In this installment of our Age of Kings preview, we take a look at the Saracens. Who are the Saracens? According to Ensemble Studios, the Saracens were both a nomadic tribe of horsemen and an umbrella phrase for all Muslims in the Middle East during the Middle Ages.

Greg Street, designer, says, "The Greek word 'Saracen' first described nomadic Syrians, then Arabs, and was later used by Europeans to describe any Muslim. While the name is most closely tied with Arabs, the Middle East was quite a jumble of cultures in the era of the Crusades. Turks had moved down from Anatolia, Persians had come in from Iran, and much of the area in between was still in the hands of Arabs left over from the conquests of the Prophet. The Crusaders called the whole lot 'Saracens,' and so do we."

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Thus, in Age of Kings, the Saracens are the Muslim states of the Middle East, not including the Muslim Turks, which formed a strong region under unified Islamic control. Although Islam itself was subject to a schism within its ranks, to the outside observer, and the Europeans, of the Middle Ages, the Saracens were in essence the aggregate forces of Islam.

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In this installment, we'll take a look at the Saracen bonuses, the mameluke unique unit, as well as the university and trebuchet. As always, we provide a little history, although it is by no means comprehensive. To skip it, click here. Otherwise, read on.

Next: History