1.) Ages: My proposed Ages are:

1 Stone Age
2 Geometric Age or Tool Age
3 Bronze Age
4 Iron Age or Imperial Age

(5) Post-Iron or Post-Imperial unlocks uber Techs (unknown yet)

2.) Civ Uniqueness: If you want to make your civ a little more unique, try something like this: Let's say your civ historically is heavily infantry, with only a few instances of cavalry being used. Feel free to make your civ completely cavalry-less (except for the Cavalry Scout) even if you have a name for a cavalry unit at hand. This is just an extreme example.

3.) Heroes: Feel free to step into Myth for heroes if history does not provide suitable examples for your civ. (I suspect Greece and Rome won't have any problems here, as history gives us dozens of real-life heroes to choose from). Heroes have bonuses like: "Within LOS: All spearmen +30% attack" or "When garrisoned: All buildings +20% Armor or HPs" or "Attack Bonus: +25% vs. Enemy Cavalry" - things of that nature.

4.) Upgrading Unit lines: I encourage multiple upgrades to unit lines that change a unit from one thing to another, like AOK. Examples from AOK: swordsman > two-handed swordsman > champion, etc. spearman > pikeman > halberdier

It's okay if few if any of your unit-types have an Upgrade Line. They can and will be "upgraded" with standard Smith/Armory techs, even if their names don't change.

4.) Ethnic Names/Languages: I know it's hard sometimes to find a language for a lot of civs. Sometimes multiple civs will use the same language, for example: Phoenicians, Hebrews, and Carthaginians will probably use Hebrew as a basis for their ethnic names and such, because we really have no idea how Phoenician and Carthaginian sounded.

5.) Militia line goes as such:

Infantry Militia - Clubman > Axeman > Civ Specific Unit

[This message has been edited by Mythos_Ruler (edited 07-09-2006 @ 08:47 PM).]

The Macedonians

Bonuses:
Bonus 1 - "Metropolis Alexandros" Town Centers -50% Build time, +20% HPs
Bonus 2 - "Noble Birth" All Cavalry +15% speed
Bonus 3 - "Wisdom of Philip" Unique Formation The Syntagma which makes infantry nearly invulnerable from the front (but slow and easy to flank) (Age 4)

Units:
Villager Citizen/Peasant - Dêmoikos (Age 1)
Villager Slave - Anthrôpos (Age 2)
Villager Colonist - Apoikos (Age 3)
Villager Merchant - Emporos (Age 3)

Infantry Militia - Clubman (Age 1) -> Axeman (Age 2) -> Psilos (Age 3)
Infantry Spearman - Paeoni Levy (Age 2) -> Pezoi (Age 3) -> Pezhetairoi (Age 4)

Ranged Slinger - Sphendonêtês (Age 2) -> Rhodian Sphendonêtês (Age 3)
Ranged Skirmisher - Peltastai (Age 3) -> Illyrian Peltastai (Age 4)
Ranged Bowman - Toxote (Age 3) -> Cretan Toxote (Age 4)

Cavalry Scout - Hyppikataskopos (Age 2)
Cavalry Spearman - Sarissoiphoi (Age 4)
Cavalry Skirmisher - Thessalian Prodromos (Age 3) -> Heavy Thessalian Prodromos (Age 4)

Healer Priest - Hiereus (Age 2)
Spy/Assassin/Diplomatic Unit - Sikarios (Age 3)

Siege Stone Thrower - Lithobolos (Age 3) -> Petrobolos (Age 4)
Siege Bolt Thrower - Oxybeles (Age 3) -> Siege Oxybeles (age 4)
Siege Tower - (allowing the Seleucids to use the Helepolis here)

Ship Fishing - Plio (Age 2)
Ship Trading - Emporiko Plio (Age 2)
Ship Light - Pentakonter (Age 2) -> Ship Medium - Trireme (Age 3)
Ship Siege - Quinquireme (Age 4)

Unique Civilian Unit - Presbeuos (Age 3)
Unique Military Unit 1 - Hypaspistai (Age 4)
* Heavy Swordsman; Fast
Unique Military Unit 2 - Hetairoi (Age 4)
* Heavy Shock Cavalry

