Rise of Nations Nations

Original Game Nations | Thrones and Patriots Nations

Aztec

Aztec Calendar Stone

The Aztecs were a warlike tribe that dominated the area around central Mexico from their capitol of Tenochtitlan. The religious beliefs of the Mezo-Americans demanded human sacrifices to insure the fertility of their land, indeed the continuation of the world. The Aztecs in particular took to this with more enthusiasm then any other in the Americas. Their men were trained from birth to wage war on their neighbors and take prisoners for this practice. In Rise of Nations, the Aztecs gain resources for every enemy unit destroyed. Their unique units, which include the Atl-Atl, a javelin throwing unit, and the Jaguar Infantry, named after their elite Jaguar Warrior caste. The Aztec unique units should be feared not only for their unique ability to “sacrifice” their victims, but are the most powerful of all corresponding units of the same type compared to other nations.… for more info.

Bantu

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British

coin

The British Empire had it origins on a misty island isolated from continental Europe. It would become the most successful Imperial power in the last half millenium, and the most expansive in history. It had possessed at one time, colonies and commercial interests across the globe in every corner of the world. It is from this that in Rise of Nations that the British possesses the power of Empire. This gives them a number of advantages in commerce and taxation. The British gained their extensive colonial possessions due to their hugely successful navy that is embodied by legendary seamen such as Drake, Nelson and Cook. In Rise of Nations, they can create ships faster, and important bonus if you want to dominate the seas as their real life counterpart did. During its rise to power, Britain was famed for their superior archers. The battle of Agincourt where English longbowmen devastated the French forces inspires Rise of Nations to give them a line of unique archer units starting from the classical age through to the Gunpowder age. In later ages they are still well equiped with the Highlander, Blackwatch and then the Lancaster Bombers to give them their edge in the late game. …for more info.

Chinese

Dragon

China is a perennial in historical strategy games. It is no surprise given its lengthy history as a powerful and opulent nation in the ancient world, who continue to be a major force in the world today. In Rise of Nations it is portrayed as a nation with rapid population growth, in its ordinary peasantry, trade units and scholars. It is also a nation that accumulates knowledge faster, enabling it to develop through the ages faster then other nations. As the country that invented gunpowder it also gains a gunpowder using unique unit, called the fire lance. The last dynastic regime of China, which lasted for over 250 years, was established by the Manchurians, and in this regard Rise of Nations has provided the Chinese with the Manchurian Infantry. The Chinese are also able to produce these unique units faster and cheaper, to reflect the Chinese penchant for massive human wave armies. … for more info.

Egyptians

Egypt is synonymous with history and civilization. The Egyptian civilization was based in the fertile Nile River valley. They saw their Pharaoh as a god incarnate who controlled the flow of this life-giving river. Such a god king demanded monuments, and the Egyptians were prodigious builders of megaliths that continue to inspire awe and mystery even today. So in Rise of Nations, the Egyptians are given the unique ability to build two (rather then a single) wonder per city, and at a cheaper cost. The Egyptians were also one of the earliest superpowers in the world, and when Rameses the Great set out on his conquests, he did it in a war chariot, giving them their first unique unit. Interactions with neighboring Arabs introduced the Camel to the Egyptians. These animals were ideally suited to Egypt, giving them their second unique unit, the Camel Warrior. By the Medieval Age, Turkic tribes entered Egypt and served as warrior slaves but eventually rose to rule Egypt itself, giving the Egyptians their third unique unit, the Mamelukes. … for more info.

French

France’s origin began with the Gauls who were contemporaries of the Romans. The Romans would eventually conquered the area and incorporate it as provinces in the Roman Empire. After the fall of Rome, Charlemagne the King of the Franks, from which France got its name, carried on the mantle of European Empire. Throughout the Middle Ages, it participated in the many Christian Crusades. But in its long history, Napoleon stands out as France’s most revered of military leaders. In Rise of Nations, following the examples of the Crusading Knights to Napoleon’s use of Cavalry as shock troops. France is portrayed as a nation with superior cavalry from the classical to the enlightenment age. Further inspired by Napoleon’s use of the Corps D’Armée concept; generals, scouts, spies, supply wagons for the French are produced faster, cheaper and are more powerful.… for more info.

Germans

The Germans originated from tribes that migrated from the Baltic towards present day Germany around 500 B.C. By 100 B.C. they came into contact and conflict with the Roman Empire as they continued south and the Romans North. They unlike other barbarian tribes however managed to stay the Roman advance. In this spirit, the Germans in Rise of Nations possess a line of superior heavy infantry as their unique unit. Starting in the ancient age with the Solduri, and progressing to the Barbarian, to the Vandals and onto the Landsknecht in the Gunpowder Age. In the modern era Germany emerged as a military power. This inspires Rise of Nations to give the Germans a bonus in gold and wood collecting, submarine costs and air unit production. Using a strategy called Blitzkrieg, tank warfare came to fore. German advances in Tank technology resulted in the development of the most powerful tank during World War Two, the “Tiger”. It should come as no surprise that this achievement is represented as a unique unit in Rise of Nations. In the Information Age their unique tank line continues with the Leopard main battle tank.… for more info.

