The Europa Barbarorum Wonders Project

[oudysseos]

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Greetings Europa Barbarorum fans.


One of the wonderful things about Europa Barbarorum for RTW was, well, its Wonders.

In place of the very few and Graeco-Romanocentric "wonders" from vanilla Rome Total War, the EB team researched and implemented more than 70 historically accurate man-made and natural Unique Buildings of the ancient world, from the British Isles to India. Not only did they appear as buildings, with descriptions and bonuses; many of them were made into Battle Map models, so you could fight in the shade of Stonehenge or between the feet of the Sphinx at Giza.

Europa Barbarorum 2 will retain many if not most of these features, but the introduction of a unique Province Building (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=115627) for every region gives us the opportunity to expand this kind of content.

And this is where you, the community, can be part of the project. There are many wonderful features of the classical world, and the success of the Quotes Project has convinced us that our community of fans has a lot to contribute.

We are looking for two kinds of things.

1. "Wonders of the Ancient World" that could be made into Unique Buildings as in EB1.
2. Significant and interesting features of geography or culture that could be part of the Province Building descriptions.

Don't be overly concerned with categorizing your submissions. Ultimately the team will decide how best to use the material. It goes without saying that we are only interested in unique features that are contemporary to 3rd, 2nd and 1st centuries BCE: the Eiffel Tower is very unique and wonderful, but wouldn't be appropriate for Europa Barbarorum.

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The Rules

1. No Spam will be tolerated. Spurious, "funny", or obscene posts will be deleted and the poster reported to global moderators if necessary. If the Team's time is wasted on policing juvenile spam, the project will be abandoned and the thread locked and/or deleted.

2. Look at the list of Wonders already in EB or already proposed. Posting something that is already there just wastes everyone's time. A search of the thread will help determine if your idea has already been posted.

3. The Team will decide which wonders will be included. There may be an upper limit to how many are possible, and overall balance will also be a consideration. Ultimately, we'll decide what goes in the release, although anyone can modify their own version if they wish.

4. Do Not Overdo It with Images. Please be considerate of other forum members who may have slower internet connexions or older computers: if you have a big image, use thumbnails or tags to minimize its impact. Feel free to hyper-link to images on Wikipedia or other sites rather than posting them directly here.

5. Do the Research. Don't just post a name- we need some information about whatever it is you think should be included. Bear in mind that neolithic sites like Newgrange may well have disappeared by the Iron Age, only to be rediscovered by modern archaeology. We need some evidence that the site was known to the people of EB.

6. Be Original. Do not just copy and paste Wikipedia articles- if you care enough about a cool feature of the ancient world to suggest it to us, care enough to write your own description.

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There is no cut-and-dried format in this project: the best way to exemplify what it is you would be doing is to provide you with a few examples.


New Wonder Proposal: The Vale of the White Horse

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f5/White_horse_from_air.jpg/285px-White_horse_from_air.jpg

The White Horse of Uffington, with its elegant lines of white chalk bedrock, is thought to be the oldest hill figure in Britain. The image is a stylised representation of a horse (some would say dragon) and is thought to date back as far as 1000BC in the late Bronze Age. This is by far the oldest of all the white horses, and is of an entirely different design to the others. Unlike the solid and more or less naturalistic figures of the other horses, the Uffington white horse is formed from stylized curving lines some ten feet or less wide, and its length of around 365 feet makes it over twice as long as the longest of the Wiltshire horses.

The original purpose of this horse is unknown. It may have been the emblem of a local tribe, and have been cut as a totem or badge marking their land, or it may have had a religious purpose or significance. The horse-goddess Epona was worshipped by the Celts in Gaul, and she had a counterpart in Britain, Rhiannon, so the Uffington white horse may have been cut by adherents of a cult of the horse-goddess.

Alternatively, the horse could have been cut by worshippers of the sun god Belinos or Belenus, who was associated with horses. He was sometimes depicted on horseback, and Bronze and Iron Age sun chariots were shown as being drawn by horses. Conceivably, if this suggestion is correct, the horse could have been cut on the shallower slope at the top of the hill in order to be seen from above by the god himself.

The Uffington white horse can be seen from up to twenty miles away in good conditions. It can be seen close up from the top of nearby Dragon Hill, but is perhaps best viewed from three or four miles away, being on the very top of the escarpment where the slope is less steep.

http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/sites/default/files/images/manger.jpg

The Manger is a strangely shaped valley, which is thought to have been formed by the melting of ice in the last Ice Age. Folklore suggests that the manger is the supernatural feeding place for the White Horse, which would travel from its vantage point on the crest of the hill on moonlit nights.

http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/sites/default/files/images/dragon-hill.jpg

Dragon Hill is a low flat-topped mound situated in the valley below the White Horse. Although later legends has it as the place where St George slew the dragon, the flat, bare top seems to have been man-made sometime in the later Bronze Age. As it affords a good view of the Horse, it is assumed that it was built for this purpose.





Province Description Material: The British Isles

The Cliffs of Moher (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliffs_of_Moher)
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:4isoKjy_vGpL1M:http://www.thisfabtrek.com/journey/europe/ireland/dublin/cliffs-moher-4.jpg

Dún Aonghasa (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dún_Aonghasa)
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:vj0-HQqwjz8ErM:http://www.uni-due.de/DI/Dun_Aengus_1.jpg

The Ridgeway, Sweet Track, Icknield Way (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ridgeway)
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/ae/RidgewayRingfort.jpg/180px-RidgewayRingfort.jpg

Cruachán Aigle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croagh_Patrick)
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/13/Reek-in-mist.jpg/120px-Reek-in-mist.jpg



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Here is a list of the Unique Buildings from EB1, roughly divided by geographical region. Please, study this list before you submit a suggestion for a new Wonder that we already have. Most of these will appear in EB2.


British Isles

Cairncalladryrdan (The Old Standing Stones)
Caernahfronynys (The Calanish Stones)
Teamhaidh Cnocinhaofan (Holy Hill of Tara)
Ynys Duwall (Island of Darkness)

Gaul

Cairnaichaeoriam (The Place of Many Stones)
Ogmioteriam Odemorix (The Great Gallic Council)
Tolosa (Place of Lakes)

Germania, Baltic, and Thrace

Barrocandoa (The Amber Route)
Glazowegoz (The Amber Route)
Laguz Wīhoz (The Holy Lake)
Kogaionon (The Sacred Mountain)
Limios Alsos (The Sacred Grove)
Mōristaigōnez (Marshland Footbridges)
Nerthouz Agwijōn Wīhā (Sanctuary of Nerthuz)
Sammallahdenmaki Cairns

Iberia

Akroterion Hieron (The Sacred Cape)
HaMigdalim Sel Herqal (Pillars of Herakles)
HaMitsbot HaBaleariot (Cyclopean Monuments of the Baleares)

Italy, Greece, Balkans

Aigai (Makedonian Royal Tombs)
Akropolis Athenaia (The Athenian Akropolis)
Avernvs Lacvs (Lake Avernus)
Delphinion (Oracle of Apollo at Delphi)
Diolkos (Isthmos Causeway)
Dodone (Oracle of Zeus Dodonaios)
(Paestum Temples)
Eikon tou Dios (The Statue of Zeus)
Elektrine Keleuthos (The Amber Route)
Garganus Mons et Foresta Umbra (Mount Gargano and the Ghostly Forest)
HaMiqdasim HaAgrigentim (Agrigento Temples)
HaMiqdasim Ha'Attiqim Sel Malta (Megalithic Maltese Temples)
HaNuraghim HaSardinim (Sardinian Nuraghi)
Hiera Isthmia (Isthmian Games)
Hiera Nemea (Nemean Games)
Hiera Olympia (Olympic Games)
Hiera Pythia (Pythian Games)
Mons Capitolinus et Templvm Iovis Optimi Maximi (The Capitoline Hill and Temple of Jupiter Best and Greatest)

Africa

(Garamante Royal Cemetry)
HaNamal WeHa'Homot Sel Qarthadast (The Port and Walls of Carthage)
HaMiqdasim Sel Ba'al-Hammon WeAstarot (Ba'al and Astarot's Temple Complexes)
Mitsbat HaPilaenim (Altar of the Philaeni)

Egypt

Ammonion (Oracle of Zeus-Ammon)
A'ssakhr 'LMaghribi 'LAthim (The Great Marib Dam)
Bab el Mandeb (Red Sea Straits)
Gebel Barkal (Pyramids of Gebel Barkal)
HaHar HaQados (The Sacred Mountain)
Megales Pyramides (Great Pyramids of Gizeh)
Ho Taphos Tou Megalou Alexandrou (Tomb of Megas Alexandros)
Ochetos Arabikos (Nile-Red Sea Canal)
Nekropolis Thebaie (The Theban Nekropolis)
Pharos Alexandreias (Lighthouse of Alexandreia)
Philai, Edfu, Abu Simbel

Arabia

Ka'bah (Ka'bah at Mecca)
Mahram Bilqis (Temple of the Moon God)

Asia Minor

Artemision Ephesou (Temple of Artemis at Ephesos)
Asklepeion of Kos (Temple Complex of Asklepios and Hygeia)
Basileioi Taphoi Pontou (Royal Tombs of the Kings of Pontos)
Chrysokeros (The Golden Horn)
Drunemeton
Mausoleion Halikarnassou (Mausoleion of Halikarnassos)
Rhodios Kolossos (Kolossos of Rhodos)
Troia (The Site of Troy)

Persia, Mesopotamia, Caucasus

Akroterion Hormozon (Cape Hormozoi - Straits of Hormuz)
Akroterion Makon (Cape Makai - The Straits of Hormuz)
Ereipia Babyloniaka (The Ruins of Babylon)
Heliopolis (The Sacred City of Helios)
Kedroi Phoinikikai (Cedars of Lebanon)
Keleuthos Bombykike (The Silk Road)
Karahunj (Singing Stones)
Mega Agalma Anaitidos (Great Cult Statue of Anahita)
Odos Persike Basilike (Persian Royal Road)
Megas Naos Persikos Anaitidos (Great Persian Temple of Anahita)
Parsa (Persepolis)
Pasargadai (Pasargadai and Tomb of Kyros)
Râh-e Abrisham (The Silk Road)
To Hieron en tois Hierosolymois (The Holy Temple in Hierosolyma)
Van (Great Citadel and City of Van)
Shamiram-su (The Great Canal of Menua)

India

Alexandrou Bomoi Indikoi (Indian Altars of Alexandros)
Dharmaraja Thupa (Stupa of the King of the Dharma)
Siva Mandir (Indian Temple of Siva)

Far East

Alexandrou Bomoi Eschatoi (Alexander's Furthest Altars)
Sauromatae I Khashaya Nygad Kuybyrtae (Sarmatian Royal Tombs)
Skuda I Khashaya Nygad Kuybyrtae (Skythian Royal Tombs)
Ustyurt Plateau Sanctuaries
Varkana Drubustih (Hyrkanian Defensive Wall)

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Here are the original descriptions of the Unique Buildings from EB1, for reference.
[spoil]¬---------------------------
¬-------UNIQUES1------------
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{uniques1_name} Unique Buildings

{oneone} oneone
{oneone_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{oneone_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{oneone_barbarian} Tolosa (Place of Lakes)
{oneone_barbarian_desc}
When the Galatians campaigned in Greece, it culminated in the spectacular sack of Delphi, after which their fortunes were reversed, and the Celts fled into the north, abandonning captured cities, many fleeing for the safety of secured territories in Tylis. Others, however, decided to return home to Gaul with their share of the substantial treasure they had managed to loot from Greece.\n\nThese were members of the super-tribal Volcae, or 'Wolves', a collection of many tribes spread across Europe, though many of the most famous resided in southern Gaul. There, near the fortress of Tolosa, they gave thanks to their gods by performing a common Celtic ritual; votive offerings of enemy arms, armor, and treasure. The gods' share of the loot, as well as a convienent place to hide additional treasure, should it ever be needed. These were deposited in many holy lakes, and the treasure was so great, the lakes themselves held even a great earthly value outside of the Celts' religious sensibilities.\n\n
With these lakes left undisturbed, the local tribes should be peaceful, knowing, if nothing else, they still have their great sign of piety left intact. However, draining and plundering these lakes, while offending them, could leave one with a truly enormous amount of wealth at their disposal.
{oneone_barbarian_desc_short}
You have offered back to the gods the plundered goods. The gods smile down upon you!

