Let's play Civilization II! (A Byzantine Empire Scenario)

[StarshipTitanic]

In a fit of nostalga, I've decided to play some Civ II scenarios from my youth. I picked one of my favorites, which picks up after the Fourth Crusade and the sack of Constantinople in 1204. Don't worry, there will be pictures once I get started. Also you can participate in deciding what my general strategy will be.

This map from Wikipedia is reasonably close to the scenario's initial borders.

There are 7 civilization choices, but two look very boring so I'm not putting them as options (Venetians and Trebizond). You may pick between these choices:

The Byzantines - Centered in Nicaea, they were historically the faction that reconquered Constantinople in 1261. They are second in size to the Latins, but are more centralized. In the east, they have an excellent line of fortresses protecting them from the Trapezuntines, Ottomans, and barbarians representing other Turks. In the west, they are in conflict with the Latins along the coast of Anatolia and by Constantinople. The challenge for the Byzantines is that they'll always be in a two-front war.

Latin Empire - The largest faction and also in possession of the Crusader states in the Middle East and Cyprus. While they are surrounded by enemies, their sheer size and possession of several major cities (Constantinople, Thessalonica, Athens) may make them rather easy.

Epirus - Historically they were another major Byzantine successor state, but they only start with four cities on the periphery of the Balkans. They'll have to fight through the Latins, Serbs, and Venetians to establish a strong state. Definitely a challenge.

Serbia - Larger than Epirus, but further distant from the main focus of the scenario. They also must battle vicious barbarians representing medieval Bulgaria. Either a great challenge or simply boring, but they're the second other playable non-Greek European so I'll offer them anyway.

Ottomans - Not historical, but they are the only Muslim Turkish power given a civilization. They only start with Ankara but with the Fundamentalist government (which you may remember allows for many free units and money from religious buildings). Their goal is to expand in every direction.

The other two I won't be playing are the Venetians, who hold some bases along the Balkan shore and most of the Aegean islands with a huge fleet, and the Trapezuntines, who are a third major Greek state but isolated and heavily protected in northern Anatolia.

[Maxentius]

I voted Byzantines. But as a history nerd and Romanophile, I am admittedly biased.

[StarshipTitanic]

I began a game as the Byzantines in 1204.



That blue border does get annoying.



Damned Latins can't even spell Emperor right. How long must we tolerate them?!

The Latins hold three cities in Anatolia. Restoring control over those cities is my first objective.



However, we also have a mighty force deep within enemy territory ready to strike when the time is right.



After I conquer Edremit, Balikisir, and Badirma where shall I go? A direct attack on heavily-guarded Constantinople? Against the Venetians in the Aegean? Or should I instead go east and further into Anatolia?