Hero 1 - Philipos
* All Spearmen within LOS +20% Attack
Hero 2 - Magus Alexandros
* All Cavalry within LOS +10% Attack; Plus Hetairoi UU -20% cost during his lifespan
Hero 3 - Kassandros
* All Sikarioi +50% all abilities during his lifespan; Siege +50% HPs within his LOS

Buildings:
Town Center :: Agora
Government Building :: Tholos
Market :: Emporeion
House :: Melathron
Temple :: Anaktoron
Storehouse :: Apostasis
Mining Camp :: Ergon
Granary :: Stathmos
Farmland :: Agros
Livestock Pen :: Stavlos
Outpost Tower :: Proskopos
Palisade Wall :: Charax
Palisade Gate :: Charaxopulê
Stone Wall :: Lithoteichos
Stone Wall Tower :: Pyrgos
Stone Wall Gate :: Lithopulê
Emissary :: Presbeutikos
Smith :: Chalkeus
Barracks:: Parembolê
Archery Range :: Toxoulkos
Stable :: Hypparchon
Siege Workshop :: Tektoneion
Naval Yard (ships) :: Neôrion
Citadel :: Teichisma
Academy :: Gymnasion

Wonder - Pharos Alexanderos
* Gives LOS over a wide area

Unique Building Economic/Civic - None
Unique Building Military - Levy Camp
* Grants the player a random free Egyptian, Hebrew, Persian, Assyrian, Thracian, or Hellene (Greek) unit every 30 seconds. Must have population room for free unit.

Unique Techs:
Unique Tech 1 - Silver Shields (Age 4)
* Increases armor of Hypaspistai UU
Unique Tech 2 - Hippos Spiera (Age 4)
* Tactical Cavalry; Increases Speed and Attack of Hetairoi UU
Unique Tech 3 - Marriage of Europe and Asia (Age 4)
* All free units from the Levy Camp UB cost 0 population.

[This message has been edited by Mythos_Ruler (edited 07-21-2006 @ 03:18 AM).]

[This message has been edited by Mythos_Ruler (edited 07-10-2006 @ 02:11 AM).]

The Carthaginians

Bonuses
Bonus 1- Resources gathered 5% faster
Bonus 2- Ships 15% faster and with 15% more HP
Bonus 3- Mercenaries are cheaper

Units
Villager Citizen/Peasant- Poeni (Age 1)

Infantry Militia- Clubman (Age 1) > Axeman (Age 2) > Sacred Band of Tanit (Age 3)
Infantry Spearman- Sicilian Hoplites (Age 2) Sacred Band of Ba'al (Age 3) > Arukáh Meguyás (Age 4)
Infantry Swordsman- Scutari (Age 3) > Falcata Scutari (Age 4) > Toldeo Falcata

Ranged Slinger- Balearic Slinger (Age 3)
Ranged Skirmisher- Lusitani Soliferrum > Toledo Soliferrum (Age 2)
Cavalry Scout- Berber Assagai (Age 3)
Cavalry Spearman- Covinus (Age 2) Massylian Horsemen (Age 3) > Massaesylian Horsemen (Age 4)
Cavalry Swordsman- Spatha Warband (Age 2) > Massylian Cavalry (Age 3) > Massaesylian Cavalry (Age 4)
Cavalry Skirmisher- Cantabrian Jinetes (Age 3)

Healer Priest- Ba’alite (Age 2)
Spy/Assassin/Diplomatic Unit- Somfet (Age 3)

Siege Stone Thrower- Fustibalus (Age 2) > Onager (Age 4)
Siege Tower- Helepolis (Age 3)

Ship Fishing- Actuaria (Age 1)
Ship Trading- Cortiba (Age 1)
Ship Light- Bireme (Age 2) > Ship Medium- Trireme (Age 3) > Ship Heavy- Polyremes (Age 4)
Ship Siege- Quinquereme (Age 4)

Unique Civilian Unit- Molochite: Priest that can sacrifice units for resources (Age 3)
Unique Military Unit 1- Moorish Shamir: Heavy Swordsman (Age 3)
Unique Military Unit 2- North African War Elephant: Heavy Cavalry with archers on a platform on its back (Age 3)

Hero 1- Hannibal Barca
Infantry gain +10% speed and attack in LOS
Hero 2- Hasdrubal Barca
Buildings gain 50% HP in LOS
Hero 3- Mago Barca
Balaeric Slingers, Moors, Massaesylians, and Massylians all gain +10% attack and +10% HP
Hero 4- Hamilcar Barca
Sacred Band and Arukáh Meguyás +25% attack