{oneone_greek} Akropolis Athenaia (The Athenian Akropolis)
{oneone_greek_desc}
The importance of the Athenian Akropolis is hard to underestimate. The Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the patron goddess of the city Athena, is one of the most recognizable buildings in all of history. It was also considered the pinnacle of Greek craftsmanship and art. The even holier Erechtheion with the ancient statue of Athena also sat on the Akropolis, as did the Temple of Athena Nike and the massive and grand Propylaia. On one slope of the Athenian Akropolis sits the Theater of Dionysos, the birthplace of tragedy and comedy and the showplace of Athenian cult and festival, while on the other is found the world's most famous and earliest democracy, centered in the Athenians' Agora.
{oneone_greek_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction on the famed Athenian Akropolis. Athena herself smiles down upon you!

{oneone_egyptian} Artemision Ephesou (Temple of Artemis at Ephesos)
{oneone_egyptian_desc}
The people of Ephesos built a magnificently beautiful temple to honor Artemis, goddess of hunting, nature, and fertility. They built it upon the foundations of a previous temple to Artemis sponsored by King Kroisos of Lydia, whose wealth was vast enough to be considered proverbial. The original temple burned to the ground in 356 BC, on the very night of Megas Alexandros' birth. The arsonist Herostratos claimed he wanted his own name to be remembered for all time. Plutarchos would later declare the goddess was too busy watching over Alexandros to look after her own temple!\n\nIt was eventually restored in 323 BC, after the death of Alexandros. The sculptors Pheidias, Polykleitos, Kresilas, and Phradmon contributed great works to the temple. Filled with precious treasures and works of art, it continued to attract thousands of visitors and pilgrims from across the ancient world.
{oneone_egyptian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the Temple of Artemis at Ephesos.

{oneone_carthaginian} HaMiqdasim Sel Ba'al-Hammon WeAstarot (Ba'al and Astarot's Temple Complexes)
{oneone_carthaginian_desc}
Four huge and powerful structures in the magnificent city of Qarthadast stood as examples of Qarthadasti might: the temple districts of Ba'al and Astarot, the harbor, and the triple wall.\n\nThe temple of Ba'al-Hammon, which resided near the waterfront of the city, was famed for its cyclopean architecture that blended Greek and Phoenician styles. A massive academy was connected to the temple itself. The learned citizens of Qarthadast attended what was essentially one of the first universities of antiquity. The priesthood of Ba'al was based in this district, where it directly supported the élite fighting force known as the Sacred Band. Ba'al shared the temple complex with his consort Tanit. It is argued that in later years Tanit became more popular than Ba'al. Within the temple of Tanit in Qart-Hadast Hanno was said to have hung the skins of three beasts he called Gorillas that he found on his journey down the west coast of Africa as far as the gulf of Guinea. \n\nThe district of Astarot, as well as the training grounds outside the city, was equally magnificent in both Qarthadast and its northern neighbor, Utica. Though her temple was less impressive than that of Ba'al, the massive estates controlled by the priesthood allowed a special division of cavalry: Astarot's own Sacred Band.\n\nSTRATEGY: The Temple Complex provides additional happiness and troop experience bonuses when possessed by the Qarthadastim.
{oneone_carthaginian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the temple complexes of Ba'al and Astarot in Qart-Hadast and at the other great monuments of the city. The gods will surely favour you for doing this service to them.

{oneone_roman} Mons Capitolinus et Templvm Iovis Optimi Maximi (The Capitoline Hill and Temple of Jupiter Best and Greatest)
{oneone_roman_desc}
Mons Capitolinus et Templvm Iovis Optimi Maximi (The Capitoline Hill and Temple of Jupiter Best and Greatest)

Rising above the center of the Eternal City is the Mons Capitolinus. This promontory is situated between the Forum Romanum to the east and the Campus Martius to the north and west. Roman legends tell of a skull that was found buried in its rock, which foretold, the augurs say, that Roma will one day be the head of the entire world. At its highest southern point stands the most sacred site in all of Rome, The Templum Iovus Optimus Maximus, also known as the Capitoline Temple of Jupiter. The temple honors the Capitoline Triad of deities; Jupiter, called "dies pater" or Shining Father, his wife Juno, Queen of the Gods and daughter Minnerva, Goddess of Wisdom. The Temple was famous around the Roman world and was copied in provinces as far away as Britannia and Africa. The Mons Capitolinus is truly the spiritual heart of the mighty Res Publica. \n\n The temple foundation is said to have been initiated by the fifth King of Rome, Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, but later completed by Rome's last Tarquin King, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus. The Temple of Jupiter was completed in 509 BCE, but then later destroyed by lightning and fire on three different occasions. Each time it was destroyed it was rebuilt in a much grander style of opulence than in its previous existence. The last reconstruction of the temple was completed by the Emperor Domitian in 82 AD. \n\n The Temple of Jupiter was famed for its huge statue of the Best and Greatest himself, considered by many a wonder of the world. The statue of Jupiter was clothed with a tunic adorned with palm branches and Victories (tunica palmata), and a purple toga embroidered with gold (toga picta, palmata), the costume afterwards worn by Roman generals when celebrating a triumph...The entablature was of wood, and on the apex of the pediment was a terra cotta group, Jupiter in a quadriga, by the same Etruscan artist as the statue in the cella. This was replaced in 296 BCE by another, probably of bronze (Liv. x.23.12). There is no doubt that pediment and roof were decorated with terra cotta figures, among them a statue of Summanus 'in fastigio' (perhaps therefore an acroterion), the head of which was broken off by a thunderbolt in 275 BCE . In 193 BCE the aediles M. Aemilius Lepidus and L. Aemilius Paullus placed gilded shields on the pediment (Liv. xxxv.10).\n\n At the Mons Capitolinus' northern most point lies the Arx, the northern peak of the Mons Capitolinus. This northern prominence is the site on which stands the Citadel of Rome and the augur's observation post, the Auguraclum. The Citadel is the mightiest stronghold in all of Rome and has held against numerous enemy assaults for hundreds of years. Since its early inception the Mons Capitolinus has been the preeminent seat of the municipal government and the unchallenged symbol of Roman authority. Above the Roman Forum on the southeastern side of the hill is the Tabularium in which is maintained the bureaucratic offices of the state and all official records of Rome. \n\n The infamous Tarpeian Rock, a traditional place of execution, lies just below the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus to the south and many a condemned criminal has been thrown to their death on the rocks below. The Tarpeian Rock receives its name from Tarpeia, the traitorous vestal virgin and daughter of Spurius Tarpeius, Commanding General under Romulus at the Citadel. Ancient legend tells of Tarpeia's treachery. She allowed the Sabine forces inside the walls in exchange for whatever they had on their arms, hoping for gold bracelets and other items of value. As the Sabine entered into the fortifications they crushed her with their shields, which were in fact on their left arm. Her ashes were scattered on the Tarpeian Rock which now bears her name.\n\nSTRATEGY: Public order bonus due to loyalty: 10% (Romani only)\n Morale bonus to troops trained here: +2 (Romani only)
{oneone_roman_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the Capitoline Hill and Temple of Jupiter

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{onetwo} onetwo
{onetwo_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{onetwo_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{onetwo_greek} Delphinion (Oracle of Apollo at Delphi)
{onetwo_greek_desc}
This was the literal and spiritual center of the earth to the Greeks. The Sanctuary of Apollo and the Oracle of Apollo located beneath the Temple drew common men and kings from nearby and distant lands seeking Apollo's advice. The grateful worshippers continually made dedications honoring him along the slopes of the mountain shrine, which was gloriously adorned with golden trophies and spoils of war. The sayings of the Seven Sages were written on the Temple of Apollo itself and were even carried to the ends of the known Greek world. The chief political event that determined the evolution of the sanctuary at Delphi in the Hellenistic period was the gradual dependence on Aitolia and its allies. Only seven years earlier, in 279, the Celts invaded and it was the Aitolians who successfully defended the god's sanctuary. After the invasion, Delphi has begun one of the most prosperous and influential eras in its history.
{onetwo_greek_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the Temple of Delphian Apollo. This was the literal and spiritual center of the earth to the Greeks.

