Samnium Calling Campaign

General Setting

The year is 310 B.C.

Important Factions

• Seleucid Empire

Antigonus orders Nicanor, one of his generals, to invade Babylonia from the east and his son Demetrius Poliorcetes to attack it from the west. Nicanor assembles a large force but it is surprised and defeated by Seleucus at the river Tigris, and his troops are either cut to pieces or defect to the enemy. Similarly, Demetrius Poliorcetes fails to oust Seleucus. Asia Minor Ptolemy attacks Cilicia, territory held by Antigonus. In Sicily The tyrant of Syracuse Agathocles escapes from the siege of the city by the Carthaginians and carries the war with the Carthaginians back into his enemy's territory. Rome deals with renewed trouble from the Etruscans, who are persuaded by the Samnites to cease their alliance with the Romans. Illyria The Autariatae disappears due to Celtic migrations.

• Etruscans

Etruscan expansion was focused both to the north beyond the Apennines and into Campania. Some small towns in the 6th century BC have disappeared during this time, ostensibly consumed by greater, more powerful neighbors. However, there exists no doubt that the political structure of the Etruscan culture was similar, albeit more aristocratic, to Magna Graecia in the south. The mining and commerce of metal, especially copper and iron, led to an enrichment of the Etruscans and to the expansion of their influence in the Italian peninsula and the western Mediterranean sea. Here their interests collided with those of the Greeks, especially in the 6th century BC, when Phoceans of Italy founded colonies along the coast of France, Catalonia and Corsica. This led the Etruscans to ally themselves with the Carthaginians, whose interests also collided with the Greeks. Around 540 BC, the Battle of Alalia led to a new distribution of power in the western Mediterranean Sea. Though the battle had no clear winner, Carthage managed to expand its sphere of influence at the expense of both the Etruscans and the Greeks. Etruria saw itself relegated to the northern Tyrrhenian Sea. From the first half of the 5th century BC they lost their south provinces (Campanian Etruria), the new international political situation meant the beginning of the Etruscan decline. In 480 BC, Etruria's ally Carthage was defeated by a coalition of Magna Graecia cities led by Syracuse. A few years later, in 474, Syracuse's tyrant Hiero defeated the Etruscans at the Battle of Cumae. Etruria's influence over the cities of Latium and Campania weakened, and it was taken over by Romans and Samnites. In the 4th century BC they lost their north provinces (Padanian Etruria), Etruria saw a Gallic invasion end its influence over the Po valley and the Adriatic coast. Meanwhile, Rome had started annexing Etruscan cities.

• Samnites

The earliest written record of the people is a treaty with the Romans from 354 BC, which set their border at the Liris River. Shortly thereafter the Samnite Wars broke out; they won an important battle against the Roman army in 321 BC, and their imperium reached its peak in 316 BC after further gains from the RomansSamnium was delimited by Latium in the north, by Lucania in the south, by Campania in the west and by Apulia in the east. The principal cities of the region were Bovaiamom, renamed Bovianum by Latins (today: Bojano or Boiano) and Malventum (Maloenton in Oscan), which was later renamed Beneventum by the Romans (today: Benevento). For most of their history the Samnites were landlocked, but during a brief period they controlled parts of both coasts of the Italian peninsula. The Samnites were composed of at least four tribes: the Pentri (the most important tribe, capital: Bovianum), the Caraceni (principal cities: Cluviae, the modern Casoli, and Juvanum, the ruins of which are spread between Torricella Peligna and Montenerodomo), the Caudini (capital: Caudium, today Montesarchio) and the Hirpini (Oscan for wolf; capital Beneventum), and later may have been joined by the Frentani (capital Larinum, the modern Larino). The federal capital of the League they formed was Bovianum, except for a short period between the 4th and 3rd centuries BC, when it was Aquilonia, destroyed by Romans in 293 BC, whose probable location today is modern Aquilonia, in Campania, province Avellino.

