Gameplay Information
Difficulty: Easy
Conquest Type: Choise (You can choose whether to train either your own or local troops in conquered regions)
Babylon
Introduction
Bâb-Ilû, or Babylon as the Greeks call it, rightfully claims to be the oldest great city on earth. Indeed both people and city are most time-honored. With a people steeped in the history of their land and a well developed culture, the inhabitants of Bâb-Ilû are a proud people led by the one and only King of Kings, the Great King. They had recently joined forces with the Mada King Uwakištar (Kyaxares) to overthrow the cruel but mighty Assyrian Empire who had been long standing rivals and enemies to Bâb-Ilû. Assuming the greater part of the Empire of Aššur the Great Kings have renewed their old ambitions of imperial domination in Mesopatamia.
On the banks of the river Euphrates the culture of the Middle East flourishes. Bâb-Ilû, city of the great gates like the blue shining Ishtar-Gate and the Hanging Gardens, is an important symbol of power and authority for king Nabu Na'id (Nabonidos). Although he has neglected the praise of Marduk in recent years, the people still praise their God’s with great fervour. The Euphrates and Tigris rivers give them a rich soil to farm, along with the well established trade routes give the inhabitants of Bâb-Ilû a flourishing economy. The army is in most aspects the direct heir of the hated oppressors from Aššur. As infamous they were, they were efficient. Professional heavy spearmen, armored archers well capable of close combat and heavy cavalry led by professional officers form the hard core, which is supplemented by light troopers levied from the lands around the city.
Holding sway over the hard-fought Levant, too, the natural enemy is the Pharaoh, despite recent policy of detente. Other possibilities are the rich Arabs or the expansion into Asia Minor, before the Lydians or Medes can do so.