Buildings

Town Center: Málaga
Government Building: Magistrate
Market:
House
Temple
Storehouse
Mining Camp
Granary
Farmland
Livestock Pen
Outpost Tower
Palisade Wall
Palisade Gate
Stone Wall
Stone Wall Tower
Stone Wall Gate
Emissary
Smith
Barracks
Archery Range
Stable
Siege Workshop
Naval Yard
Citadel: Byrsa
Academy
Wonder- Punic Port of Carthage: Decreases training speed for ships

Unique Building Economic/Civic- Tradehouse: Building where resources can be dropped off to be slowly changed into something more valuable. (A Poeni might drop off 50 wood and 20 stone, after a while, they resources will be "researched" into a more valuable product, like spears, will can be sold for gold.

Unique Techs
Unique Tech 1- Hanno the Navigator: decreases cost of docks and ships (Age 2)
Unique Tech 2- Siege of Sicily: Decreases siege weapon training speed (Age 3)
Unique Tech 3- Melqart's Call: Quinquereme attack increased (Age 4)
Unique Tech 4- Council of One Hundred: Increases all stats of Carthaginian militia infantry (Age 4)
Unique Tech 5- Balearic Islands- Balearic slinger attack increased (Age 4)

Advantages
-Strong Economy
-Excellent Navy
-Strong 4 heroes

Disadvantages
-Weaker buildings than average
-Weaker archers (without upgrades for balaeric Slinger)
-Most units are expensive and train slower (A Carthaginian Scutari would cost more than if the Iberians trained a Scutari)

[This message has been edited by Yamato Take (edited 07-17-2006 @ 06:38 PM).]

Yamato - The Carthaginians look pretty cool. I have a few issues with the design (for instance, trading ships available in the Stone Age) but I think we can wait to pick apart each others civs until we have most of them done. Then we can polish each civ to a high shine. I'm sure you guys might have ideas/issues with what I put out as well. hehe

[This message has been edited by Mythos_Ruler (edited 07-11-2006 @ 02:40 AM).]

EDIT:Done! See my other post below.

Quote:

Linear B, for everyone's information, is the writing saystem used by the Mycenaeans until around 1100BC where they declined, and found on ancient clay tablets in Mycenaean ruins. It is called Linear because it is a script as opposed to the heiroglyphic writing also found in ancient Greece, and B because it is similar to the Minaoan script Linear A, but very distinctly different. It was first decihpered and proved to be Greek in 1952 by Michael Ventris.

EDIT:I've uploaded a zipped .pdf file to the download section but you'll have to wait for it to process.

[This message has been edited by egel (edited 07-11-2006 @ 05:05 PM).]

Unfortunately, I had to reuse some terms from your Macedonian civ, Mythos (since they're both in Greek) - although when I found some alternative names for units, I changed names when I could. I was wondering if you could change the Macedonian cavalry scout to Hyppikataskopos, so that I can use Kataskopos - the reason for this is because I want the Greek scout to walk by foot.

Also, since the Carthaginians can use the Helepolis, can the Hellenes also? Or is this supposed to be reserved to the Seleucids?

A little bit about the Hellenes:
Their unique units are the "Spartiate Homooi" (Spartan hoplite) and the "Hieros Lochos" (Theban sacred band), both highly elite spearman. They have a good mixture of heavy (hoplita and ekdromos) and light infantry (sphendonotes and akontistes) - their hoplites even have Epaminodas' phalanx at their disposal. To make up for it, their bowmen and cavalry are weak - almost laughable compared to other civilizations.

Their bonuses include "Demos Kratos" and "Hoplomachia" - I'll leave you to it trying to figure out how they effect the game.

Speaking of the Mycenaeans, Egel, what about any kind of ram or siege ram? If you can't find anything, then it's possible to not give them any siege at all. That's completely fine. It makes our civs more unique that way. Maybe as a civ bonus (to balance them) all units have +10% siege attack or something. Just an idea.

As an update for me: I am starting some preliminary groundwork for the Minoans. They are an intriguing people; we know even less about them than the Mycenaeans.

[This message has been edited by Mythos_Ruler (edited 07-11-2006 @ 09:32 AM).]