{onetwo_egyptian} To Hieron en tois Hierosolymois (The Holy Temple in Hierosolyma)
{onetwo_egyptian_desc}
HaBait HaQados ("The Holy House") to the Hebrews\n\nThe Hebrew peoples are first mentioned in the 15th C BC by Amenhotep II, Pharoah of Aigyptos; and in the 13th C BC we are told that Pharoah Marniptah, pillaged the Jewish kingdom of Israel in Canaan.\n\nThe people of this kingdom were alleged to have adhered fervently to a monotheistic religion that was inseparable with their cultural and ethnic identity. They had long venerated a sacred site (Mount Moriah / 'Temple Mount') in Jebus (Jerusalem) but it wasn't until the 10th C BC that their king, Solomon built their first permanent temple to their god Yhwh on the spot.\n\nThis temple was however sacked a few decades later by Sheshonk I, Pharoah of Aigyptos.\n\nThe temple wasn't fully restored until 835 BC when Joash, King of Judah invested considerable sums, only to have it stripped again for Sennacherib, King of Assyria in 716 BC.\n\nJosiah, King of Judah had restored the temple again in 640 BC when in 586 BC Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon completely destroyed it, the city of Jerusalem and carried a large portion of the population off into exile.\n\nWith the fall of the Babylonian Empire in 539 BC, Cyrus the Great of Persia allowed the Jewish refugees to return home and commissioned the rebuilding of the temple. On March 12th, 515 BC the Jewish Governor Zerubbabel dedicated the new temple. Whilst the temple wasn't as extravagant as its predecessor, nor as monumental as its successor, it still nonetheless presented an imposing structure on the skyline of Jerusalem.\n\nThe temple narrowly avoided being destroyed again in 332 BC when the Jews refused to acknowledge the deification of Alexander the Great of Macedonia. Alexander was allegedly “turned from his anger” at the last minute by astute diplomacy and flattery. After the death of Alexander June 13, 323 BCE and the dismembering of his empire, the Ptolemies came to rule over Judea and the Temple.\n\nUnder the Ptolemies, the Jews were given great liberty to maintain their religion and culture. When the Ptolemies were defeated at the Battle of Panium by Antiochus III 'the Great' of the Seleucids in 198 BC, things began to change.\n\nAntiochus who now controlled Judea tried to Hellenise the Jews and when he attempted to introduce Greek gods into the Jewish temple a large rebellion ensued. The rebellion was brutally crushed, but he took no further action. When Antiochus died in 187 BC in battle at Luristan, his son Seleucus IV Philopator succeeded him only to be murdered in 175 BC.\n\nAntiochus IV Epiphanes succeeded his older brother to the Seleucid throne and imediately adopted his father's previous policy of Hellenisation. The Jews rebelled yet again and Antiochus in a rage, retaliated in force with little discresion shown between the guilty and innocent. Already smarting, the Jews became incensed when the religious observance of the Sabbath and Circumcision were outlawed. When Antiochus erected a statue of Zues in their temple and began sacrificing pigs their anger was pallable. They believed that this attack on the temple, the symbol of Jewish identity and faith was an attack on their very existence.\n\nWhen a Greek official tried to force a Jewish priest (Mattathias) to make a sacrifice to a Greek god in the temple, the priest slew him. Predictably, Antiochus resorted to the same bloody reprisals, but this only fomented further unrest. In 167 BC the Jews rose up en masse behind Mattathias and his five sons to fight and win their freedom. Mattathias, now called “The Hammer” re-dedicated the temple in 165 BC and the Jews celebrate this event to this day as 'Hanukkah'\n\nIn 63 BC, the Jews were divided in a bitter civil war. Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus / Pompey the Great of Rome saw an opportunity not to be missed and took the side of Hyrcanus and the Pharisees. The later admitted he and his army into Jerusalem. Once inside, Pompey took action as he saw fit and began assaulting the Temple (against Jewish wishes) where the other party / Aristobulus and the Sadducees, had taken refuge. Jewish troops, Pharisees and Sadducees alike (12,000), then banded together and fought a desperate last minute defence of their temple. When it became apparent that the fight was lost, the survivors all committed suicide together rather than witness the “defilement” of their sacred place. Pompey having received the submission of the Jewish leaders looted the city and departed for Rome.\n\nIn 54 BC Marcus Licinius Crassus of Rome sacked the Jewish Temple. When news of Crassus' death at the Battle of Carrhae (53 BC) reached Judea, the Jews claimed back their independence. After a brutal Roman campaign in 43 BC, the Jews were defeated and 30,000 sold into slavery.\n\nThe Jewish temple was to receive its last and most spectacular upgrade under King Herod Antipater “The Great” of Judea in 19 BC. The new temple was a colossal building that was said to have struck awe in travellers from all over the known world. Since 36 BC, Herod (not a Jew himself) was having problems with anti-Greeco-Roman sentiment amongst his Jewish subjects and believed the upgrading / rebuilding of the then standing temple would greatly relieve some of the tension. But in 6 BC he further alienated himself by allowing the Romans, on whom he had become dependant, to set their military standards in the temple.\n\nWhen Herod Antipater died in 4 AD and his son Herod Archelaus took the thrown, the country was on the brink of rebellion. When two popular religious teachers (Judas and Matthias) tried to remove the Roman standards, Herod Archelaus had the two burnt at the stake. As soon as Herod Archelaus departed for Rome to have his crown 'legitimsied', the Jews rebelled. The Romans had to dispatch Publius Quinctilius Varus and a large Roman army to wrest control back. Two thousand Jewish leaders were said to have been crucified. Herod Archelaus decided to personally take revenge on his return and after another large rebellion led by Judas the Galilean, Herod Archelaus was exiled by Rome and Judea became a Roman province. But the trouble didn't abate when in 11 AD a large number of Jews under Judas of Gamala revolted and were only put down after several years of hard fighting.\n\nThe Jews were again angered when in 39 AD when Emperor Caligula declared himself a god and ordered that his statue be set up in the Jewish Temple. In 45 AD the Jews were further roused when the Roman Procurator Gessius Florus pillaged the temple treasury and extorted the Jewish people for personal gain. When Hellenists marched into a synague in Caesarea in 66 AD to slay a pig whilst the local Greek speaking Roman garrison looked on, the Jews retaliated en masse. Eliezar ben Hanania ceased prayers and sacrifices for the Roman Emperor at the temple in Jerusalem. Having then gathered a large force of Jews he subsequently led a successful attack on the Roman garrison stationed in the city. When the 12th Legion was sent to put down the riot, they were massacred.\n\nThe riot soon turned into a full scale war for freedom from foreign power. The war (66–73 AD) only ended when a huge Roman force under Titus stormed Jerusalem and destroyed the Jewish temple on August 5th 70 AD. 100,000 Jews died in the assault, 100,000 were sold into slavery and 2,500 used to feed the wild animals in the coloseum. In total, the war had cost 1.3 million Jewish lives but it had cost the Romans as well. To celebtrate this great victory, coins were struct and an arch erected depicting the temple treasures being paraded through Rome.\n\nThe destruction of the temple sparked another Jewish war of independance, the 'Kitos War' (115-117 AD). Emperor Hadrian visited Jerusalem in 130 AD and announced a new pagan temple to Jupiter was to be built on the temple site and in 132 AD Jerusalem was renamed Aelia Capitolina, and circumcision was outlawed. These actions incited the Jews to launched their third and final attempt to gain independence from Rome. The Bar Kokhba's revolt (132-135 AD) was a bloody / rutheless afair and the Romans were forced to commit more troops than they had under Titus. So costly was the campaign that the Roman generals' report to the Roman Senate omitted the customary statement "I and my army are well." This third war had cost the Jews 985 villages and 50 fortified towns being razed to the ground with a further 580,000 killed.\n\nEmperor Hadrian hence forth attempted to remove all trace of the Jews, their religion and presence. Jews were forbidden to enter Aelia Capitolina (Jerusalem), Jewish religious texts (Torah) and Calendars were outlawed and relgious scholars put to death. A statue of himself was set up aside that of Jupiter on the site of the temple and Judea was renamed Syria Palaestina as an insulting reminder of the anicent Jewish enemies, the Philistines. With the passing of Hadrian, the Jews were allowed to enter the city once a year to mourn the destrutcion of the temple (at what was later to be called the 'Wailing Wall'). This is the Jewish 'Tisha B'Av' day of mourning.
{onetwo_egyptian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at of the great Hebrew temple.

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{onethree} onethree
{onethree_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{onethree_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{onethree_egyptian} Philai, Edfu, Abu Simbel
{onethree_egyptian_desc}
The ancient Aigyptioi thought the sacred hill of Biga to be the first mound created out of Chaos, as well as the burial place of Osiris. The earth was so hallowed that only priests and temple servants lived there. The island of Philai located beside Biga was dedicated to Isis, who became immensely popular with the Romaoi and the Ptolemaioi during the Hellenistic period.\n\nThe nearby Temple of Horus at Edfu was the second largest of all Aigyptian temples (and was the best preserved). The monumental temples of Ammon Re and Hathor at Abu Simbel were cut from rock along the Nile, and were some of the most famous temples in the ancient world.
{onethree_egyptian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the ancient Aigyptian sites of Philai, Edfu, and Abu Simbel.

{onethree_greek} Eikon tou Dios (The Statue of Zeus)
{onethree_greek_desc}
One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the chryselephantine statue of Zeus was the only wonder on the mainland of Hellas. The great temple, one of the largest in all the Hellenic world, was built by the architect Libon in 450 BC. The Athenian sculptor Pheidias was given the task of creating a statue fitting for sanctuary in which it would be housed. He began work in 440 BC and used a wooden base to create the statue, upon which sheets of metal were placed. Then more precious metals and ivory were layered on top of those. When he completed it, it quickly became the focal point of the sanctuary and the most famous statue in the known world. Visitors from across Hellas and the rest of the Mediterranean came every year to see the statue. Repairs were made to it in the second century BC.\n\nBy the first century AD, the Roman emperor Caligula tried to move the statue to Roma, but his attempt was thwarted when the scaffolding built by his workmen collapsed. The temple still served as an important attraction, though not as important as the games and sanctuary were in the Classical and Hellenistic periods, up until the sanctuary and temple were closed in 391 AD by the Roman emperor Theodosius I. The statue was moved by wealthy Hellenes to Byzantion after the temple closed, and the temple was damaged by fire in the fifth century. It remained in Byzantion until it was destroyed by a fire also later in the fifth century.\n\nStrabo's words describing the statue were thus: "...although the temple itself is very large, the sculptor is criticized for not having appreciated the correct proportions. He has shown Zeus seated, but with the head almost touching the ceiling, so that we have the impression that if Zeus moved to stand up he would unroof the temple." Pausanias described it in the second century AD thusly: "On his head is a sculpted wreath of olive sprays. In his right hand he holds a figure of Victory made from ivory and gold... In his left hand, he holds a sceptre inlaid with every kind of metal, with an eagle perched on the sceptre. His sandals are made of gold, as is his robe. His garments are carved with animals and with lilies. The throne is decorated with gold, precious stones, ebony, and ivory."
{onethree_greek_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the Temple of Zeus at Olympia and the great statue of Zeus inside it.

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{onefour} onefour
{onefour_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{onefour_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{onefour_greek} Dodone (Oracle of Zeus Dodonaios)
{onefour_greek_desc}
"Wintry Dodone," the home to the most ancient oracle in all of Hellas. It was always regarded as one of the three greatest oracles in the Hellenic world, along with Delphi and that of Zeus Ammon at Siwa. Zeus was said to dwell in the stem of a massive oak, into whose hollow a statue of the god was placed. He revealed his divine will from the rustling of the wind in the branches of the tree, which sounds the priests then interpreted. Under the Epeirote kingdom, Dodone arose again in importance, and Pyrrhos contributed greatley to the adornment of the site. The great oak itself was often depicted as one of their chief symbols. The Aitolians ravaged the area and razed to the ground the temple of the god. It was later revived but had losts its greatest importance by then.
{onefour_greek_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the Oracle of Zeus at Dodone, one of the three most famous in the entire Hellenic world.

{onefour_egyptian} Megas Naos Persikos Anaitidos (Great Persian Temple of Anahita)
{onefour_egyptian_desc}
The famous city of Ekbatana was described by Polybius as the richest and most beautiful city in the entire world. Megas Alexandros may have destroyed part of the famous temple of Anahita there after his close friend Hephaistion died at Ekbatana, but during the reign of the Seleukid empire, the temple was still standing. In this period Ekbatana was one of the capitals of the Seleukid empire, and remained one of the most important cities under their control, and it further remained one of the imperial capitals of the Parthians.\n\nAlexander was reported by Polybius to have looted much of the gold and silver decoration of the palace there, and Polybius also says Alexander had the walls of one temple at Ekbatana pulled down after his friend Hephaistion died there in 324 BC, but if it was the temple of Anahita it must not have been as damaging as his comments suggest as later references show it was still standing and richly decorated. The palace itself at Ekbatana was very famous and Hyginus names it as one of the Seven Wonders of the World in his list. When Seleukos I Nikator took the city he also plundered much of its silver and gold, but Pliny states that Seleukos also did much to restore the city's glory. By the time of Antiochos III, the great temple of Anahita is described by Polybius as still having its gilded pillars and silver tiles from the roof stored inside, along with a few gold bricks and many silver ones. In 209 BC, Antiochos III looted these materials and minted royal coinage of nearly 4,000 talents to revitalize his treasury.
{onefour_egyptian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the great temple of Anahita at Ekbatana!