• Massilia

Marseille, which can be called the oldest city in France, was founded in 600 BC by Greeks from Phocaea as a trading port under the name Μασσαλία (Massalia; see also List of traditional Greek place names). The connection between Μασσαλία and the Phoceans is mentioned in Book I, 13 of the History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides. The precise circumstances and date of founding remain obscure, but nevertheless a legend survives. Protis, while exploring for a new trading outpost or emporion for Phocaea, discovered the Mediterranean cove of the Lacydon, fed by a freshwater stream and protected by two rocky promontories. Protis was invited inland to a banquet held by the chief of the local Ligurian tribe for suitors seeking the hand of his daughter Gyptis in marriage. At the end of the banquet, Gyptis presented the ceremonial cup of wine to Protis, indicating her unequivocal choice. Following their marriage, they moved to the hill just to the north of the Lacydon; and from this settlement grew Massalia. View from the Vieux-Port towards Notre-Dame-de-la-GardeMassalia was one of the first Greek ports in Western Europe, growing to a population of over 1000. It was the first settlement given city status in France. Facing an opposing alliance of the Etruscans, Carthage and the Celts, the Greek colony allied itself with the expanding Roman Republic for protection. This protectionist association brought aid in the event of future attacks, and perhaps equally important, it also brought the people of Massalia into the complex Roman market. The city thrived by acting as a link between inland Gaul, hungry for Roman goods and wine (which Massalia was steadily exporting by 500 BC)

• Antigonid Empire

The Antigonid dynasty (Greek: Δυναστεία των Αντιγονιδών) was a dynasty of Hellenistic kings descended from Alexander the Great's general Antigonus I Monophthalmus ("the One-eyed"). Succeeding the Antipatrid dynasty in much of Macedonia, Antigonus ruled mostly over Asia Minor and northern Syria. His attempts to take control of the whole of Alexander's empire Antigonus I Monophthalmus: Antigonus I Monophthalmus (Greek: Ἀντίγονος ὁ Μονόφθαλμος, "Antigonus the One-eyed", 382 BC – 301 BC), son of Philip from Elimeia, was a Macedonian nobleman, general, and satrap under Alexander the Great. During his early life he served under Philip II, and he was a major figure in the Wars of the Diadochi after Alexander's death, declaring himself king in 306 BC and establishing the Antigonid dynasty. After the war had been carried on with varying success from 315 to 311, peace was concluded, by which the government of Asia Minor and Syria was provisionally secured to Antigonus. This agreement was soon violated on the pretext that garrisons had been placed in some of the free Greek cities by Antigonus, and Ptolemy and Cassander renewed hostilities against him. Demetrius Poliorcetes, the son of Antigonus, wrested part of Greece from Cassander.

• Epirus

The Molossian Aeacidae dynasty managed to create the first centralized state in Epirus from about 370 BC onwards, expanding their power at the expense of rival tribes. The Aeacids allied themselves with the increasingly powerful kingdom of Macedon, in part against the common threat of Illyrian raids, and in 359 BC the Molossian princess Olympias, niece of Arybbas of Epirus, married King Philip II of Macedon. She was to become the mother of Alexander the Great. On the death of Arybbas, Alexander the Molossian, uncle of Alexander the Great of Macedon, succeeded to the throne with the title King of Epirus. In 334 BC, the time Alexander the Great crossed into Asia, Alexander I the Molossian lead an expedition in southern Italy in support of the Greek cities of Magna Graecia against the nearby Italian tribes and the emerging Roman Republic. After some successes on the battlefield, he was defeated by Rome and killed in battle c. 331 BC

The Way of the Epirote Campaign

General Setting

In 281 BC, the Greek city of Tarentum, in southern Italy, fell out with Rome and was faced with a Roman attack and certain defeat. Rome had already made itself into a major power, and was poised to subdue all the Greek cities in Magna Graecia. The Tarentines asked Pyrrhus of Epirus to lead their war against the Romans Pyrrhus was encouraged to aid the Tarentines by the oracle of Delphi. His goals were not, however, selfless. He recognized the possibility of carving out an empire for himself in Italy. He made an alliance with Ptolemy Ceraunus, King of Macedon and his most powerful neighbor, and arrived in Italy in 280 BC. He entered Italy with an army consisting of 3,000 cavalry, 2,000 archers, 500 slingers, 20,000 infantry and 20 war elephants in a bid to subdue the Romans.The elephants had been loaned to him by Ptolemy II, who had also promised 9,000 soldiers and a further 50 elephants to defend Epirus while Pyrrhus and his army were away.