Greeks

The Greek civilization is known as the “Cradle of western civilization”, it was a host to some of the most notable philosophers and scientists the world has ever known, even unto the present day. It is also the birthplace of democracy, and counts as one of the world’s oldest civilizations. For this the Greeks in Rise of Nations, research speed is doubled and cheaper when done at the library. The Greek culture saw its largest extent through the efforts of Alexander the Great. His father unified the Greek city-states, and he went on to conquer Egypt, Persia and North Western India, creating the largest state the world has ever known up to that point. The Greek form of warfare was best known for their Hoplites, and the formidable phalanx formation. However it was the Macedonian Greek’s brilliant use of cavalry, called “The Companions”, that brought them victory at Chaeronea in 338 B.C. This provides the Greeks in Rise of Nations a unique line of Cavalry units starting from the Classical Age. As they evolve into their Byzantine successors after they were absorbed into the Roman Empire, and although historically the Byzantines themselves became under Ottoman rule by the Gunpowder Age. The Greeks in Rise of Nations continue with their unique unit line with the Byzantine’s Royal Stratiotai, a heavily armored cavalrymen available in the Enlightenment Age. … for more info.

Inca

The Inca began as a warlike tribe inhabiting the Andeas Mountains and forged an Empire that became the largest native American civilization that ever existed. It covered territory that stretched almost the entire length of the South American continent. The Inca dynasty began in the 13th Century A.D. and reached its height in the 15th century A.D. subjugating the other Andean tribes with their powerful army. The Inca worshiped a Sun god called Inti, as their central deity. In Rise of Nations, the Inca is provided with a powerful melee type light infantry called the Inti clubmen starting from the classical age. The Inca was also called the People of the Sun. Not only because of their religion but also for the vaste amount of gold and silver that their land yielded. This inspires the Inca in Rise of Nations to gain the Power of Gold, which gives them the ability to accumulate wealth in addition to metal when mining. … for more info.

Japanese

Japan is best known for its Samurai spirit. The samurai were a special warrior class within the social fabric of Japan that lived according to the ideals of Bushido (or way of the warrior). The Samurai inspires the Samurai line of unique units in Rise of Nations. They start as Ashigaru Spearmen in the ancient age, and progress to Gun Samurai in the Enlightenment age. Indeed Japan’s early history is filled with periods of internal conflict, until Tokugawa Ieyasu managed to bring the entire island under his control in 1600 A.D. and was appointed Shogun. His regime brought peace to Japan for over 250 years until western powers forced Japan into the modern era. Japan quickly modernized and even developed imperialistic ambitions of its own. Most notable were victories at sea over the Russian Pacific fleet in 1905 A.D. Later in the Second World War, Japan developed the largest battleship of the war, the Yamato. In rise of Nations, Japan receives a bonus for ships to reflect their naval power. Japan was finally defeated by the devastation of two atomic bombs, doggedly defending Island bases where they were characterized by their refusal to surrender even against the face of certain defeat. This is reflected in the game where their buildings do not produce plunder for the victors, while receiving double plunder when they destroy enemy buildings. … for more info.

Koreans

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Maya

The Maya were a collection of independent states that settled the areas of the Yucatan Peninsula in Southern Mexico. They carried out warfare not only for sacrificial victims like other Mezo-Americans, but also for economic dominance. Unlike the Aztecs however, they were known to build defensive structures to protect these economic interests and hold the territory they had gained. In Rise of Nations, the Mayan defensive structures have the ability to attack without garrisoning. This highlights their use of such defenses. They also get the militia ability that allows them to transforms their villagers into combat units and back again for free. Their jungle kingdom inspired in them a great respect for the Jaguar, called “Balam” in the Mayan language. So they are given a unique line of slingers, called Balamob Slingers, who are superior to other light infantry. They are also given a line of anti-tank unique units, starting with the recoilless rifle to round out the civilization for the later ages.… for more info.

Mongols

Out of steppes of Central Asia, a nomadic tribe would emerge under the leadership of Temujin, or Genghis Khan as he would be known, to create the largest continuous land Empire that the world would ever know. The Mongols were one of the many tribes that inhabited Central Asia, that all shared a nomadic culture based on herding and horses. Their favorite weapon was the bow, and when combined with the mobility of the horse, created a warrior who could kill from a great distance, and move with uncanny speed and agility. Under the direction of Genghis Khan, these nomadic tribes were organized into a devastating fighting force, and a scourge to those whom ever they faced. In Rise of Nations, these infamous horsemen inspires a line of unique units that begins in the classical age, with the Nomad, to the Golden Horde in the Enlightenment Age. The ability of the nomadic tribes to eke out a living from bleak surroundings is reflected in the ability of the Mongol unique units to withstand attrition much better then regular units. Mongol strategy and tactics also created an illusion that they vastly outnumber their foes, and in this regard, whenever a stable is built, three cavalry archers are created for free. This ability extends to armored cars to give the Mongols an edge in the later ages of the game. … for more info.