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{onefive} onefive
{onefive_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{onefive_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{onefive_egyptian} Parsa (Persepolis)
{onefive_egyptian_desc}
The seat of the Persian Empire. Darius was the true creator of the splendid palace complex at Parsa. The large audience hall, the Apadana, was supported by seventy-two twenty-five meter tall columns. It, along with the Hall of a Hundred Columns, were the two largest buildings at Persepolis and were among the most famous of all buildings in the ancient world. The Gate of All Nations was a monumental gateway constructed by Xerxes, and palaces too numerous to count here decorated various parts of the complex. In 330, Alexander destroyed the Palace after looting it, though he later regreted the act. But the complex was too large to destroy entirely. Many buildings still partially stood and were still visited by travelers and scholars. The new capital for Persis was eventually built nearby, but the remains of the old one were a marvel that was due reverence and visited by sightseers for the next two thousand years.
{onefive_egyptian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the seat of the Persian Empire, partially destroyed by Alexandros, but still a marvel with much cultural importance and visited by travelers and scholars.


{onefive_greek} Mausoleion Halikarnassou (Mausoleion of Halikarnassos)
{onefive_greek_desc}
As their realms expanded, Persian emperors could not control their vast lands without the help of local governors known as satraps. One of these satraps was King Mausolos of Karia. Although he led an uneventful life, his sister-wife constructed one the most beautiful buildings of the ancient world as his tomb.\n\nThe Mausoleion's beauty lay not only in its design, but also in its many decorations. Life-sized as well as larger-than-life statues of people, lions, horses, and other animals carved by the great Hellene sculptors Bryaxis, Leochares, Skopas, and Timotheus, adorned the sides of the tomb. The Mausoleion holds a special place in history because it was not dedicated to any specific god yet it attracted visitors from all over the world for centuries.\n\nSTRATEGY: Morale bonus to troops trained here: +1 (Hellenic only)
{onefive_greek_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the tomb of Mausolos, one of the most richly decorated buildings of antiquity.

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{onesix} onesix
{onesix_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{onesix_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{onesix_barbarian} Teamhaidh Cnocinhaofan (Holy Hill of Tara)
{onesix_barbarian_desc}
The holy hill of Teamhaidh is actually not just a single hill, it's a series of smaller temple structures, as well as training structures, dormitories for soldiers, priests, and various servants. An ironsmith that produced weapons and jewelry for higher nobility and religious leaders was also located at the site. Both native Goidils and foreign Celts made pilgrimages to the holy site. Teamhaidh was a main site of the Goidils for centuries and eventually an important city was constructed near it to defend the site.\n\nIn later periods, the king of Ulster, Meath, and the High Kings were all coronated at Teamhaidh. The site was still an important religious site in Christian times, when several Christian crosses were arrayed around the grounds. Teamhaidh was eventually renamed Tara by the Vikings (a bastardization of its ancient name, Teamhair).
{onesix_barbarian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the Holy Hill of Tara.

{onesix_egyptian} Heliopolis (The Sacred City of Helios)
{onesix_egyptian_desc}
(Known today as Baalbek) - Ba'al Hammon, Helios, and Ra were worshipped by Phoenicians, Hellenes, and Aigyptioi at this magnificent temple complex at a place called Heliopolis, the City of the Sun. Its massive edifice and lofty colonnades soared beneath the scorching Syrian sun to honor the great god of the sky.n\nPhoenician rulers, and later the Seleukid and Ptolemaic kings, expanded the complex with massive buildings carved with reliefs in honor of these magnificent deities. Bulls were sacrificed on the many altars found throughout the complex by Phoenician and Hellenic priests.
{onesix_egyptian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the great Temple City of Helios.

{onesix_greek} Aigai (Makedonian Royal Tombs)
{onesix_greek_desc}
An important regional city from the early Bronze Age, Aigai was the home of the first Makedonian royal palaces and the capital of the early Makedonian Kingdom. The ancient city was the burial site for Makedonian kings including Philippos II and Alexandros IV and it became the most important historical and ceremonial site to the people of Makedonia.\n\nIn 274 BC, King Pyrrhos of Epeiros left a band of Gaulish mercenaries in charge of the site and they pillaged some of the tombs. Luckily, what is considered the most important tomb, that of Philippos II, was left unharmed. Pyrrhos received a great deal of criticism from across the Hellenic world for his actions, and the recovery of the site by the true Makedonian kings gave a greater sense of pride and morale to the loyal Makedones.
{onesix_greek_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction of the tombs of the kings of Makedonia that are located at Aigai, which was the ancient capital of the Makedones.

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{oneseven} oneseven
{oneseven_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{oneseven_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{oneseven_barbarian} Kogaionon (The Sacred Mountain)
{oneseven_barbarian_desc}
The sacred mountain of the ancient Getai, Kogaionon, was the most important and symbolic site in all the lands over which their reach spread. It was the spiritual center of the Getai state, and was probably located on Gradistea's Hill, identified by Strabo as Kogaionon ("The Sacred Mountain"). One of the most important figures in Getai religion and mythology was Zalmoxis, about whom there were numerous stories. One detailed how Zalmoxis, as a prophet, brought a message to the Getai about the afterlife and became their high priest. He went to Kogaionon and lived there, serving as high priest while on the sacred mountain. People would come from throughout Getai lands to seek out his advice, and he was by far the most important religious figure in their culture. After his death, he became worshipped as a god among the Dacians, to a large extent replacing their chief god Gebeleizis, who represented the sky. The polytheism of the Getai included other dieties as well, including Bendis, Gebeleizis, as well as a god of war as Ares was to the Hellenes.\n\nThough the mountain was not always covered with shrines and sanctuaries and military structures, many of those did develop in later centuries but before the Roman conquest. It especially was affected in the first century BC, when defensive structures and sanctuaries were built, most of all under Burebista, and exhibiting a uniquely Getic fusion of local and classical architectural techniques. Burebista (82-44 BC) was the first king to unite all the Dacian tribes and extended the Getai kingdom from the Northern Carpathians to the Haimos Mountains, and from the Middle Istros and Slovakia to the Hellenic colonies on the Pontos Euxeinos, with the help of the High Priest Deceneu. The priest emphasized sobriety, abstinence, and obedience of the Getai, all of which Diodoros Sikilios reports that Zalmoxis inherited from Hestia, the protective goddess of fire and the home. Under Burebista and Deceneu's great spiritual authority and leadership, the sacred precincts on Gradistea's Hill were permanently enriched with new sanctuaries such as the Great Circular Sanctuary, which shows that the Getai had a science of time measuring similar to Aigyptioi, Babylonioi, Indoi, and Hellenes.\n\nThe lands around the sacred mountain, felt more secure and loyal under its shadow, and the fortresses and sanctuaries that grew up on its slopes, besides providing defensive protection, also provided training grounds and inspirational centers for all Getai troops trained there.
{oneseven_barbarian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the most sacred mountain of the ancient Getai.

{oneseven_egyptian} Nekropolis Thebaie (The Theban Nekropolis)
{oneseven_egyptian_desc}
Developed heavily around 2,000 BC, Thebes had many glorious monuments erected during the 16th to 14th centuries as well, eras which saw the city as the capital of an empire from the Euphrates to the Sudan. The ruins of Karnak and Luxor encompass some of the most fascinating monuments of antiquity, with the Hypostyle Hall of Karnak, the temple of Akmenophis at Luxor and its dromos of the Sphinxes, and the tombs of the Valley of the Kings all holy and important sites to the Aigyptioi and to travelers from across the ancient world. Control of these sites and the proper respect due to them yields benefits, especially to the Ptolemies who continued Alexander's practice of presenting himself as the liberator of Aigyptos from the Persians.
{oneseven_egyptian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the Theban Nekropolis, a collection of glorious monuments from the 16th to 14th centuries B.C.

{oneseven_greek} Rhodios Kolossos (Kolossos of Rhodos)
{oneseven_greek_desc}
The thriving commercial city of Rhodos, located on a small island in the Mediterranean that bears the same name, had strong economic ties with the Ptolemaios Soter of Aigyptos. In 305 BC, the Antigonids of Makedonia, rivals of the Ptolemaioi, besieged Rhodos in an attempt to break the alliance of Rhodos and Ptolemaios. Antigonids failed to capture the city and lifted the siege, leaving a wealth of military equipment behind. To celebrate their victory, the Rhodians sold the equipment and used the money to erect an enormous statue of the sun god Helios. The construction of the Kolossos took 12 years and was finished in 282 BC. The statue stood at the harbor entrance for years until it collapsed during an earthquake that hit the island in 226 BC. The Rhodians received an immediate offer from Ptolemaios III Eurgetes of Aigyptos to cover all restoration costs for the toppled monument. However, an oracle was consulted and forbade the re-erection and its ruins remained where they were.
{oneseven_greek_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction of the famed statue of Helios.

{oneseven_eastern} Basileioi Taphoi Pontou (Royal Tombs of the Kings of Pontos)
{oneseven_eastern_desc}
Strabo (12.3.39) says that "within the walls of the city (on the peaks of the hills above it) are both the palaces and monuments of the kings." The tombs, freestanding heroa, carved out of the living rock, in total number eighteen and are all from the Hellenistic period, but the five biggest ones above the city date to the earlier Pontic kings. The tombs are surrounded by a royal enclosure wall and are carved into the artificially flattened rock face of the mountain which towers above the city and the river. The arrangement and commanding view was very impressive for their capital city and remain the best known monuments in the region even today.\n\nThe monuments continual presence, looking down upon the city, provide a sense of worth and security for the residents of Amaseia and Pontic soldiers stationed in the capital city receive a slight boost in their morale, as none, while breath remained in them, would dare capitulate to an enemy under the sight of the tombs.
{oneseven_eastern_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the burial places of the kings of Pontos in their first capital city of Amaseia.

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{oneeight} oneeight
{oneeight_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{oneeight_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{oneeight_egyptian} Kedroi Phoinikikai (Cedars of Lebanon)
{oneeight_egyptian_desc}
The Cedrus Libani were the most famous trees of the ancient world. Their timbers were intensely sought for the construction of palaces, temples, and the largest of boats. These trees were a primary factor for the rise of Phoenician power and prosperity and, in later days, a cause for war between the Ptolemaioi and Seleukeia. The trees were part of many ancient legends: they held an important role in the Epic of Gilgamesh and King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon once boasted that he had cut some down with his bare hands.\n\nSTRATEGY: Trade bonus, Construction cost bonus.
{oneeight_egyptian_desc_short}
You have stopped destruction of the Cedars of Lebanon, and done what you can to remedy the problem.

