Byzantine Empire: Faction Overview
Byzantium is essentially the Greek speaking remnants of the Eastern Roman Empire and the centre of Orthodox Christianity. The Byzantines themselves merely see their Empire as an unbroken continuance of the Roman Empire and its Emperors. The Empire is currently a shadow of its former self, having lost a great deal of territory in Asia Minor to the Seljuk Turks, and in other areas to internal strife and civil war. Current Emperor Manuel I is a dynamic leader and a resourceful general determined to build on the progress made by his immediate predecessors in restoring the Empire to its former glory. The Byzantine Empire will need to regain its losses to the Turks in Asia Minor as well as the regions lost to internal strife, before it can expand into other faction’ s territories. Fortunately the Seljuks, as well as the Egyptians, are more focussed on the Crusader States; but should they fall the Byzantines are unlikely to withstand a united Islamic offensive. As such, some cooperation with the Crusader States will be necessary for the Empire’s wellbeing. The Byzantine Empire was created on the back of a strong military tradition, although much smaller than in the past, the Empire’s forces tend to be well trained and disciplined. The Empire’s forces consist of a wide range of unit types, from heavy cavalry to infantry, and many ranged units including the devastating Greek Flame Thrower.
Table of Contents
Campaign Overview
Religion |
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Long Campaign Win Conditions |
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Short Campaign Win Conditions |
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Finances |
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Initial Settlements |
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Initial Generals |
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Initial Admirals |
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Initial Agents |
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Initial Troops |
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The Byzantine Empire is spread out over a large area with hostile neighbors, but the economy is quick and easy to establish. A quick strike East towards the rebel and Turkish lands is the obvious option, and be assured that if you do not attack the Turks, the Turks will attack you. An early alliance with the Crusader states could be advantageous, but you must always be on your guard. Additionally, be aware that not all threats come from the East – do not neglect your capital city. Once the Turks have been pushed back and the Byzantine economy is up and running, the Empire can once again reclaim the entirety of the Levant.
Important to note is that many of the best Byzantine units can not be constructed without Constantinople – defend the capital at all costs. An interesting point of note is that three Venetian full stacks land to siege Constantinople but none of their generals have night fighting traits. You can use this against them and fight each army in turn.
Recruitable Units
The following table contains all of the units that the Byzantine Empire can recruit in Multiplayer and Custom Battles. For the Grand Campaign, use the “All” period with the following corrections:
- Units in (Brackets) are mercenaries and therefore cannot be trained in campaign, although any general can recruit them in the field if he has space in his army and there are some available.
- Units in [Square Brackets] cannot be recruited in campaign, they are for Multiplayer and Custom Battles only.
- Units in Italics can only be recruited in certain regions (eg. The New World) or after a certain event (eg. The discovery of gunpowder).
Period | Militia Units | Infantry | Missile Infantry | Cavalry | Missile Cavalry | Artillery |
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High |
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Late |
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All |
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Constructable Buildings
Cities
Building Type | Village | Town | Large Town | Minor City | Large City | Huge City | ||||
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Walls | Wooden Palisade (Upgrade) | Wooden Wall (Upgrade) | Stone Wall (Upgrade) | Large Stone Wall (Upgrade) | Huge Stone Wall (Upgrade) | |||||
Improved Towers | Ballista Towers | Cannon Towers | ||||||||
Barracks | Town Watch | Town Guard | City Watch | Militia Drill Square | Militia Barracks | |||||
Siege | Ballista Maker | Catapult Maker | Siege Works | |||||||
Cannons | Gunsmith | |||||||||
Smiths | Leather Tanner | Blacksmith | Armourer | Heavy Armourer | Master Armourer | Armour Factory | ||||
Ports | Port | Shipwright | Dockyard | Naval Drydock | ||||||
Sea Trade | Merchants’ Wharf | Warehouse | Docklands | |||||||
Trade | Grain Exchange | Market | Fairground | Great Market | Merchants’ Quarter | |||||
Roads | Dirt Roads | Paved Roads | ||||||||
Farms | Land Clearance | Communal Farming | Crop Rotation | Irrigation | ||||||
Mines | Mines | Mining Network | ||||||||
Academia | Alchemist’s Lab | Alchemy School | Lycaeum | |||||||
Churches | Small Orthodox Church | Orthodox Church | Orthodox Abbey | Orthodox Cathedral | Huge Orthodox Cathedral | |||||
Inns | Brothel | Inn | Tavern | Coaching House | Pleasure Palace | |||||
Town Hall | Town Hall | Council Chambers | City Hall | Mayor’s Palace | ||||||
Sanitation | Public Baths | Aqueduct | ||||||||
Ikoners | Ikoner’s Studio | Master Ikoner’s Studio | ||||||||
Assassins’ Guild | Assassins’ Guild | Master Assassins’ Guild | Assassins’ Guild Headquarters | |||||||
Masons’ Guild | Masons’ Guild | Master Masons’ Guild | Masons’ Guild Headquarters | |||||||
Theologians’ Guild | Theologians’ Guild | Master Theologians’ Guild | Theologians’ Guild Headquarters | |||||||
Merchants’ Guild | Merchants’ Guild | Master Merchants’ Guild | Merchants’ Guild Headquarters | |||||||
Alchemists’ Guild | Alchemists’ Guild | Master Alchemists’ Guild | Alchemists’ Guild Headquarters | |||||||
Thieves’ Guild | Thieves’ Guild | Master Thieves’ Guild | Thieves’ Guild Headquarters | |||||||
Explorers’ Guild | Explorers’ Guild | Master Explorers’ Guild | Explorers’ Guild Headquarters | |||||||
Swordsmiths’ Guild | Swordsmiths’ Guild | Master Swordsmiths’ Guild | Swordsmiths’ Guild Headquarters | |||||||
Horse Breeders’ Guild | Horse Breeders’ Guild | Master Horse Breeders’ Guild | Horse Breeders’ Guild Headquarters |
Castles
Building Type | Village | Motte and Bailey | Wooden Castle | Castle | Fortress | Citadel | ||||||
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Castle | Motte and Bailey (Upgrade) | Wooden Castle (Upgrade) | Castle (Upgrade) | Fortress (Upgrade) | Citadel (Upgrade) | |||||||
Improved Towers | Ballista Towers | Cannon Towers | ||||||||||
Stables | Stables | Knight’s Stables | Baron’s Stables | Earl’s Stables | King’s Stables | |||||||
Barracks | Mustering Hall | Garrison Quarters | Drill Square | Barracks | Armoury | |||||||
Ranges | Bowyer | Practice Range | Archery Range | |||||||||
Siege | Ballista Maker | Catapult Maker | Siege Works | |||||||||
Smiths | Leather Tanner | Blacksmith | Armourer | Heavy Armourer | Master Armourer | Armour Factory | ||||||
Ports | Port | Shipwright | ||||||||||
Roads | Dirt Roads | Paved Roads | ||||||||||
Farms | Land Clearance | Communal Farming | Crop Rotation | Irrigation | ||||||||
Churches | Chapel | Large Chapel | ||||||||||
Swordsmiths’ Guild | Swordsmiths’ Guild | Master Swordsmiths’ Guild | Swordsmiths’ Guild Headquarters |