The Byzantine Empire is a faction in Medieval II: Total War, unlockable after completing the campaign as one of the starting factions.
Description[]
Byzantium is the shadow that remains of the old Roman Empire. Despite retaining the civilized ways of the Roman legacy, the Byzantines have done little to further it. In fact, it is their reverence of the old ways that has brought the empire to a point of stagnation, in a world that has gradually kept moving on. The differences between the thinking in Byzantium and the west were most profoundly highlighted with the Great Schism, the division of Christendom.
Despite boasting the world's trade capital and home of Orthodox Christianity in Constantinople, the Byzantine Empire is well past its zenith and is now in steady decline. The outer regions of the empire have been slipping from the Emperor's grasp for decades now. To the west, the Normans have taken southern Italy, and in the east the Turks have moved into Asia Minor after their decisive and terrible victory at Manzikert. The latter of these two losses was the worst defeat the Empire had suffered in its entire history. To make matters worse, general corruption, chaos, and dissent has lead to some of the other provinces closer to home to rebel.
Arguably, the greatest threat to Byzantium lies in its independence from Rome. There is significant risk that the lords of the west will consider the lands of Orthodox Christianity to be fair game unless the Pope decrees otherwise. It is a true irony that Constantinople may now have to appease Rome after becoming the new capital of the Roman Empire centuries ago.
If the Byzantine Empire is to once again become the dominant power of the east, then it will first need to reclaim its heartlands wholly before encroaching upon the borders of another power. The Byzantine legacy is long and predominantly proud, but unless the Emperor can turn things around in a hurry, it is a legacy that will soon end.
Strengths[]
Good heavy cavalry and missile cavalry, capable archers.
Weaknesses[]
Lacks late period gunpowder.
Overview[]
- Religion - Orthodox
- Long Campaign win conditions - Hold 45 regions, including: Rome Region, Jerusalem Region
- Short Campaign win conditions - Hold 15 regions. Eliminate Factions: Venice, The Turks
- Financial Start - Starting Purse 6,000 Florins
- Kings Purse - 2,000 Florins
Settlements
- Constantinople (Large City, Capital) - Town Guard, Small Orthodox Church, Town Hall, Grain Exchange, Dirt Roads, Port, Land Clearance
- Nicosia (Wooden Castle) - Mustering Hall
- Nicaea (Large Town) - Town Watch
- Thessalonica (Large Town) - Town Watch
- Corinth (Castle) - Mustering Hall
Initial units
- 4 General's Bodyguards
- 2 Spear Militia
- 1 Town Militia
- 5 Peasant Archers
- 1 Peasants
- 7 Byzantine Spearmen
- 4 Dromon
Ruling Family
- Emperor Alexius (Age 45; Faction Leader) - Command 8, Dread/Chivalry 0, Authority 2, Piety 3
- Prince John (Age 26; Faction Heir) - Command 5, Dread/Chivalry 0, Loyalty 5, Piety 3
- Andronicus Comnenus (Age 2; Junior Family Member; Male)
- Isaac Comnenus (Age 1; Junior Family Member; Male)
Initial Agents
- Kyriakos Loukites (Age 30; Spy) - 3 Subterfuge
- Demetrios Kalaphates (Age 30; Merchant) - 3 finance
- Gavriel Branas (Age 44; Priest) - 4 piety
- Anna Comnenus (Age 20; Princess) - 3 charm
Admirals
- Admiral Dragos (36) - 0 command - 2 Dromon fleet
- Admiral Foteinus (36) - 0 command - 2 Dromon fleet
Trivia[]
- The symbol of the Byzantine Empire is based on the Tetragrammatic cross.
| Medieval II: Total War Factions | |
|---|---|
| Starting Grand Campaign Factions | England • France • The Holy Roman Empire • Spain • Venice |
| Unlock-able Grand Campaign Factions | Sicily • Milan • Scotland • The Byzantine Empire • Russia • Moors • The Turks • Egypt • Denmark • Portugal • Poland • Hungary |
| Unplayable Grand Campaign Factions | The Papal States • The Aztecs • The Mongols • Timurids • Rebels |
| Tutorial Campaign | Normans • The Papal States • Saxons • Scotland • Rebels |