Byzantine

Introduced in Gods and Kings
Leader	Theodora
Unique units	Cataphract (replaces Horseman) Dromon (replaces Trireme)
Unique building	N/A
Ability	Patriarchate of Constantinople: Choose one more Belief than normal when you found a Religion
Starts bias	N/A
Language spoken	Greek

The Byzantine civilization appears in Gods and Kings expansion.

Civiliopedia Entry (Byzantium)Edit

HistoryEdit

Existing for more than 1,000 years, the Byzantine Empire, centered in the legendary city of Constantinople, was initially formed as the eastern seat of power for the mighty Roman Empire. Located along the trade routes connecting Europe to Asia, Constantiniople grew to become the primary trade hub in the region, flourishing despite the conflicts that led to the decline of Rome in the west. Inspired by number of memorable rulers, the Byzantine Empire was also a source of great cultural growth along the eastern Maditerranean, its affluence allowing for grand displays of art, architecture, science, and music.

Geography and ClimateEdit

Before the arrival of Constantine in 330AD, the city of Constantinople was known as Byzantium, a small Greek colony founded in the 7th century BC. Strategically placed along the Bosphorus, the only waterway connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean (via the Marmara and Aegean Seas), this site would prove to be the ideal location for a larger settlement. Protected by water on three sides, Constantinople solidfied a nearly impenetrable system of defence with the contruction of its legendary walls. Despite the ebb and flow of territories controlled by the empire, the prosperity of the Byzantines could always be attributed to the wisely selected location of Constantinople. Today, the city is known as Istanbul, a megacity located in Turkey with a population of over 13 million people.

Outside of their renowned capital, the vast expanses of territory controled by the Byzantine featured a diverse geography. At its peak, the empire primarily held regions surrounding the Mediterranean, featuring a subtropical climate with warm, humid summers followed by moderate winters.

List of city namesEdit

• Constantinople
• Adrianople
• Nicaea
• Antioch
• Varna
• Ohrid
• Nicomedia
• Trebizond
• Cherson
• Sardica
• Ani
• Dyrrachium
• Edessa
• Chalcedon
• Naissus
• Bari
• Iconium
• Prilep
• Samosata
• Kars
• Nicopolis
• Theodosiopolis
• Tyana
• Gaza
• Kerkyra
• Phoenice
• Selymbria
• Sillyon
• Chrysopolis
• Vodena
• Caesarea Maritima
• Traianoupoli
• Constantia