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.
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
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.
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.