Age 1: Stone Age to early Written Age (15,000 BC - 5,000 BC)
Age 2: Agricultural and/or Tool Age (5,000 BC - 1,500 BC)
Age 3: Bronze Age or Classical Age (1,500 BC - 400 BC)
Age 4: Iron Age and/or Imperial Ages (400 BC - 600 AD)

Civilizations at their peak between...
Vanilla: 3000 BC - 600 BC
Chocolate: 600 BC - 1BC
Strawberry: 1AD - 600 AD

[This message has been edited by Mythos_Ruler (edited 07-13-2006 @ 01:54 PM).]

Here is that .pdf
It's quite good. The newer greek symbols can be translated into Anglicised greek too, if you feel like it.

The Mycenaeans

Bonuses:
Bonus 1 - “Megaron” - Town Centre/Megaron +10 pop Age 1, + 5 all other ages.
Bonus 2 - “Cyclopean Architecture” - All Walls, Gates, Towers, Town Centres/Megaroi (plural?) and Citadels have + 25% health, and + attack equivalent to one garrisoned unit.
Bonus 3 - All Infantry have + 15% Seige.

Units:
Villager Citizen - Kamaeus (Age 1)
Villager Slave - Doeros/Doera (Age 2) - Male/Female
Villager Merchant - Quasileus (Age 3)
Villager Colonist – Toikhodómos (Age 3)

Infantry Militia - Clubman (Age 1) > Axeman (Age 2) > Labrys (Age 3)
Infantry Spearman - Podomikous (Age 2) > Octasxismi (Age 3) > Pylian Octasxismi (Age 4)
Infantry Swordsman - Neillo (Age 2) > Pahana (Age 3) > Leou Pahana (Age 4)

Ranged Slinger - Slinger (Age 2) > Argossian Slinger (Age 3)
Ranged Skirmisher - Skirmisher (Age 3) > Tiryan Skirmisher (Age 4)

Cavalry Scout - Kunagetai (Age 2)

Healer/Priest - Iatêr (Age 2)
Spy/Assassin/Diplomatic Unit - Lawagetas (Age 3) .
Ship Fishing - Naús (Age 2)
Ship Trading - Opáworta Naús (Age 2)
Ship Light – Eretai Naús (Age 2) > Ship Medium – Eretai Galley (Age 3)

Unique Civilian Unit - Telestas (Age 3)
*One per TC/Megaron. Generates a trickle of gold. Upgrading his LOS speeds up the trickle.

Unique Military Unit 1 - Heqetas/Heqetai/Eqeta (Age 3) > Pilosian Heqetas/Heqetai/Eqeta (Age 4)
* Spearman in a chariot, upgrade to Spearman AND bowman in the chariot.
Unique Military Unit 2 - Ierêia (Age 3)*Priestess - can heal and convert. Prevents conversion inside LOS. Expensive.

Hero Unique Unit 1 - Ithacan Hunter(Age 2) > Ithacan Guardian(Age 4).
*Powerful warriors with swords and bows, with a stealth ability. Limit = 8
Hero Unique Unit 2 - Laconian Riders
*Powerful Heavy Cavalry with a bonus against other cavalry. Can dismount to fight on foot. Limit = 8

Hero 1 – Agamemnon
* All Podomikous and Neillo LOS +20% Attack. A warrior in a chariot with a spear. He can leave the chariot and fight on foot too.
Hero 2 - Atreus
* All units more resistant to conversion, and extra armour.
Hero 3 - Odysseus
* Can train a few Ithacan Hunters to guard him. Has a stealth ability, and he can toggle between his bow and sword.
Hero 4 - Menelaus
* Trains Laconian Riders. Can dismount and fight on foot.

Buildings:
Wonder - Tholos of the Wanax
* Increases Kamaeus, Doeros/Doera, Quasileus and Toikhodómos gathering and building rates.
Unique Building Economic/Civic - Megaron. A Town Centre combined with a Government Centre. Note that late-game techs may need to have research time extended to balance having more than one place they’re available.
Citadel - Phaistos more to come
Unique Building Military - none

Unique Techs:
Unique Tech 1 - Qisipee (Age 3)
*Increases attack of Neillo class unit
Unique Tech 2 - Hegelhelm (Age 4) – requires Qisipee
* Increases armour of all Heavy Infantry
Unique Tech 3 - Minyan Wares (Age 3)
* Merchant ships carry more gold per resource traded.
Unique Tech 4 - The Lion Gate
*Increases Infantry Siege attack and Building health.

