Crowd-Sourced Civ: Ptolemaic Egyptians (Ptolemies)

[Mythos_Ruler]

Some ideas for the Ptolemaic Egyptians. 305BC - 30BC. We can eventually probably add them to the game (after the Mauryans and assuming programming for the game will take at least another 3 or 4 alphas).

http://en.wikipedia....Ptolemaic_Egypt

Faction Symbol

Infantry

• Machimoi (Egyptian) Pikeman (Inf.Spear) Ref. 1,
• Galatian Mercenary Swordsman (Inf.Sword)
• Libyan Skirmisher (Inf.Jav) or Thureophoros (Heavy skirmisher)
• Judean Slinger (Inf.Sling)
• Nubian Archer (Inf.Bow) Ref. 1,

Cavalry

• "Tarantine" Skirmish Cavalry (Cav.Jav)
• Macedonian Klereukos Cavalry (Cav.Spear)
• Nabataean Camel Riders (Cav. Sword)

Champions

• Agema Basilikos (King's Guard Cavalry) Ref. 1,
• North African Towered War Elephant (siege capability) Ref. 1,

Heroes

• Ptolemaios I Soter
• Ptolemaios IV Philopater
• Cleopatra VII

Siege

• Battering Ram
• Lithobolos (standard Stone Thrower)
• Polybolos (Bolt Shooter, shoots 5 bolts at once)
• Siege Tower

Ships

• Fishing Boat
• Trade Ship
• Bireme
• Trireme
• Quinquereme

Special Buildings

• Lighthouse (build on shoreline, like a dock)
• Library (researches technologies)

Wonder

• Temple of Edfu

[Lion.Kanzen]

Machimoi (Egyptian) Pikeman (Inf.Spear)

Judean Slinger (Inf.Sling)

"Tarantine" Skirmish Cavalry (Cav.Jav)

Edited January 10, 2013 by Lion.Kanzen

[Lion.Kanzen]

Nubian Archer.

[Lion.Kanzen]

Territory

Banner

]

When Ptolemy I saw that the wealth of Egypt depended on the participation of both Egyptians and Greeks in helping the economic progress and stability of the country, he found a solution that would aid both cultures, Egyptian and Hellenic integrate efficiently- the worship of the gods. The kings wanted to be seen as rulers as well as pharaohs. Indeed, Ptolemy V Epiphanes was crowed at Memphis according the Egyptian tradition.

So, the history of Ancient Egypt was not lost for ever. Many of the huge temples, built by the great kings of the past, were still standing among the palms in the desert, and the traditional ritual was carried on in them. In the ancient language, to the old gods, by priests of the olden style, with white linen robes and shaven heads the religion known to the Pharaohs lived on. The divine animals: bulls and rams and crocodiles, were still fed and worshipped, old customs remembered and faithfully executed like in ages past.

It was the priesthood, mainly confined to particular families who could trace their blood lines through the generations, which now constituted the only native aristocracy present in a world of Hellenic overlords. It was to them in the prestige of their office, their corporate wealth, and their sacred learning, that the common people looked as their national guides and leaders.

Ptolemy formed a committee of Egyptian and Greek scholars to carry out his conceptual idea. The committee decided that the new religion would have at its core, a triad consisting of Isis, her son Harpocrates and Serapis (originally an Egyptian deity called Osir-Apis)

This triad was introduced to the Greeks in a Greek style and to the Egyptians in an Egyptian fashion. While Ptolemy the First established the worship of Serapis, it was Ptolemy the Third who constructed the great temple for this deity in Alexandria.

Edited January 8, 2013 by Lion.Kanzen

[lilstewie]

Oh man. I'm excited if you'll add them.

[Lion.Kanzen]

Oh man. I'm excited if you'll add them.

common man help me to find info

[lilstewie]

native pike men

Edited January 8, 2013 by lilstewie

[Lion.Kanzen]

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTKMFN0x77bpEKoBMUsPytKkwehL8xd86fzM6t_D1H5oFhOFS9ymCR40aou

[lilstewie]

common man help me to find info

I'll try, but I just dont know much about them.

Do the soldier still compose of mostly Greeks, or native Egyptians?

[lilstewie]

Native Spearmen

Native Skirmishers

Native Slingers

Native Pikemen

Edited January 8, 2013 by lilstewie

[idanwin]

I think they should have something which represents their well developed irrigation systems. Like a farming bonus when close to water.

[Pedro Falcão]

I think they should have something which represents their well developed irrigation systems. Like a farming bonus when close to water.

Just as a reference, Rise of Nations's Egyptians had a farm build limit of 7, while all others had a limit of 5.

