The Achaemenid Empire also called the First Persian Empire,was an empire based in Western Asia, founded by Cyrus the Great. Ranging at its greatest extent from the Balkans and Eastern Europe proper in the west to the Indus Valley in the east, it was larger than any previous empire in history, spanning 5.5 million square kilometers.
Incorporating various peoples of different origins and faiths, it is notable for its successful model of a centralised, bureaucratic administration (through satraps under the King of Kings), for building infrastructure such as road systems and a postal system, the use of an official language across its territories, and the development of civil services and a large professional army. The empire's successes inspired similar systems in later empires.
By the 7th century BC, the Persians had settled in the southwestern portion of the Iranian Plateau in the region of Persis, which came to be their heartland. From this region, Cyrus the Great advanced to defeat the Medes, Lydia, and the Neo-Babylonian Empire, establishing the Achaemenid Empire. Alexander the Great, an avid admirer of Cyrus the Great, conquered most of the empire by 330 BC.
Upon Alexander's death, most of the empire's former territory came under the rule of the Ptolemaic Kingdom and Seleucid Empire, in addition to other minor territories which gained independence at that time.
The Iranian elites of the central plateau reclaimed power by the second century BC under the Parthian Empire.
The Achaemenid Empire is noted in Western history as the antagonist of the Greek city-states during the Greco-Persian Wars and for the emancipation of the Jewish exiles in Babylon. The historical mark of the empire went far beyond its territorial and military influences and included cultural, social, technological and religious influences as well.
Despite the lasting conflict between the two states, many Athenians adopted Achaemenid customs in their daily lives in a reciprocal cultural exchange, some being employed by or allied to the Persian kings.
The impact of Cyrus's edict is mentioned in Judeo-Christian texts, and the empire was instrumental in the spread of Zoroastrianism as far east as China. The empire also set the tone for the politics, heritage and history of modern Iran. The Achaemenid (Persian) Empire in 0 A.D.
Though a momentous task, we are working to ensure that each culture provides a unique yet balanced gameplay experience. Almost each civilization will have a unique set of buildings and units, and have notable strengths and weaknesses that must be learned and exploited by the player to be used effectively.
Persians have access to a wide variety of infantry from all over their empire, including their very effective infantry archer to help balance out their relatively weak melee infantry most notably lacking swordsmen and possessing an underwhelming spearman class. Combined arms especially ranged combat and the use of brutal Persian Cavalry will be key to battle
Persian Cavalry is by far one of the best available with access to all classes including a champion Cavalry Archer, making the Persians effective in both raiding and heavy infantry battle clashes. Well armored and very effective Persian Cavalry especially in their Advanced promotions are fearsome.
Persian siege suffers but regardless can be effective provided its supported by its allies and should encourage creative combined arms tactics.
Persian structures by far are one of the toughest available while taking the longest build, they will hopefully return this when a foolish enemy tries to destroy them. With their walls in place with full access to wall towers and various technologies to help improve their already formidable walls and structures should make any siege a tiresome challenge.
One of the best and most under-looked traits of the Persians is their strong economical upgrades and bonuses to land trade they posses along with the unique Persian palace which provides a small trickle of resources for amount of Territory they currently control.
Ability to Corral Camels and Horses.
History: Horses were of great importance to the Achaemenids, especially in the eastern provinces. Camels, as beasts of burden, were also prized.
Great King's Levy
History: The Persians could and did levy a large number of infantry during wartime due to the sheer size of the Achaemenid Empire and the way in which it was set-up. In general the Persian infantry was well trained and fought with great tenacity. However while this was true the infantry were poor hand-to-hand, close combat fighters. Also, with the exception of the elite regiments, the Persian infantry was not a standing professional force.
Effect: Population cap for the Persian player is increased +10% (e.g., if the max pop for the match is 300, the Persian player's max population is 330; likewise, 200/220, and so on).
History: Coinage was invented by the Lydians in 7th Century BC, but it was not very common until the Persian period. Darius the Great standardized coined money and his golden coins (known as "darics") became commonplace not only throughout his empire, but as far to the west as Central Europe.
Effect: Higher income (+25%) from land trade routes, for the player's traders and his ally's traders.
Incorporating various peoples of different origins and faiths, it is notable for its successful model of a centralised, bureaucratic administration (through satraps under the King of Kings), for building infrastructure such as road systems and a postal system, the use of an official language across its territories, and the development of civil services and a large professional army. The empire's successes inspired similar systems in later empires.
By the 7th century BC, the Persians had settled in the southwestern portion of the Iranian Plateau in the region of Persis, which came to be their heartland. From this region, Cyrus the Great advanced to defeat the Medes, Lydia, and the Neo-Babylonian Empire, establishing the Achaemenid Empire. Alexander the Great, an avid admirer of Cyrus the Great, conquered most of the empire by 330 BC.