{oneeight_eastern} Van (Great Citadel and City of Van)
{oneeight_eastern_desc}
'This is the inscription of Sarduri, son of Lutipri, the great king. King of the world, King of Nairi, the mightiest of all kings. This great captain who knows not fear and whose might subdues all rebels. Sarduri, son of Lutipri, King of Kings, to whom all kings pay tribute; Sarduri speaks: These rocks from Alnium I brought; with them this tower of Tushpa I raised.'\n\nTushpa or Van has it was later called, that great citadel and city, cradled between the deep, life-giving waters of Lake Van and the magnificent arms of the Armenian mountains, the old capital of the ancient Armenian kingdom of Urartu, whose power was so great that at its zenith it brought the Assyrian Empire to its knees. Chosen by Sarduri I, King of Urartu, for its strategic position away from the barbarians beyond the Caucasus mountains, and its place at the heart of the Vannic region (known as Shupria and then Sophene), Van was for centuries the military and commercial centre of Urartu and its power and influence stretched (at its height) from the length of the Kura river to the lands of Media and even Syria herself.\n\nLike many other towns in Urartu, the city of Van was centred around a citadel or acropolis, placed upon the summit of a hill with its walls rising sheer from the steep slopes. In many cases the dwellings were carved into the cliff faces, though in the larger settlements there is evidence of a lower town built in the shadow and influence of the central citadel; Tuspha herself could support a population of some 50,000, and undoubtedly the lower town would have been quite extensive. Around Lake Van the most common stones are basalt and limestone, and these were carved into massive blocks and set without mortar for the palaces and castles of this region (often in conjunction with unbaked clay bricks at the height of the walls).\n\nTushpa's fortuitous position in later years made it an important capital in the Achaemenid Empire. The 13th Satrapy of Armenia (Western Armenia) was centred in Shupria and undoubtedly it was Van that stood at the centre of this powerful region of the Persian Empire. Over time the centre of power shifted from Van to the old Urartian fortress-city of Argishti-hinili, by then known as Armavir, and by the time of Yervand II, of the house of the Yervanduni, it was the capital of the kingdom of Hayasdan. However, even with the movement of the capital from the shores of Lake Van to the country north of Mount Ararat, Van must have still held some importance in Hayasdan as it was the largest city to the south, and so would have been the centre of all trade to the south and most probably to to the west as well, as the Royal Persian Road ran close to Lake Van on its way from Anatolia to the centre of the Persian Empire.
{oneeight_eastern_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the great citadel and city of Van and restored them to their former glory.

{oneeight_carthaginian} HaMiqdasim HaAgrigentim (Agrigento Temples)
{oneeight_carthaginian_desc}
Along a long rocky scarp, chosen as the southern limit of the town of Akragas, and nestling in the area to the south of it, are a series of temples to hellenic Gods: Hera (Juno) Lacinia, Concordia, Heracles (Hercules), Olympian Zeus (Jupiter), Castor and Pollux (Dioscuri) and Hephaistos (Vulcan), erected in the course of a century (5C BC), as if to testify to the prosperity of the city at that time. Having been set ablaze by the Qarthadastim in 406 BC, the buildings were later restored to full glory by the Romans (1C BC) respecting their original Doric style. By 272 BC, however, most of them still lay in ruin, waiting for better days.\n\nAll the buildings face east, respecting the Classical criterion (both Greek and Roman) that the entrance to the cella (Holy of Holies) where the statue of the god was housed could be illuminated by the rays of the rising sun, the source and blood of life.\n\nOn the whole, the temples are Doric and conform to the hexastyle format (that is with six columns at the front), the exception being the Temple of Zeus, which had seven engaged columns articulating the wall that encloses the building. Built of limestone tufa, the temples provide a particularly impressive sight at dawn, and even more so at sunset when they are turned a warm shade of gold.
{oneeight_carthaginian_desc_short}
You have repaired the damage and restored to glory the great temples at Agrigentum.

{oneeight_greek} (Temple Complex of Asklepios and Hygeia)
{oneeight_greek_desc}
For years, the destruction caused by the conflicts between the Persians and the Ionians and their mainland brethren in Hellas proper caused the migration of shiploads of dislocated or endangered Hellenes to the West. One of the most famous of these groups hailed from Phocaea, where rather then submit to Persian rule, most citizens elected to flee to their colonies in the West - chiefly Massilia (founded not too long before, among the Keltoi, along the Tyrrhenian Sea), greatly swelling the cities population. From there, other colonists went out to seek wealth or refuge at the Massilian trading colonies in nearby Iberia: Emporion, Mainake and Rhode. Though founded to promote commerce, each prospered as dependencies of Massilia or their own autonomous poleis, and probably entered their first periods of growth after receiving this infusion of refugees from Phocaea. That all three cities maintained positive relationships with the natives around them was appropriate, considering their metropolis' (mother-cities) metropolis, Phocaea's ancient relationship with the Iberians - Arganthonius, a local king, is said to have donated a huge sum of money for the city to build its first wall - who the former are said to have discovered for Hellas. Among them, Emporion eventually became the chief, especially after an influx of more refugees from Mainake, which was destroyed by the Qarthadastim.\n\nIn the agora of Emporion, many of the traditions of its ancient progenitor in Ionia were maintained or reproduced. Beyond the local achievements in exploration and enterprising efforts to form new trading relationships (Emporion later founded its own colony farther down the Eastern coast of Iberia), the city erected a series of structures dedicated to Asklepios and his daughter Hygeia, with a magnificent statue of the former becoming the most famous physical ornament of Hellenism in the far West. From these sanctuaries, most of Hellenic Iberia took its cues, and the cults of Asklepios and Hygeia were adopted not only in the other colonies of Iberia, but in the budding Hellenistic cities that had begun to grow up around them. Though the old magistrates may not hold complete authority in Emporion any longer, the great statue of Asklepios and the temples he shares with Hygeia, will always be the culture center of local Hellenes.
{oneeight_greek_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the Temple Complex of Asklepios and Hygeia.

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¬----HINTERLAND_UNIQUES2----
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{uniques2_name} Unique Buildings

{uniqueroad1} None
{uniqueroad1_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{uniqueroad1_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{uniqueroad1_eastern} Râh-e Abrisham (The Silk Road)
{uniqueroad1_eastern_desc}
The Râh-e Abrisham was a vital source of income for many Eastern peoples. Persia and other empires gained exotic treasures and riches from China via the Râh-e Abrisham. Silk, one of the most valuable goods traded on the road, is a wonderful clothing material because, in addition to being attractive and expensive, it is also tough an durable. Silk was not the only commodity that was imported from the eastern end of the road. The exchange of amber, gold, ivory, and exotic animals and plants all brought wealth and prestige to the rulers of the nations that controlled the trade route.
{uniqueroad1_eastern_desc_short}
{uniqueroad1_eastern_desc_short}
No description required here.

{uniqueroad1_nomad} Râh-e Abrisham (The Silk Road)
{uniqueroad1_nomad_desc}
The Râh-e Abrisham was a vital source of income for many Eastern peoples. Persia and other empires gained exotic treasures and riches from China via the Râh-e Abrisham. Silk, one of the most valuable goods traded on the road, is a wonderful clothing material because, in addition to being attractive and expensive, it is also tough an durable. Silk was not the only commodity that was imported from the eastern end of the road. The exchange of amber, gold, ivory, and exotic animals and plants all brought wealth and prestige to the rulers of the nations that controlled the trade route.
{uniqueroad1_eastern_desc_short}
{uniqueroad1_nomad_desc_short}
No description required here.

{uniqueroad1_egyptian} Keleuthos Bombykike (The Silk Road)
{uniqueroad1_egyptian_desc}
The Keleuthos Bombykike was a vital source of income for many Eastern peoples. Persia and other empires gained exotic treasures and riches from China via the Keleuthos Bombykike. Silk, one of the most valuable goods traded on the road, is a wonderful clothing material because, in addition to being attractive and expensive, it is also tough an durable. Silk was not the only commodity that was imported from the eastern end of the road. The exchange of amber, gold, ivory, and exotic animals and plants all brought wealth and prestige to the rulers of the nations that controlled the trade route.
{uniqueroad1_egyptian_desc_short}
No description required here.

{uniqueroad1_roman} Avernvs Lacvs (Lake Avernus)
{uniqueroad1_roman_desc}
Avernus Lacus - A long extinct volcano in Campania, between Cumae and the Gulf of Baiae, is the home of one of the most unique and forboding sites in Italy. Lake Avernus fills the crater of the volcano, whose cliffs rise around it in a steep ring and cover its edges with dark and gloomy woods. It was here that the Greeks thought Odysseus had put ashore when he visited the underworld. It was also believed that noxious vapors rose from the lake and killed any creatures approaching it. The vapors were so strong that birds were also thought to suffocate as they flew over it, and it is from this belief that the Greek name of the site, Aornos ("no birds"), was thought to have risen.\n\nIt is exceedingly deep, and the Romans believed it was unfathomable, but there were outlets cut to allow ships to pass from the interior of the crater to Lake Lucrine and to the Gulf of Baiae as well.\n\nThe oracle associated with the lake from its earliest days is linked to the myths surrounding Odysseus' voyage.
{uniqueroad1_roman_desc_short}
No description required here.

{uniqueroad1_carthaginian} HaMigdalim Sel Herqal (Pillars of Herakles)
{uniqueroad1_carthaginian_desc}
At the end of the world in the west, the Pillars of Herakles stand. According to the Greeks they once were the giant Atlas, who the hero Perseus turned into a mountain by showing him the decapitated head of Medusa.\n\nLater, when Herakles had to perform the twelve labours, one of them was to fetch the Cattle of Geryon and bring it to Eurystheus. On his way to the island of Erytheia he had to cross the mountain that was once Atlas. Herakles wished not to climb the mountain so he split it in half with his mace instead. The chasm that was created went so deep that the oceans west and east of Atlas flowed into eachother and the Pillars were created.\n\nThe Pillars is the only sea route into the Mediterranean from the Great Western Ocean and since the time of Troy ships from Hellas have sailed to the distant Isles of Tin to the far north. The merchant ships still sail between the Pillars and the flow of trade will enrich anyone who controls them.
{uniqueroad1_carthaginian_desc_short}
No description required here.

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{uniqueroad2} None
{uniqueroad2_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{uniqueroad2_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{uniqueroad2_greek} Chrysokeros (The Golden Horn)
{uniqueroad2_greek_desc}
The Golden Horn\n\nWith the Sea of Marmara, the Golden Horn forms a peninsula with a deep natural harbour perfect for controlling the large numbers of trading vessels there for commerce. On this site, ancient Greeks were the original colonists of the area, founding the city of Byzantion, a great trading center which thrived for millenia. This strategic location was coveted but many cultures throughout the ages.
{uniqueroad2_greek_desc_short}
No description required here.

{uniqueroad2_egyptian} Ochetos Arabikos (Nile-Red Sea Canal)
{uniqueroad2_egyptian_desc}
After various early attempts to provide a waterway between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, Darius I, the Great Persian King, in about 520 completed and rendered partially navigable the channel, whose earlier path had become blocked. Vessels came down the Pelusaic branch (the easternmost one) and turned up the new canal towards the "Bitter Lakes", though there were still problems and the channels could only be navigated in times of flood. But in about 270, Ptolemy Philadelphus made the canal completely navigable by completing the channel through from the Bitter Lakes to the Red Sea. It became a major traffic artery for centuries and did much to encourage trade.
{uniqueroad2_egyptian_desc_short}
No description required here.