[Sighvatr]

I am not in favor of the Galatian heavy swordsmen to represent Ptolemaic Eqypt. I would replace the swordsmen with the marines (ill look up their names later). I remember reading several articles that supported many variants of Egyptian-Greco native troops.

[Lion.Kanzen]

I propose this as Civ Emblem.

Source of Art.

Licence CC by Ancien Art user

http://www.flickr.co...ect/4864514433/

Coins

Source Coin

Edited January 10, 2013 by Lion.Kanzen

[Sighvatr]

I like that symbol. If you want to try anything else, you can make a symbol of the Pharos Lighthouse.

[Lion.Kanzen]

you mean with this?

[Sighvatr]

Yeah. I'm reading a book called Alexander to Cleopatra, and the author said that the pharos lighthouse was often used as a symbol of the ptolomies.

[Lion.Kanzen]

but i need to know how looks like.

how say the book? the book have a picture?

Edited January 9, 2013 by Lion.Kanzen

[Sighvatr]

Im still reading the book. But the pharos lighthouse was planned by Sostratus of Cnidus and constructed under Ptolemy I Soter. The structure was completed under Ptolemy II Philadelphus. (Alexander to Cleopatra, pg.37)

Other possible special buildings include temples with banks attached to them. Banks were usually owned by the wealthy, including the Native Egyptian High Priests. Alexandria's Library and museum were large features in the city.

Most, if not all of Alexandria's buildings were constructed in stone.

Edited January 9, 2013 by Sighvatr

[Spahbod]

(after the Mauryans and assuming programming for the game will take at least another 2 or 3 alphas).

We can still work on them in Beta versions.

[Mythos_Ruler]

I think they should have something which represents their well developed irrigation systems. Like a farming bonus when close to water.

==PTOLEMAIC EGYPTIANS SPECIAL TECHNOLOGIES==

ST1

* Name: Nile Delta.

* History: The Nile Delta was the breadbasket of Egypt and beyond for thousands of years. Like the "Fertile Crescent", the Nile River Basin had annual floods that continuously enriched the surrounding farmlands, ensuring a bountiful harvest for Egyptian farmers. Under Roman control, Egypt supplied Rome with the lion's share of its grain.

* Effect: Farming rates +25%.

ST2

* Name: Pharaonic Cult.

* History: From its earliest times the Egyptians worshiped their Pharaohs as living gods. The Ptolemies took advantage of this age-old tradition when they came to power.

* Effect: Hero Auras bonused +20%.

==PTOLEMAIC EGYPTIANS HEROES==

* Name: Ptolemy I Soter. ("The Savior")

* Class: Hero1.

* Hacker Armament: Xyston, same as a Hetairos.

* Ranged Armament: None.

* Appearance:

- Body: Reinforced Linothorax with pteruges. Chlamys (cape). Boots.

- Helmet: Crested Attic helmet, highly embossed.

- Shield: Small round shield, with Egyptian insignia.

- Mount: Looks very similar to a Hetairos mount, but with a more elaborate tack.

- Figure(s): .

* History: Born in 367 BCE, Ptolemy I grew to become one of Alexander the Great's closest friends and generals. He was instrumental in Alexander's later campaigns in Bactria (modern Afghanistan) and India. After Alexander's death, Ptolemy took control of the Satrap of Egypt, and after the Battle of Ipsus became sole ruler of Egypt as "Pharaoh," founding the Ptolemy Dynasty that would rule Egypt for nearly 3 centuries. Ptolemaic Egypt reached the height of its territorial boundaries under his reign as he added Syria, Judea, Cyprus, and parts of Asia Minor to his realm. His reputation for bonhomie and liberality attached the floating soldier-class of Macedonians and Hellenes to his service, and was not insignificant; nor did he wholly neglect conciliation of the native Egyptians. He was a ready patron of letters, founding the Great Library of Alexandria. He himself wrote a history of Alexander's campaigns that has not survived. This used to be considered an objective work, distinguished by its straightforward honesty and sobriety. However, Ptolemy may have exaggerated his own role, and had propagandist aims in writing his History. Although now lost, it was a principal source for the surviving account by Arrian of Nicomedia. Ptolemy died in 283 BCE, the last of the Diodachoi, leaving a well-ordered and stable kingdom to his progeny.

* Garrison: 2.

* Function: Construction Foreman and Mercenary Captain.

* Special:

- "Hero" Aura (All buildings within his LOS construct 50% faster. All merc units cost 30% less during his lifetime.)

* Name: Ptolemy IV Philopater.

* Class: Hero2.

