The Factions
6 powerful nations are competing to rule the ancient world. At the center, the powerful Roman Republic has conquered Italy and is seeking to become the undisputed superpower of its age.
To its West, Gaul looks to unite its tribes to take on the Roman threat while Carthage is seeking trade and riches by dominating the Mediterranean and North Africa.
Finally, to the East, Greece, Persia and Egypt look to recover their former glory and rebuild their powerful empires once more.
Amid the chaos, only the ruthless will thrive and achieve glory… which of these nations will be crowned conquerors? Who is Bound for Glory?
THE ROMAN REPUBLIC
Legend has it that Rome was founded by a prince who escaped Troy as the city was raised to the ground. Others think that it was founded by twins, Romulus and Remus, who were suckled by a she-wolf. Despite conflicting legends and myths about its founding, there is no denying that Rome grew from a small city in 753 BC, controlled by the Etruscans, to become a powerful independent republic. And though it was sacked by the Gauls in 390 BC, Rome persevered and eventually established hegemony over the entire Italian Peninsula.
Now, in the third century BC, Rome seeks to export its superior ways to the rest of the world. Nothing short of absolute power will satisfy its leaders; for Rome cannot be denied. It has a destiny to fulfill.
Game Strategy
The independent nation occupying the Alps will prevent Rome from expanding into Europe and acquiring the necessary resources to fight its foes. It is thus imperative to capture the Alps early on and use it as a launching pad for future conquest. However, be careful not to expose your southern borders to invading forces from the sea, most notably Carthage and Greece who remain interested in capturing Sicily and Corsica.
Additionally, Rome cannot fight Gaul, Greece and Carthage at the same time. It might be best to sue for peace with one or two of these nations. Otherwise, Rome can strike an alliance with Persia and/or Egypt to keep Carthage and Greece occupied while it deals with Gaul first.
Gaul
Occupying and controlling most of Western Europe, the Celts were a group of tribes that shared similar beliefs, religion and culture. Of the many Celts inhabiting Europe, the Gauls was perhaps the most powerful, dominating the lands north and west of Alpes, and reaching their zenith during the 3rd century BC.
Yet despite their commonalities and occasional collaboration, the Gauls were never united under a single ruler or government and were constantly fighting one another. Now, faced with the threat of a powerful Roman Republic, Gallic tribes must set aside their difference and unite to face this threat. They also need to confront Carthage which has increasingly encroached on their sphere of influence in present day Spain. Can Gallic tribes face these threats together? Or will they fail and fall?
Game Strategy
Gaul is threatened by both Carthage and Rome in the south and west respectively. It must decide quickly on which nation to confront and which to make peace with. If Gaul chooses to fight against Rome, it could secure the Alpes before the Romans do and build a strong defensive and offensive position there. On the other hand, if Gaul chooses to attack Carthage, it could choose to secure Iberia before Carthage does. Gaul could also choose to use the Dniper to its advantage and expand its territories at the expense of Greece and Persia. Gaul has endless possibilities, but it must act quick!
CARTHAGE
With fear and adrenaline running through her royal veins, Queen Elissa of Tyre and several of her followers took their chance; a sprint towards the shores of Lebanon to escape certain death. As the Queen set sail through the Mediterranean, she eventually found a new home in what is now known as Tunisia.
In 814 BC, 72 years before the establishment of Rome, Elissa and her refugees would form an alliance with the Berbers in Africa to create a new city that would eventually become the richest and most powerful empire in the Mediterranean.
Now 500 years since its establishment, the Carthaginian empire controls most of North Africa and the Western Mediterranean, and has its eyes set on conquering the rest of Sicily and the Iberian Peninsula. The only thing standing in its way is Rome. Under the command of Hannibal the Great, can Carthage finally defeat Rome and reign supreme?
Game Strategy
It is imperative that Carthage secures its lands in North Africa. This may require a peace treaty with Egypt or a direct attack. Carthage also needs to expand its maritime empire to secure the resources needed to fight its foes. The Iberian Peninsula can provide such resources and is an arm’s reach away, though this may put Carthage on a collision course with Gaul.
Alternatively, Carthage can sail across the Mediterranean to vanquish Rome once and for all. To help with this, an alliance with the Greeks to attack Rome on two fronts could be beneficial to both parties.
To succeed in its campaign, Carthage much be vigilant, brave and utilize diplomacy to its advantage.