It is 280 B.C. The Epirotes rule over most parts of southern Italy, including Tarent. Antiochus makes his eldest son, Seleucus, king in the east, but he proves to be incompetent. Antiochus is compelled to make peace with his father's murderer and King of Macedon, Ptolemy Keraunos, abandoning, for the time being, his plans to control Macedonia and Thrace. Nicomedes, King of Bithynia, is threatened with an invasion from Antiochus who has already made war upon his father, Zipoites. Antiochus actually invades Bithynia but withdraws again without risking a battle. Antiochus is unable to bring under his control the Persian dynasties that rule in Cappadocia. Antiochus is defeated by Egypt's Ptolemy II in the Damascene War. The Achaean League is reformed by twelve towns in the northern Peloponnesus and will later grow to include non-Achaean cities. It has two generals, a federal council with proportional representation of members and an annual assembly of all free citizens. The League achieves a common coinage and foreign policy and the member cities pool their armed forces. Rhodes, rising in prosperity, becomes head of an Island League and helps to keep the peace and freedom of the Greek islands in the Aegean Sea. The Colossus of Rhodes is completed by the sculptor Chares of Lindos after twelve years' work. It becomes one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The Colossus of Rhodes is a giant statue of the Greek god Helios. It stands 70 cubits tall, over 30 metres (100 feet), making it the tallest statue of the ancient world.

New Factions

• Baktria

It is not known whether Bactria formed part of the Median Empire, but it was subjugated by Cyrus the Great, and from then formed one of the satrapies of the Persian empire. After Darius III of Persia had been defeated by Alexander the Great and killed in the ensuing chaos, his murderer Bessus, the satrap of Bactria, tried to organize a national resistance based on his satrapy. Alexander conquered Bactria without much difficulty; it was only in Sogdiana to the north, beyond the Oxus, that he met strong resistance. Bactria became a province of the Macedonian empire, and soon came under the rule of Seleucus, king of Asia. The Macedonians (and especially Seleucus I and his son Antiochus I) established the Seleucid Empire, and founded a great many Greek towns in eastern Iran, and the Greek language became for some time dominant there. The paradox that Greek presence was more prominent in Bactria than in areas far more adjacent to Greece could possibly be explained by the supposed policy of Persian kings to deport unreliable Greek colonists to this the most remote province of their huge empire. The many difficulties against which the Seleucid kings had to fight and the attacks of Ptolemy II of Egypt, gave to Diodotus, satrap of Bactria, the opportunity of making himself independent (about 255 BC) and of conquering Sogdiana. He was the founder of the Greco-Bactrian kingdom. Diodotus and his successors were able to maintain themselves against the attacks of the Seleucids particularly Antiochus III the Great, who was ultimately defeated by the Romans (190 BC).