Advantages
* Good infantry.
*Uber chariot UU.
*Very tough buildings/walls etc.

Disadvantages
*Almost no cavalry.
*Distinct lack of seige specific units. Massed Infantry will need to be relied on.
*Limited units; approx 22 (not as bad as Minoans though).

[This message has been edited by egel (edited 11-12-2006 @ 05:20 PM).]

The Minoans

Bonuses:
Bonus 1 - "Cradle of Western Civilization": All technologies +10% effect, -10% cost
Bonus 2 - Ships +20% speed
Bonus 3 - Trading & Tribute +25% profit for player and allies

Units:
Villager Citizen/Peasant - Villager
Villager Merchant - Trader

Infantry Militia - Clubman (Age 1) -> Axeman (Age 2) -> Two-Handed Axeman (Age 3)
Infantry Spearman - Triton Militia (Age 3) -> Triton Phalanx (Age 4)
Infantry Swordsman - Merchant Marine (Age 3)
* May also be trained from a Mercantile Galley
Ranged Slinger - Cycladic Slinger (Age 2)
Ranged Bowman - Toxote (Age 3) -> Recurved Toxote (Age 4)
Cavalry Scout - Pony Rider (Age 2)
* Faster than infantry, slower than a normal cavalry scout
Cavalry Skirmisher - Chariot Javelinist (Age 3) -> Two-Horse Chariot Javelinist

Healer Priest - Snake Priestess (Age 2)
Spy/Assassin/Diplomatic Unit - Turncoat Scribe (Age 3)

Siege Ram - Portable Ram (Age 4)
* Weak stats

Ship Fishing - Fishing Boat (Age 2)
Ship Trading - Mercantile Galley (age 3)
Ship Light -> Ship Medium - Coastal Corvette (Age 3) -> Coastal Galley (Age 3)

Unique Civilian Unit - Queen Mother (Age 3)
* Boosts gathering, research, and construction much like a the 'Pharoah' from "Age of Mythology," but she cannot attack
Unique Military Unit 1 - Queen's Companion (Age 3)
* A Female palace guard armed with a ceremonial two-headed axe, may also be trained from the Queen Mother
Unique Military Unit 2 - Bull Rider (Age 3) -> Royal Bull Rider (Age 4)
* Like a mini elephant, has high crush attack, inflicts trample damage. Will run amok if 60% damaged

Hero 1 - King Minos (in chariot)
* Mythical king of Knossos, Decreases enemy armor within LOS -20%, commands tribute from enemy players

Buildings:
Wonder - Knossos Palace
* Boosts economic output by 50%

Unique Building Economic/Civic - Grain Silo (Age 3)
* Farming -5% Cost, +5% output for each one built (max 5)
Unique Building Military - Royal Palace (Age 4)
* Decreases training time for all units by 35%

Unique Techs:
Unique Tech 1 - Bull Jumping (Age 4)
* Increased speed and attack for Royal Bull Riders
Unique Tech 2 - Chthonic Pantheon (Age 2)
* All female units (villagers, Queen's Companions, Queen Mother, Snake Priestess) +25% HPs
Unique Tech 3 - Mercantile Innovation (Age 3)
* Receive one free Merchant and Merchant Ship for every two already trained

Positives:
- UUs are very strong
- Very strong economy
- Good mix of helpful bonuses and powerful mid-game techs
- Best trading in the game (Vanilla version)

Negatives:
- Low siege capability, except with massed Bull Riders and Portable Rams
- Small Selection of Units (20).
- Only 1 Hero
- Does not receive Stone Wall/Stone Tower/Stone Gate

[This message has been edited by Mythos_Ruler (edited 07-13-2006 @ 04:22 PM).]

I'm not sure what language the Minoans spoke, but I suppose the later Cretans spoke Classical Greek. If you know much about the language (or even Modern could do) then you could try translating the English names to make it more authentic. This is what I've done with some of the Hellenic units.

But since that's not gonna happen, i'll make do with Byzantines.
Oh, and also give me Syracuse since I did 'em pretty well for my Carthage game.

[This message has been edited by Empror (edited 07-24-2006 @ 11:27 AM).]

If that's alright with Mythos and Empror, I'll just do the Assyrians.