EGYPT
If you take a stroll down the busy streets of Cairo, you will often hear the phrase “Egypt is the world’s mother”. It very well could be. Stretching from the Mediterranean in the North to the harsh deserts in the South and centered around the awesome river that is the Nile, Egypt is one of the oldest and most accomplished civilizations the world. Its history is filled with wonders of architecture and human ingenuity, advanced medicine and learning, and great men and women who shaped the history of this world. At its peak, Egypt dominated large swaths of land in Africa and the Levant, and despite several shocks and invasions over thousands of years, the nation always recovered and regained its status as a world power.
But as the third century BC approaches, the hay day of the powerful Egyptian empire is long gone. Having suffered from the conquest and rule of the Persian empire followed by that of Alexander the Great and the Ptolemaic dynasty, Egypt is weak and still searching for an opportunity to regain its power and sovereignty. This opportunity has now come; the recent turmoil facing its enemies have given Egypt its best chance to recover its reputation as a great nation. Can Egypt weather the storm and create a Thirty Second Dynasty?
Game Strategy
Egypt’s biggest vulnerability is in the East. For thousands of years, many invaders including the Persians have attacked Egypt through Palestina and the lands surrounding it. Thus, securing Palestina early on will help repulse future attacks. It can also serve as a launching pad to attack the Persians in their heartland, or capture Syria and Asia Minor which the Egyptians have coveted since the days of Ramsus the Great.
To the west, Libya can provide the food supplies needed to build a strong and powerful army. However, it must be protected against Carthage which may seek to capture this vital region.
Lastly, Egypt must not forget its history with the “Sea People”, a mysterious race that invaded Egypt from the sea in the North and caused havoc across the country in the 12th century BC. Control of the Eastern Mediterranean may be necessary to block future attacks from the Greeks or Romans who desire the riches and food supplies offered by Egypt and Africa as a whole.
PERSIA
Hailing from the rugged Zargos mountains of Asia, the fierce warriors of Persia conquered the Iranian heartland and established a powerful dynasty in 550BC. Since then, and under the leadership of great kings such as Cyrus the Great, Persia expanded East and West to capture Babylon, Asia Minor, the Levant, and Egypt. In the process, Persia built the world’s most formidable empire. Indeed, it seemed that nothing can stop Persia from dominating the entire world.
The challenge to its supremacy came from the unlikeliest of challengers; a number of small Greek city states who successfully defeated the Persian invasions in the 5th century BC and maintained their independence. Then, in 330 BC, the Greeks who were finally united under the leadership of Alexander the Great, would strike back, attacking and conquering the Persian empire.
Since Alexander’s death, the Parthian dynasty rules a newly invigorated Persia. The Parthians seek to reestablish Persian dominance over all lands and finally conquer Europe. Can the Persians finally achieve their dream of world dominance this time around?
Game Strategy
Persia must expand quickly to secure the strategic positions of Asia Minor and Palestina before the Greeks and Egyptians do so respectively. Failure to do so will prevent Persia from expanding further and securing the necessary resources to build a great army. It will also expose its heartland to the threat of a devastating invasion.
The Persians could also rely on their diplomacy to pacify Egypt or Greece as to avoid fighting a war on two fronts. Alternatively, they could strike a deal with Rome or Carthage to engage their enemies and keep them occupied while Persia secures its position.
GREECE
For most of its ancient history, Greece was not nation. Rather, Greece was a group of city states fighting one another for dominance, money and prestige. Yet despite their small size, lack of resources and utter disunity, Greece somehow became the cradle of modern western civilization; After all, it is the birthplace of democracy, the home of art and philosophy, and the west’s vanguard against the Persian empire.
As the Greek cities of Athens and Sparta fought for hundreds of years to control and unite Greece, it was Philip II of Macedon who finally managed to do so in the 4th century BC. After Philip’s assassination, his son, Alexander the Great took control of Greece and launched an attack against the Persian empire. In a few years, Alexander conquered Egypt and Persia and built one of the world’s largest empires stretching from India to Egypt to Greece.
Now, 100 years since Alexander’s untimely death, Greece is still ruled by Macedon but it is much less powerful and wealthy than it use to be. The nation needs another great leader to maintain control over Greece and defeat its enemies once more.
Game Strategy
Greece must be wary of both its eastern and western frontiers. To the east lays its old foe Persia, newly energized by the Parthian Dynasty. It is imperative that Greece captures Asia minor before the Persians do in order to block any potential invasions. Greece must also be wary of Egypt which will attempt to establish control over the Mediterranean and its islands.
To the west, the roman republic is growing stronger and may choose to attack Greece at anytime. To counter the roman threat, an alliance with Carthage may be beneficial to both parties. Alternatively, Greece can strike a peace deal with one of its foes and focus its efforts on the other. Be wary though; both the Persian and roman leaders cannot be trusted!