The Byzantines
The Byzantines are a new civilization available with The Sultans Ascend Expansion for Age of Empires IV.
The Byzantines come equipped with three unique aspects: an Aqueduct network, access to mercenaries, and powerful Greek Fire. The civilization constructs sprawling Aqueduct networks that boost the productivity of their empire and aids in the generation of Olive Oil, a unique fifth resource used to hire mercenaries. From a militaristic standpoint, the Byzantines have capable command over the battlefield, pairing a broad roster of units and mercenaries with powerful Greek Fire that can have lasting effect on an impacted area.
In Age of Empires IV, the civilization of the Byzantines covers roughly early 9th century CE to mid-15th century CE. The Eastern Roman Empire (now commonly called the Byzantine Empire) was created in an administrative split with the Western Roman Empire in 285 and lasted over a thousand years – surviving the fall of their Western counterpart and providing the shining center of medieval civilization in their capital of Constantinople, while beset by enemies on all sides. At their height, the Byzantines commanded a sprawling Empire that spread throughout the eastern Mediterranean.
Playing the Byzantines
The Byzantines bolster their forces by using Olive Oil, a fifth resource unique to this civilization, to hire a vast array of mercenary forces. The civilization gains access to Olive Oil over time by gathering from the unique Olive Grove that replaces the standard Farm. With access to such a broad roster of units and mercenaries, the Byzantine’s highly varied army is capable of adapting to whatever they encounter.
Additionally, networks of Aqueducts and Cisterns provide water to all corners of the Byzantines’ empire, providing a variety of enhancements to all nearby Villagers and buildings. As more Cisterns are connected, the water level increases, improving their effectiveness.
Engulf your opponents in fire and flame by spreading Greek Fire with Trebuchets, Dromons, and Cheirosiphons. First invented by the Byzantines in 672, the Cheirosiphon was a hand-held Greek Fire projector used to great effect on both water and land, creating lasting patches of sticky burning ground wherever it landed.
The Byzantine Units at a Glance
Cataphract
Completely enclosed in scale armor and equipped with a powerful lance, the Cataphract replaces the Knight at a higher cost; groups of Cataphract are capable of a devastating charge that tramples anything in their path.
Varangian Guard
Imperial bodyguards drawn from Northern Europe and beyond, Varangian Guards are powerful elite soldiers. By stowing their shield and swapping it for a great two-handed axe, the Varangian Guard trade armor for a significantly increased burst of damage with their Berserking ability.
Cheirosiphon
As a replacement to the Ram, the Cheirosiphon sprays jets of Greek Fire; these flames remain over time, leaving burning ground that deals damage to anything caught in the blaze.
Limitanei
Engage the shield wall with the Byzantine Spearman replacement, the Limitanei. While active, the shield wall drastically reduces incoming ranged damage at the cost of movement and attack speed.
Cataphract
Completely enclosed in scale armor and equipped with a powerful lance, the Cataphract replaces the Knight at a higher cost; groups of Cataphract are capable of a devastating charge that tramples anything in their path.
Varangian Guard
Imperial bodyguards drawn from Northern Europe and beyond, Varangian Guards are powerful elite soldiers. By stowing their shield and swapping it for a great two-handed axe, the Varangian Guard trade armor for a significantly increased burst of damage with their Berserking ability.
Cheirosiphon
As a replacement to the Ram, the Cheirosiphon sprays jets of Greek Fire; these flames remain over time, leaving burning ground that deals damage to anything caught in the blaze.
Limitanei
Engage the shield wall with the Byzantine Spearman replacement, the Limitanei. While active, the shield wall drastically reduces incoming ranged damage at the cost of movement and attack speed.
The Byzantines through the Ages
Age 1
In Age 1, the Byzantines can establish the first Cistern and the start of a future Aqueduct network. Villagers gain a gathering bonus when within range of the Cisterns, and buildings within influence can benefit from a variety of different enhancements.
Age 2
The Grand Winery creates the opportunity in Age 2 to recruit mercenaries and provides an Olive Oil production boost to Villagers gathering nearby. This Age also brings with it the opportunity to quickly produce cavalry units via the Imperial Hippodrome.
Age 3
In Age 3, the Byzantines choose between The Golden Horn Tower or the Cistern of the First Hill. The former allows the civilization to automatically recruit mercenaries at no cost, whereas the latter provides a powerful healing effect via the Pilgrim Flask technology.
Age 4
Age 4 comes with the option of either producing siege engines from across the known world with the aid of the Foreign Engineering Company or strengthening and training additional units from the core Byzantine roster from the Palatine School.