The Pax Romana Campaign

It was during Rome's height that it began to show weakness, and in this scenario, you are responsible for holding off the inevitable decline of the Roman Empire. Your enemies are arrayed against you, and they include foreign empires and former allies. This campaign offers five scenarios, as you battle Antony and Cleopatra, rivals for the Imperial throne, the treacherous Palmyrans, and finally the Huns.

Scenario One: Actium

Objective: Destroy the town centers of the two enemy fortresses and sink Cleopatra's barge.

Strategy: This scenario requires a two-pronged attack. There are three targets that you must destroy: Antony's town center (red) to the south of your town, Egypt's town center (brown) on the continent south of yours, and Cleopatra's barge in the east of the map, on the other side of a strait between the two continents. You begin with a town of several houses, a stable, a barracks, and a dock. The only other buildings you'll need are a siege workshop and an additional dock to support your shipbuilding efforts. There is a good supply of stone, gold, and wood in your town. You'll be harassed periodically by small groups of soldiers. However, these attacks are largely ineffectual overtures, so as long as you keep three or four cavalry in reserve, you don't really have to worry.

	Clearing these straits will allow you to sail to meet Cleopatra's navy unhindered.
	This is Cleopatra's barge, protected behind a wall of five juggernauts and four triremes.

To win the scenario, start by building several catapults and cavalry. Then just sweep down with your catapults to destroy all of Antony's towers in the south. Bring the cavalry along to slay the many long-swordsmen in wait. You'll want to sail through the straits to meet Cleopatra's barge, but lying on either side are two catapult towers. Destroy the one on your continent with your catapults. Now bring a dozen triremes and catapult triremes to the strait to destroy the other catapult tower and the catapult on the other side of the strait. You'll need some extra gold for more ships, so either take Antony's evacuated space or sail west to a free island that's rich with gold, stone, and wood.

Once you eliminate the twin towers and catapult guarding the straits, you'll just need to muster a fleet of 12-16 ships to take down Cleopatra's navy. Her barge is an enhanced juggernaut with 500 hit points, 60 attack, and 10 range.

The last objective is the Egypt town center, which is poorly defended. There are just two catapult towers and a few bowmen and chariot archers. Just clear the beach with a few ships and drop off a few catapults and cavalry. Houses block access to the town center, but the catapults can pound the town center to dust in a quick minute.

Reminders: Keep a few cavalry in your town at all times for early attacks from Antony and a late-game landing by an Egyptian catapult or two. You'll only need three or four catapults, as long as you have a dozen cavalry units as a vanguard. A dozen ships will win the sea battles. Research engineering and ballistics to give you the advantage on the high seas.

Next, Scenario Two: Year of the Four Emperors