Nubians

Nubia was known as “Ta-Seti”, or the Land of the Bow, by the Egyptians. The skills of the Nubian Archers were well known in the ancient world. In rise of Nations, these archers make up one line of unique units for the Nubians. The Kushite Archer, named after the first Nubian Kingdom of Kush, makes their appearance in the Classical Age, continuing to the Gunpowder Age with the Apedemak Archer, named after the Nubian God of War. The Nubians and Egyptians had a close relationship throughout much of their history either as trade partners or as suzerain overlords over one another. Indeed, trade was a major component of the Nubian civilization, and in Rise of Nations, they are possess the ability to derive benefits from rare resources in their territory even without having a merchant present. The Nubians were also introduced to use of camels in war early in its history providing them with their second unique unit. The Nubians receives Camel Archers starting in the Classical Age that continue into the Enlightenment Age as the Camel Corp. … for more info.

Romans

Rome perhaps is the civilization that can boast as having the greatest influence on the Europe, if not the World. Its conquests stretched as far North as Scotland, Land around the entire Mediterranean Basin, and the Middle East, as far east as ancient Parthia. Even the German’s whom they did not conquer, eventually adopted Roman heritage and titles to legitimize their own positions in Europe. The legacy of these conquests reverberate to this very day in any European based nation, who if not seeking to emulate the Roman Empire outright, strive to understand it and model their nation on what made Rome great. Roman successes in the ancient world owed much to the highly trained and disciplined Legions. These soldiers replaces the Heavy Infantry line, which they get two free units of for every barrack they build. They start in the Classical Age and continue to the Praetorian Guard in the Gunpowder age. They also possess stronger fortresses and towers in the game, to reflect the expert and liberal use of these structures that the Romans had done historically. … for more info.

Russians

Russia is a land known for its vast landscapes and severe winters. The Russian people took pride and often relied on it to help them in their defense. Indeed it did inevitably caused the defeat of their foes on several occasions. In Rise of Nations this is one of their unique powers, which causes enemies to suffer double attrition. The Russian people had its origins with nomadic Scythian tribes that settled in the Steppes of Southern Russia during the 7th century B.C. Later Viking traders turned conquerors integrated themselves into this vast land. It is because of them that Russia got its name. A militaristic people known as the Cossacks also inhabited the Russian Steppes. Often the Russians and the Cossacks faced the same enemies, and thus the Cossacks became integrated as a military caste in service of the Russian crown. Thus the Cossack unique line of units is provided to the Russians from the classical age to the gunpowder age. In the modern era the Russians had to face the determined Nazi war machine during the Second World War. They did it with their Red Guards who embodied the spirit in what the Russians called the “Patriotic War”. The Red guards were well supported with the Katyusha Rocket Launchers, all providing the Russians with a strong set of unique units in the modern age and beyond. … for more info.

Spanish

The Spanish had an ancient origin that began with sucessive waves of different peoples into the Iberian peninsula throughout its history. This rich mix of peoples which saw the infusion of Libyan, Celts, Phoenicians, Greeks to the Romans in antiquity. After the fall of Rome, this infusion of people continued with the Visigoths who established a number of Kingdoms, which not only would form the basis for what we know as Spain but would later be the seeds of the Christian reconquest against the Arabs. The Moors as these Arabs were known would rule over the region for 800 years until the Reconquest of Spain in the 15th century A.D. These Christian Kingdoms would even see the unification and raise of Spain as a world power as it extended its power through the exploration and subjugation of the New World. In Rise of Nations, this gives inspiration for the power of discovery. This allows them to start the map with it fully explored, and lets them starts more and better scouts. They also receive more resources from discovering ruins and receive a free heavy warship whenever a dock is built until the Industrial Age to reflect their extensive history of explorating and conquests of the world by sea. They also possess a line of unique heavy infantry units that begin with the Scutari in the Classical age and end with the Royal Tercios in the Enlightenment age. … for more info.

Turks

The Turks were a nomadic, warrior people that originated from Central Asia, but who in several waves of migration spread westward conquering lands in India, the Middle East, Russia, Anatolia, and Eastern Europe. They came to establish several Empires: the Mamelukes in Egypt, the Seljuks of Persia and Anatolia, and finally, the Ottoman Empire which at its height spanned from Eastern Europe to North Africa, the Caucasus and the Middle East. It was the Ottomans that put the death nail on the remnants of the Classical Roman Empire when they seized Constantinople with the aid of massive siege artillery in 1453 A.D. In Rise of Nations, the Turks receive a line of unique units in the artillery line beginning at the Gunpowder Age with the Basilica Bombard to reflect their use of these devastating weapons. The Ottomans also came to recruit its military through the conscription of the children of its conquered subjects, who were raised as Moslems and trained throughout their lives as Warriors. These extraordinary soldiers were called the Janissary, and in Rise of Nations appear along side its artillery units to give the Turks an army worthy of its historical counterpart. … for more info.