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| The Achaemenid Empire also called the First Persian Empire,was an empire based in Western Asia, founded by Cyrus the Great. |
The Achaemenid (Persian) Empire.
Upon Alexander's death, most of the empire's former territory came under the rule of the Ptolemaic Kingdom and Seleucid Empire, in addition to other minor territories which gained independence at that time.
The Iranian elites of the central plateau reclaimed power by the second century BC under the Parthian Empire.
The Achaemenid Empire is noted in Western history as the antagonist of the Greek city-states during the Greco-Persian Wars and for the emancipation of the Jewish exiles in Babylon. The historical mark of the empire went far beyond its territorial and military influences and included cultural, social, technological and religious influences as well.
Despite the lasting conflict between the two states, many Athenians adopted Achaemenid customs in their daily lives in a reciprocal cultural exchange, some being employed by or allied to the Persian kings.
The impact of Cyrus's edict is mentioned in Judeo-Christian texts, and the empire was instrumental in the spread of Zoroastrianism as far east as China. The empire also set the tone for the politics, heritage and history of modern Iran. The Achaemenid (Persian) Empire in 0 A.D.
The Achaemenid (Persian) Empire in the game 0 A.D.
The first edition of 0 A.D. will allow the player to control any of twelve ancient civilizations from the pre-common era. Each culture will be represented at the peak of its civilization, somewhere along the timeline of 500 B.C. to 1 B.C.Though a momentous task, we are working to ensure that each culture provides a unique yet balanced gameplay experience. Almost each civilization will have a unique set of buildings and units, and have notable strengths and weaknesses that must be learned and exploited by the player to be used effectively.
Civilization Traits.
Persians have access to a wide variety of infantry from all over their empire, including their very effective infantry archer to help balance out their relatively weak melee infantry most notably lacking swordsmen and possessing an underwhelming spearman class. Combined arms especially ranged combat and the use of brutal Persian Cavalry will be key to battle
Persian Cavalry is by far one of the best available with access to all classes including a champion Cavalry Archer, making the Persians effective in both raiding and heavy infantry battle clashes. Well armored and very effective Persian Cavalry especially in their Advanced promotions are fearsome.
Persian siege suffers but regardless can be effective provided its supported by its allies and should encourage creative combined arms tactics.
Persian structures by far are one of the toughest available while taking the longest build, they will hopefully return this when a foolish enemy tries to destroy them. With their walls in place with full access to wall towers and various technologies to help improve their already formidable walls and structures should make any siege a tiresome challenge.
One of the best and most under-looked traits of the Persians is their strong economical upgrades and bonuses to land trade they posses along with the unique Persian palace which provides a small trickle of resources for amount of Territory they currently control.
Read also: 0 A.D. Is A Free, Open-Source, Historical Real Time Strategy (RTS) Game: Republican Romans.While the Persians may not have a spectacular navy, they do possess a decent one that should support and supplement their land operations and more than capable of challenging naval power and if called for it can actually with intelligent play out-match even naval powerhouses. It should not be underestimated.
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| Standard of Cyrus the Great. |
Civilization Bonuses.
Ability to Corral Camels and Horses.
History: Horses were of great importance to the Achaemenids, especially in the eastern provinces. Camels, as beasts of burden, were also prized.
0 A.D. Is A Free, Open-Source, Historical Real Time Strategy (RTS) Game: Standard of Cyrus the Great.Click to Tweet
Effect: Camels and horses can be captured in the wild and placed in the Corral. Unlike normal corralled animals, which generate food, the Corralled Camel/Horse functions similarly to a relic. As long as it remains in the Corral, the resource cost of training camel-mounted units (the Trader, specifically) or horse-mounted units (as appropriate) is reduced by a fixed amount.Great King's Levy
History: The Persians could and did levy a large number of infantry during wartime due to the sheer size of the Achaemenid Empire and the way in which it was set-up. In general the Persian infantry was well trained and fought with great tenacity. However while this was true the infantry were poor hand-to-hand, close combat fighters. Also, with the exception of the elite regiments, the Persian infantry was not a standing professional force.
Effect: Population cap for the Persian player is increased +10% (e.g., if the max pop for the match is 300, the Persian player's max population is 330; likewise, 200/220, and so on).
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| The Achaemenid Empire at its greatest territorial extent, under the rule of Darius I (522 BC to 486 BC). |
Team Bonus.
The Royal Road.History: Coinage was invented by the Lydians in 7th Century BC, but it was not very common until the Persian period. Darius the Great standardized coined money and his golden coins (known as "darics") became commonplace not only throughout his empire, but as far to the west as Central Europe.
Effect: Higher income (+25%) from land trade routes, for the player's traders and his ally's traders.
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Excellent article and splendid open source game. I await the final version. Regards
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments Maia.
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