• Epirus

The Epirotes seem to have initially been regarded with some disdain by the Greeks of the south. The 5th century BC historian Thucydides describes them as "barbarians" and the only Epirotes regarded as truly Greek were the Aeacidae, who claimed to be descended from Neoptolemus, son of Achilles. Plutarch mentions an interesting cultural element of the Epirotes regarding Achilles. In his biography of king Pyrrhus, he claims that Achilles "had a divine status in Epirus and in the local dialect he was called Aspetos" (Pyrrhus, 1, 3-4). The Aeacidae established the Molossian dynasty, who built a state in Epirus from about 370 BC onwards, expanding their power at the expense of rival tribes. The Molossians allied themselves with the increasingly powerful kingdom of Macedon and in 359 BC the Molossian princess Olympias, niece of Arybbas of Epirus, married King Philip II of Macedon. She was to become the mother of Alexander the Great. On the death of Arybbas, Alexander of Epirus succeeded to the throne and the title King of Epirus. Aeacides of Epirus, who succeeded Alexander, espoused the cause of Olympias against Cassander, but was dethroned in 313 BC..\n\n Now with territroy in Italy and Epirus, the starting position is strong, especially with the new king Pyrrhus at the head of a large army near Tarentum. Epirus must expand fast if it wants to survive in this hostile world. The threat of the Greeks and Macedonians to the south of Epirus, and the mighty Romans to the north in Italy means that early victories are key. If Epirus can expand quickly, and win early victories, it will have the chance to be a great kingdom. If not, its future will be short.

The Road to Messina-The First Panic War Campaign

General Setting

275 B.C. After the battle of Beneventum, and the following departure of Pyrrhus of Epirus, southern Italy is now under control of a weak and loose confederation of the Samnites, the Bruttians and some Greek Cities, with Tarent being the strongest of them. It should be easy for the romans to conquer the whole peninsula within a short time. But: This might be a provocation for the mightiest power of the western Mediterranean: CARTHAGE!

Ashoka on the Map Campaign

General Setting

The year is 270 B.C. The Diadochi Wars are over. Three main Empires remained. The Seleucid Empire, the Ptolemaic Empire and the antigonid Macedonia. Will it be possible to reunite Alexanders Empire for one of them?

Rome's subjugation of Italy is completed by the recapture of Rhegium (southern Italy) from the Mamertines and the defeat of the Brutians, the Lucanians, the Calabrians and the Samnites. Is Sicily next?

Carthage, already in control of Sardinia, southern Spain and Numidia, is ruled by an oligarchy of merchants under two Suffetes or chief magistrates. While Carthage's military commanders are strong, the state relies on mercenaries (including Spanish ones) for its soldiers. Will the current peace between Rome and Carthage last for long?

The Greek kingdom of Bactria (or Greco-Bactrian kingdom) began as an offshoot of the Seleucid empire. The sheer size of the eastern Seleucid domains must mean that the satraps governing the provinces had significant freedom from central control. You start as an ally to the seleucids. Will you claim for independance?

In 273 B.C. Ashoka the Great becomes king of the Mauryan Empire. The Mauryan Empire was a geographically extensive Iron Age historical power in ancient India, ruled by the Mauryan dynasty from 321 BC. Originating from the kingdom of Magadha in the Indo-Gangetic plains in the eastern side of the Indian subcontinent, the empire had its capital city at Pataliputra. The Empire was founded in 322 BC by Chandragupta Maurya, who had overthrown the Nanda Dynasty and rapidly expanded his power westwards across central and western India taking advantage of the disruptions of local powers in the wake of the withdrawal westward by Alexander the Great's Greek and Persian armies. By 320 BC the empire had fully occupied Northwestern India, defeating and conquering the satraps left by Alexander. Is Bactria their next goal?

The Kingdom of Pontus was is Hellenistic Kingdom on the southern coast of the Black Sea. It was founded by Mithridates I in 291 B.C. Despite being ruled by a dynasty which was a descendant of the Persian Achaemenid Empire it became hellenized due to the influence of the Greek cities on the Black Sea and its neighboring kingdoms. Can you keep pontus` autonomy?

The Sabaeans or Sabeans (Arabic: السبأيون‎ as-Saba’iyūn) were an ancient people speaking an Old South Arabian language who lived in what is today Yemen, in the south west of the Arabian Peninsula. Some scholars suggest a link between the Sabaeans and the Biblical land of Sheba. During Sabaean rule, trade and agriculture flourished generating much wealth and prosperity. The Sabaean kingdom is located in what is now the Aseer region in southwestern Yemen, and its capital, Ma'rib, is located near what is now Yemen's modern capital, Sana'a. According to Arab tradition, the eldest son of Noah, Shem, founded the city of Ma'rib.