{uniqueroad2_barbarian} Mōristoigāz (Marshland Footbridges)
{uniqueroad2_barbarian_desc}
Mōri-stoiġāz\n(MŌ-ri-STOI-ghāz, "Moor-Paths")\n\nBefore the sixth century BC, the peoples living around the northern moors began to develop ways to better construct roadways through the bogs and their unique surroundings. They first levelled out a bed for the road and on two "rails" spaced a certain distance from each other they placed beams, which ran continuously down the roadbed. The planks that ran between the rails had holes drilled in their ends and were fastened by stakes. The surfaces of the boards were then covered with sod to protect the wood itself and seal it off from the elements. The finished product was a road much smoother than a "washboard" road and able to carry heavy traffic across the moors.\n\nA number of these roads crossed moors in the north and provided a more sound foundation for heavy-traffic roads used for industrial purposes, like the one that crossed the Wittemoor from Hude to a tributary of the river Hunte. This particular road connected deposits of sod-ore and the more than 50 smelters found in the location to the river, where it was shipped elsewhere. Their construction also provides evidence that the peoples who built them were sedentary. Much effort and planning took place to construct these roads, certainly not the work of a migrant populace. These roads were at the heighth of their popularity and frequency of construction in the third century BC, when the Wittemoor road was constructed. The use of the roads by other cultures is unknown but somewhat unlikely, and the benefits which the small altars and shrines that were constantly placed beside the roads provided certainly did not extend to other peoples.
{uniqueroad2_barbarian_desc_short}
No description required here.

{uniqueroad2_carthaginian} HaHar HaQados (The Sacred Mountain)
{uniqueroad2_carthaginian_desc}
Considered a sacred site early to the Egyptians, the goddess Hathor was worshipped on her slopes first, and the Semitic workers who mined it eventually came to hold the mountain as sacred. This is the mountain Muslims associated with the "Mountain of the Law", where God made his covenant with the Hebrews and handed down the Tablets of the Law to Moses. The Christian monestary that eventually was founded on the mountain's slope still enclose within their walls a large plant which they refer to as the Burning Bush by which Moses spoke to his God, as well as housing the most ancient library of any in the Christian world.
{uniqueroad2_carthaginian_desc_short}
No description required here.

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{uniqueroad3} None
{uniqueroad3_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{uniqueroad3_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{uniqueroad3_greek} Diolkos (Isthmos Causeway)
{uniqueroad3_greek_desc}
The diolkos was a roadway paved with stones that stretched from the Aigaion to the Korinthian Sea. Goods were unloaded off boats and transferred by carts to the other side, and then the boats themselves were pulled onto a special platform which was then pulled over the isthmus and down to the other gulf.\n\nBuilt in the sixth century BC, it was used up to the ninth century A.D. The diolkos was approximately 3.5-6 meters wide and had grooves 1.5 meters apart that the platform sat in while being pulled. The time saved by going over the isthmus instead of around allowed the Korinthians to make a good profit for transferring the boats. The seas and capes around the Peloponnese were especially dangerous and many traders were happy to use the diolkos and pay the fee rather than run the risk of losing their ship and wares altogtether.\n\nThe diolkos ensures an increase in income for the city from revenues for their service.
{uniqueroad3_greek_desc_short}
No description required here.

{uniqueroad3_carthaginian} Akroterion Makon (Cape Makai - The Straits of Hormuz)
{uniqueroad3_carthaginian_desc}
The strait of Hormuz is 21 miles wide at its narrowest point. When Alexandros ordered his general Nearchos to sail from India back to the Euphrates, Nearchos recorded the cape thus, "off a barren coast, whence they descried a headland projecting far into the sea ... about a day's sail distant. Persons acquainted with those regions asserted that this cape belonged to Arabia, and was called Maketa, whence cinnamon and other products were exported to the Assyrians."\n\nAlthough the Seleukid kings were interested in and sent expeditions into Arabia, they never established permanent trade routes through the straits.\n\nIt was described in the Periplus of the Erythraian Sea in the 1st century:\n\n"At the upper end of these Calaei islands is a range of mountains called Calon, and there follows not far beyond, the mouth of the Persian Gulf, where there is much diving for the pearl-mussel. To the left of the straits are great mountains called Asabon, and to the right there rises in full view another round and high mountain called Semiramis; between them the passage across the strait is about six hundred stadia; beyond which that very great and broad sea, the Persian Gulf, reaches far into the interior. At the upper end of this Gulf there is a market-town designated by law called Apologus, situated near Charax Spasini and the River Euphrates."
{uniqueroad3_carthaginian_desc_short}
No description required here.

{uniqueroad3_egyptian} Akroterion Hormozon (Cape Hormozoi - Straits of Hormuz)
{uniqueroad3_egyptian_desc}
The strait of Hormuz is 21 miles wide at its narrowest point. When Alexandros ordered his general Nearchos to sail from India back to the Euphrates, Nearchos recorded the cape thus, "off a barren coast, whence they descried a headland projecting far into the sea ... about a day's sail distant. Persons acquainted with those regions asserted that this cape belonged to Arabia, and was called Maketa, whence cinnamon and other products were exported to the Assyrians."\n\nAlthough the Seleukid kings were interested in and sent expeditions into Arabia, they never established permanent trade routes through the straits.\n\nIt was described in the Periplus of the Erythraian Sea in the 1st century:\n\n"At the upper end of these Calaei islands is a range of mountains called Calon, and there follows not far beyond, the mouth of the Persian Gulf, where there is much diving for the pearl-mussel. To the left of the straits are great mountains called Asabon, and to the right there rises in full view another round and high mountain called Semiramis; between them the passage across the strait is about six hundred stadia; beyond which that very great and broad sea, the Persian Gulf, reaches far into the interior. At the upper end of this Gulf there is a market-town designated by law called Apologus, situated near Charax Spasini and the River Euphrates."
{uniqueroad3_egyptian_desc_short}
No description required here.

{uniqueroad3_barbarian} Akroterion Hieron (The Sacred Cape)
{uniqueroad3_barbarian_desc}
Strabo stated that "the Sacred Cape was the most westerly point, not only of Europe but of the whole inhabited world." Although he was wrong about that point, he added that it had been visited before by the geographer Artemidoros and that the surrounding district was called in Latin "Cuneus". Strabo said that you could even hear the noise of the ocean boiling here, when the sun entered the waters to the west each evening. Pliny also mentions the site and had a better understanding of the natural geography of it by his day.\n\nThe cape itself was so holy that there was not even a temple on it, but only a group of stones arranged in the native custom. Visitors to the site, and the knowledge of Strabo and Artemidoros' visit show that there was interest in it from far away, were not allowed there at night as it was considered to be inhabited by the gods. The people who visited spent the night in a neighboring village and went to the site by day, bringing their own water for ritual cleansing and sacrifices, as there was none on the cape itself.
{uniqueroad3_barbarian_desc_short}
No description required here.


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{uniqueroad4} None
{uniqueroad4_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{uniqueroad4_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{uniqueroad4_barbarian} Limios Alsos (The Sacred Grove)
{uniqueroad4_barbarian_desc}
"The Sacred Grove"- The Ślęza - Radunia Complex\n\nThe mountain known today as Ślęża was a holy site for many pagan cultures before advent of Christianity. Because of its unique location as a lonely mountain amidst a vast plain, it was an object of cultic worship since as early as 600 BC. Its two peaks - Ślęża and Radunia - were places of lunar and solar worship for the early native Łużyc (Lusatian) culture. Later sometime around 400 BC, Celts began to settle around the mountain and made it into their religious center there. Called "the Olympus of Silesia" by some, later it would become a center of worship for Germanic tribes also, and eventually too, the West Slavic tribe of the Ślężanie (Silesians), who gave the mountain its current name. There have been reports of neo-paganistic rituals performed atop the mountain as late as the 20th century.\n\nDuring its 6000 year long history of human settlement, most material artifacts were left by unknown Neolithic peoples, including monumental stone sculptures of wild animals, (bear and boar) and humans, as well as stone circles. The later Germanic sanctuary is tentatively identified with the Holy Grove of Limios Alsos, reported by Roman historians.
{uniqueroad4_barbarian_desc_short}
No description required here.

{uniqueroad4_carthaginian} Bab el Mandeb (Red Sea Straits)
{uniqueroad4_carthaginian_desc}
This strait forms the boundary between the Arabikos Kolpos (or the Red Sea) and the main area of the Erythra Thalassa (most of which we now know as the Indian Ocean). It was known by the Hellenes as Deire, the Neck, since on either side of the strait Africa and Arabia come close to one another, and the strait is squeezed between them for several kilometers, creating the appearance of a neck. The Hellenes probably appropriated the name from merchants of the Erythra Thalassa. Herodotos claimed that the straits were crossed by the Egyptian conqueror Sesostris, though modern authorities doubt the Egyptians ever controlled the straits, and debate whether Sesostris existed at all. Most of the traffic around the straits was passing through by sea, rather than moving from Africa to Arabia. Merchant vessels traveling the routes from India to Berenike had to pass through Deire, which developed a reputation for having turbulent waters. However, there were several important trading centers just outside of the straits, and some of these, such as Muza in Arabia, became halfway depots: merchants could travel to these places and back home again, rather than making the entire journey. The nearby port of Adulis, on the African side, was a key site for the ivory trade. The straits, and the mountains running south and west from them in Africa, formed a sort of frontier between Aethiopia and the Far Side of Africa.
{uniqueroad4_carthaginian_desc_short}
No description required here.

{uniqueroad4_egyptian} Megales Pyramides (Great Pyramids of Gizeh)
{uniqueroad4_egyptian_desc}
Designed to last an eternity, these manmade mountains were constructed over many decades by thousands of workers with an astonishing precision. They inspire and amaze all who see them and forever stand as a monument to the genius of the civilization of Aigyptos.\n\nMany other monuments stand in the vast necropolis, including the sphinx, the two temples for the dead pharaohs that are part of each pyramid complex, the many Mastaba tombs of Old Kingdom officials, and the smaller “pyramids of the queens”.\n\nThe three pyramids of Gizeh, build between 2551 and 2471 BC on a desert plateau near the Neilos, were nearly as ancient for the Ptolemaioi and Romaioi as they are for us today. Traditionally the pharaohs of the 4th dynasty (Cheops, Chephren, and Mykerinos) are credited with constructing the pyramids. The great Pyramid of Cheops and the slightly smaller of Pyramid of Chephren are the biggest and most perfect shaped of the over 80 that can be found along the west bank of the Neilos. With original heights of 146.6 and 143.5 meters and side lengths from 230 to 215 meters, they are easily among the largest structures ever built and were the world's tallest buildings for over four millennia. Each pyramid consists of several million multi-ton stone blocks. Until the Middle Ages, their surfaces were covered with polished plain limestone plates that gave them an even more impressive look.
{uniqueroad4_egyptian_desc_short}
No description required here.