* Hacker Armament: Short sword.

* Ranged Armament: None.

* Appearance:

- Body: Bronze muscled cuirass over a long flowing Egyptian tunic. Sandals.

- Helmet: Laurel wreath crown.

- Shield: No shield.

- Figure(s): None yet.

* History: Ptolemy IV Philopater's reign was inaugurated by the murder of his mother, and he was always under the dominion of favourites, male and female, who indulged his vices and conducted the government as they pleased. Self-interest led his ministers to make serious preparations to meet the attacks of Antiochus III the Great on Coele-Syria including Judea, and the great Egyptian victory of Raphia (217), where Ptolemy himself was present, secured the northern borders of the kingdom for the remainder of his reign. Ptolemy IV is said to have built a giant ship known as the tessarakonteres ("forty"), a huge type of galley. The forty of its name may refer to its number of banks of oars. The current theory is that Ptolemy's ship was an oversize catamaran galley, measuring 128 m 420 ft.

* Garrison: 1.

* Function: Naval enhancement. He has low armour.

* Special:

- "Hero" Aura (Tessarakonteres build limit removed during his lifetime. Trieres and Biremes +20% Hitpoints when the hero is garrisoned aboard a ship.)

* Name: Cleopatra VII.

* Class: Hero3.

* Hacker Armament: Wheel scythes (melee attack is limited to charge and trample features).

* Ranged Armament: Composite Egyptian Bow.

* Appearance:

- Body: Long gown beneath a gold-gilded and highly embossed gorget.

- Helmet: Elaborate head dress. Black hair and garish Egyptian cosmetics.

- Shield: No shield.

- Mount: Egyptian scythed chariot. Highly ornamental.

- Figure(s): Her head dress. Another possible head dress, plus a good idea for the gorget. Her gown.

* History: Cleopatra VII is one of the most discussed women in history. She came to the throne of Egypt at the age of 18 and ruled with guile and cunning. Fully Greek in heritage, she nevertheless engendered great support from the Egyptian people by being the first Ptolemaic Pharaoh to learn the Egyptian language. Her patron goddess was the Egyptian goddess Issus, even though by this time the Macedonians had imported much of their pantheon of Olympian gods. Cleopatra met Julius Caesar in 48 BCE, when he arrived to conquer Egypt for Rome. She succeeded in changing his mind. She bore him a son the next year and traveled to Rome as Caesar's bride, but when Julius was assassinated she fled back to Egypt. Later, on his way to attack Parthia, Marcus Antony, trusted general of the late Caesar, stopped in Egypt. There he met Cleopatra and fell immediately in love. Cleopatra bore him 4 children. Together, they fought Octavian Caesar (who would go on to become Augustus Caesar, first emperor of Rome) in a Roman civil war. After the disastrous naval battle of Actium (31 BCE) off the coast of Greece, they fled back to Egypt, hotly pursued by Octavian. The next year, surrounded by Octavian's forces with no hope of regaining power, Antony committed suicide. Cleopatra, the last of the Egyptian Pharaohs and the last of Alexander's Successors, followed Antony in death, committing suicide by Asp, a deadly snake.

* Garrison: 2.

* Function: She is generally a ranged unit, but when tasked to charge (double click), her chariot can deal a rather vicious charge and trample attack.

* Special:

- "Hero" Aura (Within her vision range, enemy hero aura effects are reduced by -50%. Nearby allied or friendly hero aura effects are bonused +20%.)

[Sighvatr]

Under the Nile Delta, you can include the fact that until foreign Greek settlers arrived, Egyptians relied on their traditional farming methods. The Greek colonists introduced modern irrigation methods that quickly put Egypt into the iron age. As a result, the Ptolemies were the world's leading grain producer. The Ptolemy's own estates could feed half a million people.

[Sighvatr]

For a champion infantry unit, or an upgraded troop of the Machiamoi, I suggest to add in the Kleruchoi. The Kleruchoi (or Cleruchs) were foreign military settlers mostly of Greek and Macedonian origin that are given their own land, and are ensured to provide the military manpower when needed. At first Machiamoi and the Kleruchoi were to differentiate on who was Egyptian, and who was Greek, but overtime it was to classify by financial state. The Kleruchoi were always wealthy from the start, and they were able to afford their own equipment and land, so I propose that they are made to be an elite infantry unit.

[Lion.Kanzen]

Emblem Link to Download

https://www.dropbox.com/s/teuaku2atbs1a6m/ptolemaic.psd

by Lion under CC

[Lion.Kanzen]

Galatians as Mercenaries

Romanized units

Edited January 9, 2013 by Lion.Kanzen