When the Achaemenid Empire conquered the Caucasus and Asia Minor in the 6th century BC, the territory of Ararat (Urartu) was reorganized into a satrapy called Armina (Harminuya in Elamite, Urashtu in Babylonian). The Satrapy was ruled by the Armenian Orontid Dynasty with limited to full independence under Orontes I. In 331 BC, after Battle of Gaugamela, Armenia's satrap Orontes III and the ruler of Lesser Armenia Mithridates recognized themselves independent, thus giving birth to Greater Armenia or Kingdom of Armenia and Lesser Armenia. Orontes III also defeated the Alexander the Great's commander Menon, who wanted to capture Sper's gold mines. The Diadochi never stopped thinking about Armenia as part of their territory. Will you be able to prove them wrong?

Campaigns to be released in the future

The following campaigns are under development and have not been released yet:

• the Alexandrian and post-Alexandrian campaign series (named "Rise of Hellenism"), which are to consist of:
  • the 336 B.C. campaign ("Alexander Campaigns")
  • the 300 B.C. campaign ("Diadochi Wars")
  • the 280 B.C. campaign ("The Hellenistic Empires")
  • the 250 B.C. campaign ("The Graeco-Bactrian Empire")
  • the 190 B.C. campaign ("The Graeco-Indian Kingdoms")
• the 1450 B.C. campaign

Factions

310 B.C. Campaign

• Armenia
• Massilia
• Carthage
• The Antigonid Empire
• Egypt
• Gauls
• Germans
• The Greek Cities
• Epirus and the Italiote League
• Etruscans
• Samnites
• Macedon
• Numidia
• Parthia
• Pontus
• Scythia
• The Seleucid Empire
• Rome
• Spain
• Thrace
• Rebels

280 B.C. Campaign

• The Roman Republic
• Baktria
• Epirus
• Egypt
• The Seleucid Empire
• Carthage
• Parthia
• Gauls
• Germans
• Britons
• The Greek Cities
• S.P.Q.R.
• Macedon
• Pontus
• Armenia
• Dacia
• Numidia
• Scythia
• Spain
• Thrace
• Rebels

275 B.C. Campaign

• Rome
• Egypt
• The Seleucid Empire
• Carthage
• Parthia
• Gauls
• Germans
• Britons
• The Greek Cities
• Macedon
• Pontus
• Armenia
• Dacia
• Numidia
• Scythia
• Spain
• Thrace
• Rebels

270 B.C. Campaign

• The Roman Republic
• Graeco-Baktrians
• The Mauryan Empire
• Egypt
• The Seleucid Empire
• Carthage
• Parthia
• Gauls
• Germans
• Britons
• The Greek Cities
• Macedon
• Pontus
• Armenia
• Saba
• Numidia
• Scythia
• Spain
• Thrace
• Rebels

Included Mods and modding elements

• Aristea Soundtrack by rgex
• RS2 Environment
• Darth Formations by Darth Vader
• SPQR/HBO´s Rome Soundtrack
• Night Battles available
• No more burning oil by Dol Goldor
• Icons by the SPQR Team
• Music by the SPQR Team
• Textures: EB Team
• webbirds 270bc map mod
• Based on My_Mod Files for RTW 1.5 BI or Alex by Finch
• Neutralised senate by Makanyane (RTW BI and Alex)
• Mundus Magnus map by NGR
• Skymod by horsearcher
• Horses by Pinarius
• M2TW for the ground textures and sea textures
• Night Battles available
• No more burning oil by Dol Goldor
• Textures by Webbird and Warspite
• Textures by the Peninsula Italica Team
• Textures by Jounk33 from his outstanding Imperium Parsa 2 Mod
• Models and Textures by Dark Fenrir
• UI cards and textures for egypt by the SPQR Team
• Icons by Lusted

Mod team

Sonny Costanzo is the only developper of the mod.

Visual Material

External Links

The B.C. Series Hosted Forum at Total War Center

Download links for all campaigns

Bug Reports