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{uniqueroad5} None
{uniqueroad5_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{uniqueroad5_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{uniqueroad5_egyptian} Odos Persike Basilike (Persian Royal Road)
{uniqueroad5_egyptian_desc}
The Persian Royal Road was very ancient. It probably started as the royal road of the Assyrian kings that connected Nineveh to Susa, and might date back in its earliest incarnations to the Hittites of the early second millennium BC. Expanding this system, the Persians relied heavily upon it to connect the heart of their empire with the western world and with a system of rest-stops containing official storehouses and guardposts, as well as the royal couriers who transversed it, the road did greatly enhance the speed and efficiency official business as well as the speed of their armies along it. The Seleukids and even later the Romans used the road to greatly benefit their conquests along it, but even more importantly to maintain their power once they were in control of it. While other royal Persian roads did exist, this particular one undoubtedly had the greatest effect on the ancient world.
{uniqueroad5_egyptian_desc_short}
No description required here.

{uniqueroad5_barbarian} Odos Persike Basilike (Persian Royal Road)
{uniqueroad5_barbarian_desc}
The Persian Royal Road was very ancient. It probably started as the royal road of the Assyrian kings that connected Nineveh to Susa, and might date back in its earliest incarnations to the Hittites of the early second millennium BC. Expanding this system, the Persians relied heavily upon it to connect the heart of their empire with the western world and with a system of rest-stops containing official storehouses and guardposts, as well as the royal couriers who transversed it, the road did greatly enhance the speed and efficiency official business as well as the speed of their armies along it. The Seleukids and even later the Romans used the road to greatly benefit their conquests along it, but even more importantly to maintain their power once they were in control of it. While other royal Persian roads did exist, this particular one undoubtedly had the greatest effect on the ancient world.
{uniqueroad5_barbarian_desc_short}
No description required here.

{uniqueroad5_eastern} Odos Persike Basilike (Persian Royal Road)
{uniqueroad5_eastern_desc}
The Persian Royal Road was very ancient. It probably started as the royal road of the Assyrian kings that connected Nineveh to Susa, and might date back in its earliest incarnations to the Hittites of the early second millennium BC. Expanding this system, the Persians relied heavily upon it to connect the heart of their empire with the western world and with a system of rest-stops containing official storehouses and guardposts, as well as the royal couriers who transversed it, the road did greatly enhance the speed and efficiency official business as well as the speed of their armies along it. The Seleukids and even later the Romans used the road to greatly benefit their conquests along it, but even more importantly to maintain their power once they were in control of it. While other royal Persian roads did exist, this particular one undoubtedly had the greatest effect on the ancient world.
{uniqueroad5_eastern_desc_short}
No description required here.

{uniqueroad5_carthaginian} Midbar (Desert)
{uniqueroad5_carthaginian_desc}
Much of this province consists of a sandy desert. It restricts any permanent roads from being constructed across it and prohibits many types of farming structures and other buildings from being built in it. Trade penalties will apply (though they may be seen in the description as bonuses because of RTW's inability to show negative "bonuses").
{uniqueroad5_carthaginian_desc_short}
No description required here.

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{uniqueroad6} None
{uniqueroad6_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{uniqueroad6_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{uniqueroad6_barbarian} None
{uniqueroad6_barbarian_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{uniqueroad6_barbarian_desc_short}
No description required here.

{uniqueroad6_germans} Glēsowegoz (The Amber Route)
{uniqueroad6_germans_desc}
Ġlēso-weġoz\n(GhLĒ-so-WE-ghoz, "Amber Road")\n\nAmber was first sought after for use in figurines, jewelry, etc. as early as ten thousand years ago. Magical properties were attributed to the substance and a wide trade for it soon spread throughout Europe and towards the Black Sea. Amber from the Baltic Sea was especially abundant and brought much trade in from its export. Fishermen brought in the amber and it was processed in workshops befor being sent south. The Celts and the Hellenes were especially fond of the substance, and the Romans soon developed a voracious appetite for it as well.\n\nThe earliest great route to the south went to the Danube and then made its way down it by ship to coast of the Euxine Sea, where it was distributed by seamerchents throughout the Euxine, Aegean, and Mediterranean. Later the chief route changed when Roman demand surpassed that of the Euxine route. Instead of following the Danube it turned towards the Adriatic Sea where the sea trade spread it throughout the Mediterranean.\n\nThe Amber Route brought increased trade into the provinces through which it passed and the increase in luxury goods also increased the luxury goods available to the inhabitants.
{uniqueroad6_germans_desc_short}
No description required here.

{uniqueroad6_dacia} Elektrine Keleuthos (The Amber Route)
{uniqueroad6_dacia_desc}
Amber was first sought after for use in figurines, jewelry, etc. as early as ten thousand years ago. Magical properties were attributed to the substance and a wide trade for it soon spread throughout Europe and towards the Black Sea. Amber from the Baltic Sea was especially abundant and brought much trade in from its export. Fishermen brought in the amber and it was processed in workshops befor being sent south. The Celts and the Hellenes were especially fond of the substance, and the Romans soon developed a voracious appetite for it as well.\n\nThe earliest great route to the south went to the Danube and then made its way down it by ship to coast of the Euxine Sea, where it was distributed by seamerchents throughout the Euxine, Aegean, and Mediterranean. Later the chief route changed when Roman demand surpassed that of the Euxine route. Instead of following the Danube it turned towards the Adriatic Sea where the sea trade spread it throughout the Mediterranean.\n\nThe Amber Route brought increased trade into the provinces through which it passed and the increase in luxury goods also increased the luxury goods available to the inhabitants.
{uniqueroad6_dacia_desc_short}
No description required here.

{uniqueroad6_gauls} Barrocandoa (The Amber Route)
{uniqueroad6_gauls_desc}
Amber was first sought after for use in figurines, jewelry, etc. as early as ten thousand years ago. Magical properties were attributed to the substance and a wide trade for it soon spread throughout Europe and towards the Black Sea. Amber from the Baltic Sea was especially abundant and brought much trade in from its export. Fishermen brought in the amber and it was processed in workshops befor being sent south. The Celts and the Hellenes were especially fond of the substance, and the Romans soon developed a voracious appetite for it as well.\n\nThe earliest great route to the south went to the Danube and then made its way down it by ship to coast of the Euxine Sea, where it was distributed by seamerchents throughout the Euxine, Aegean, and Mediterranean. Later the chief route changed when Roman demand surpassed that of the Euxine route. Instead of following the Danube it turned towards the Adriatic Sea where the sea trade spread it throughout the Mediterranean.\n\nThe Amber Route brought increased trade into the provinces through which it passed and the increase in luxury goods also increased the luxury goods available to the inhabitants.
{uniqueroad6_gauls_desc_short}
No description required here.

{uniqueroad6_scythia} Barrocandoa (The Amber Route)
{uniqueroad6_scythia_desc}
Amber was first sought after for use in figurines, jewelry, etc. as early as ten thousand years ago. Magical properties were attributed to the substance and a wide trade for it soon spread throughout Europe and towards the Black Sea. Amber from the Baltic Sea was especially abundant and brought much trade in from its export. Fishermen brought in the amber and it was processed in workshops befor being sent south. The Celts and the Hellenes were especially fond of the substance, and the Romans soon developed a voracious appetite for it as well.\n\nThe earliest great route to the south went to the Danube and then made its way down it by ship to coast of the Euxine Sea, where it was distributed by seamerchents throughout the Euxine, Aegean, and Mediterranean. Later the chief route changed when Roman demand surpassed that of the Euxine route. Instead of following the Danube it turned towards the Adriatic Sea where the sea trade spread it throughout the Mediterranean.\n\nThe Amber Route brought increased trade into the provinces through which it passed and the increase in luxury goods also increased the luxury goods available to the inhabitants.
{uniqueroad6_scythia_desc_short}
No description required here.

{uniqueroad6_greek} Elektrine Keleuthos (The Amber Route)
{uniqueroad6_greek_desc}
Amber was first sought after for use in figurines, jewelry, etc. as early as ten thousand years ago. Magical properties were attributed to the substance and a wide trade for it soon spread throughout Europe and towards the Black Sea. Amber from the Baltic Sea was especially abundant and brought much trade in from its export. Fishermen brought in the amber and it was processed in workshops befor being sent south. The Celts and the Hellenes were especially fond of the substance, and the Romans soon developed a voracious appetite for it as well.\n\nThe earliest great route to the south went to the Danube and then made its way down it by ship to coast of the Euxine Sea, where it was distributed by seamerchents throughout the Euxine, Aegean, and Mediterranean. Later the chief route changed when Roman demand surpassed that of the Euxine route. Instead of following the Danube it turned towards the Adriatic Sea where the sea trade spread it throughout the Mediterranean.\n\nThe Amber Route brought increased trade into the provinces through which it passed and the increase in luxury goods also increased the luxury goods available to the inhabitants.
{uniqueroad6_greek_desc_short}
No description required here.

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{uniqueroad7} None
{uniqueroad7_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{uniqueroad7_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{uniqueroad7_egyptian} (Border Trade Resource)
{uniqueroad7_egyptian_desc}
This province has neighbors whom it trades with frequently, neighbors who are not on the map and thus not able to be represented by the RTW engine. This "building" makes up for some of the income the province should be getting, but that is currently left out as a result of the map's edges not taking that trade into account.\n\nThe province of Sind received much trade by land and by sea with its neighbors further east. It has a bonus of 3 added to its trade base income.
{uniqueroad7_egyptian_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

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{uniqueroad8} None
{uniqueroad8_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{uniqueroad8_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{uniqueroad8_egyptian} (Border Trade Resource)
{uniqueroad8_egyptian_desc}
This province has neighbors whom it trades with frequently, neighbors who are not on the map and thus not able to be represented by the RTW engine. This "building" makes up for some of the income the province should be getting, but that is currently left out as a result of the map's edges not taking that trade into account.\n\nThe provinces of Sattagydia received a good deal of trade with provinces to the east, and Kush received a good deal of trade by land with its neighbors further south along the Neilos River and across other inland borders. They both have bonuses of 2 added to their trade base income.
{uniqueroad8_egyptian_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{uniqueroad8_nomad} (Border Trade Resource)
{uniqueroad8_nomad_desc}
This province has neighbors whom it trades with frequently, neighbors who are not on the map and thus not able to be represented by the RTW engine. This "building" makes up for some of the income the province should be getting, but that is currently left out as a result of the map's edges not taking that trade into account.\n\nThe province of Xiyu received a good deal of trade by land with its neighbors further east. It has a bonus of 2 added to its trade base income.
{uniqueroad8_nomad_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{uniqueroad8_carthaginian} Mis'har 'Abor Gbulot (Border Trade Resource)
{uniqueroad8_carthaginian_desc}
This province has neighbors whom it trades with frequently, neighbors who are not on the map and thus not able to be represented by the RTW engine. This "building" makes up for some of the income the province should be getting, but that is currently left out as a result of the map's edges not taking that trade into account.\n\nThe province of Mauretania received much trade by land and by sea with its neighbors further south along the west African coast. It has a bonus of 2 added to its trade base income.
{uniqueroad8_carthaginian_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

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{uniqueroad9} None
{uniqueroad9_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{uniqueroad9_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{uniqueroad9_egyptian} (Border Trade Resource)
{uniqueroad9_egyptian_desc}
This province has neighbors whom it trades with frequently, neighbors who are not on the map and thus not able to be represented by the RTW engine. This "building" makes up for some of the income the province should be getting, but that is currently left out as a result of the map's edges not taking that trade into account.\n\nThe province of Gandhara received some trade by land with its neighbors further east. It has a bonus of 1 added to its trade base income.
{uniqueroad9_egyptian_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

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¬-------UNIQUES3------------
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{uniques3_name} Unique Buildings

{threeone} ThreeOne
{threeone_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{threeone_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{threeone_greek} Troia (The Site of Troy)
{threeone_greek_desc}
In our day, a small town still sits atop the mighty citadel of Troy, though it is only the memory of the city's former glory and the deeds performed around its great walls that keeps the current town important. Alexander himself visited Troy, sacrificed to Athena in her temple atop the citadel, and poured libations to the heroes. He took part in a race naked with his companions around the tomb of Achilles and deposited crowns. The armor of Achilles was still kept there, and Alexander took it with him on his eastern campaigns, replacing it with his own armor. Many other visitors over the centuries made the voyage to sacred Ilion, made their dedications and paid their respects, and many saw armor the locals still claimed was that of Achilles. The romanEmperor Caracalla even visited and imitated Alexander's race much later.\n\nSTRATEGY: Trade bonus, Morale bonus to new recruits, Public order bonus due to happiness: 5%
{threeone_greek_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the citadel of Troy.

{threeone_egyptian} Ereipia Babyloniaka (The Ruins of Babylon)
{threeone_egyptian_desc}
Babylon was an extremely ancient and influential city, built upon the Euphrates, divided in equal parts among its left and right banks with steep embankments built to contain the river's seasonal floods. Destroyed and rebuilt several times, it was controlled by multiple rising empires and became one herself more than once. The city was built before the 24th Century and was the Hammurabi´s Empire Capital that controlled vast kingdoms around it. But eventually it fell under the control of the Assyrian Empire, one of its former dependent states, from which it rebelled frequently. As a result of yet another revolt, king Sennacherib sieged and destroyed the city in 689 BC, its walls, temples, and palaces were razed to the ground and the rubbish thrown into the Arakhtu, the canal which bordered the earlier Babylon on the south. Its sucessor promptly rebuilt the city fearing the clergy, crowned itself there and made it its residence for part of the year. Although it was sacked again later, it recovered its independance after the fall of the Assyrian Empire and became once again major power under Nebuchadnezzar who was responsible for the rebuilding of Etemanaki temple and the construction of the Ishtar Gate and the Hanging Gardens. After passing through various vicissitudes the city was occupied in 538 BC by Kyros the Great, king of Persia. Under him, and his heir Darius I, Babylon became a center of learning and scientific advancement. However, by the reign of Darius III, Babylon began to stagnate and was occupied by the Makedonians when the Persian king was defeated at Gaugamela by the forces of Alexandros.\n\nUnder Alexandros, Babylon again flourished as a center of learning and commerce. After Alexander's death, his empire desintegrated, and fighting soon began with Babylon once again caught in the middle. The constant state of war emptied the city and by 275 B..C the inhabitants of Babylon were transported to Seleukia. With this event the history of Babylon comes practically to an end, though more than a century later it was found that sacrifices were still performed in its old sanctuary.
{threeone_egyptian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction of the enormous ruins of the old city of Babylon.

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{threetwo} ThreeTwo
{threetwo_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{threetwo_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{threetwo_roman} (Paestum Temples)
{threetwo_roman_desc}
The great temples of the Graeci built at Paestum are by our times somewhat ancient. But we care for them now and the goddesses worshipped by the Graeci here are our gods as well.\n\nThe largest of the temples at Paestum are found in a sanctuary sacred to Juno (Hera). The oldest one was constructed in the middle of the 6th century BC and is of the older Doric order. It did not contain sculptural elements though on its friezes or metopes. The cella is divided into two aisles by a row of columns down the middle; in the old days it was often safer to put the columns down the middle and not risk structural problems, but it did obscure the statue at the rear of the cella. The other great temple in the sanctuary is dedicated to Juno also and was built in the middle of the 5th century BC. It is a much more refined structure of course. Six other small temples surround the area, all dedicated to the fertility aspects of Juno, also known as Hera Argiva. There is also a prominent temple of Concord found here that was begun by our people just last year (in 273 BC). The other large sanctuary here is dedicated to Minerva (Athena), and it has a great temple also. Although it is Doric, it does have Ionic columns in places though.\n\nSTRATEGY: Public order bonus due to happiness: 5%, Morale bonus to new recruits for Epeiros, the Koinon Hellenon, and Makedonia.
{threetwo_roman_desc_short}
You have repaired the damage at the great Greek temples at Paestum.

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{threethree} ThreeThree
{threethree_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{threethree_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{threethree_egyptian} Ammonion (Oracle of Zeus-Ammon)
{threethree_egyptian_desc}
This oracle was one of the most important oracles in the Hellenistic world. Introduced to the rest of the Greek world through its promotion by Kyrene, and used on their coins as early as the fifth century, the worship of Zeus-Ammon spread to Athens in the fourth century. Plutarch claims that notables such as Kimon, Lysander, Alkibiades, and Nikias all consulted the oracle. But it was the visit of Megas Alexandros in 331, after his victory at Issus, that caught the ancient imagination. The priests acknowledged that Zeus was the father of Alexandros, and it was from this point that the young king's supposed divinity began to greatly aid him in his eastern conquests; however, it is also the point at which delusions of that same divinity slowly began to interfere with his ability to rule his expanding empire.
{threethree_egyptian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at one of the most famous oracles of the ancient world, the Oracle of Zeus-Ammon.

{threethree_carthaginian} Mahram Bilqis (Temple of the Moon God)
{threethree_carthaginian_desc}
The Mahram Bilqis, or Sanctuary of Bilqis (the Sabaean Moon God) is one of the most famous sites in all of Arabia. The temple itself is a huge oval nearly a thousand feet around, with a large columned hall to the north that served as the entrance to the temple. Like many south Arabian temples, it is located well outside the walls of the nearest city. Much of the temple complex remains unexcavated today, but many dedications and statues were found in the large entrance court, and the exterior of the enclosure wall is covered with dedicatory inscriptions relating to their construction. These inscriptions date from the seventh to mid-fifth centuries BC and they seem to have been funded by various Sabaean sovereigns.
{threethree_carthaginian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the great Temple of the Moon God.

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{threefour} ThreeFour
{threefour_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{threefour_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{threefour_barbarian} Ogmioteriam Odemorix (The Great Gallic Council)
{threefour_barbarian_desc}
The Council of Speakers, Electors, and Kings - The Ogmioteriam Odemorix was the site of the Great Gallic Council. This Council was held annually (or in extreme cases where an emergency / necessity dictated) in the land of the Carnutes (the religious centre of Gaul) during the season of Beltaine.\n\nThe Council enabled the Gallic peoples to come together in peace to communicate, engage in inter-tribal / state diplomacy, settle grievances and debts, marry and celebrate the festivities and games of Beltaine.\n\nIt also provided an opportunity for regional Druidic Magistrates to be able to come together to revise Gallic law and provide a High Court of appeal for any cases that required it.\n\nAll attendees were expected to keep this peace which was enforced by the authoritive words of the Druids and the weapons of the Carnute warriors. The later taking great pride in their prominent position amongst the tribes.
{threefour_barbarian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the Ogmioteriam Odemorix, the site of the Great Gallic Council.

{threefour_egyptian} Siva Mandir (Indian Temple of Siva)
{threefour_egyptian_desc}
This great parasol-shaped temple, built to honor the Lord Siva, was an incredible feat of architecture. Construction involved giant dirt and log ramps that spiraled to the top where the temple received its final components. The temple was not only very large, it was also lavishly adorned. It was painted in a stunning display of color that covered nearly every inch of its interior and exterior from its base to the tip of its majestic tower.\n\nThe ancient Indians believed that Siva was a late evolution of the great Ishvara, one of the earliest Hindu creator deities - and one of the last to ever be perceived as a single ruler. Siva later came to be associated with Brahma and Vishnu, departing from older perceptions as a purifier and even a creator, to adopt what would eventually become his nearly universal perception as the destroyer component of the 'Trimurti.'\n\nIt was during the period of frenzied political activity in the East that followed Alexander's departure and subsequent death that Siva and other deities enjoyed a financial resurgence, their worship being expanded in Gandhara by the great conqueror's lieutenants Ambhi (the Indian ruler of Takshaçila prior to Alexander's conquests), the Thracian Eudamus, and in the South by the Mauryan kings. Lord Siva became most revered in the Indian northwest, enjoying extensive worship during the periods of Mauryan expansion into Gandhara and during the rule of the Euthydemid Greeks. Especially strong in Taxila (Takshaçila to the Hindus), the worship of Siva very frequently shifted along various culture lines. The Greeks equated Siva with Dionysos, while native Baktrians and Kambojas associated many “mountain gods” with him.
{threefour_egyptian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the great Indian Temple of Siva in this province.

{threefour_nomad} Sauromatae I Khashaya Nygad Kuybyrtae (Sarmatian Royal Tombs)
{threefour_nomad_desc}
The Sauromatae followed their Scythian predecessors by entombing their great leaders in grand kurgans. The Sauromatae, for much of their early history were never as rich as the Scythians, and their tombs reflect this. Even so, fine weapons decorated with gold and intricate armor is entombed with the great warrior who used them. Unlike the Scythians, the Sauromatae did not bury the horses with their masters.\n\nThe Sauromatae, like many Iranian nomads, view their ancestor's tombs as very special sites. Tribesmen are inspired by this reminder of their past, and look more favorably upon the current Sauromatae King for continuing their proud heritage. But any enemy trying to invade their ancestral lands will find a harsh response, despite nomad's normally fluid ways.
{threefour_nomad_desc_short}
You have repaired the tombs of the great leaders of the Sauromatae.

{threefour_greek} Skuda I Khashaya Nygad Kuybyrtae (Skythian Royal Tombs)
{threefour_greek_desc}
The Scythians, like many other steppe nomads after them, entombed their leaders in grand kurgans, high barrows heaped over chamber-tombs of larch-wood. The deceased is laden with wonderfully rich arms and armor, in addition to their horses. Goods traded and taken in raids from far off places show the accomplishments of his life. These kurgans, on the right bank of the Dnieper, are particularly important with many great Kings entombed there.\n\nIn Herodotus' narrative of the Achaemenid invasion of Scythia, Darius I accuses the Scythian king Idanthyrsus of not facing him in battle and just fleeing while harassing the Persians. Idanthyrsus replies that Darius should try to find the tombs of his ancestors and try to destroy them if he wants to bring the Scythians to fight. Despite the Scythian's decline in power, the Scythians still hold the resting grounds of their fore fathers in great regard. Scythians would fight long and hard against any enemy that tries and takes their ancestor's tombs, even their fellow nomads.
{threefour_greek_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the high barrows of the deceased Skythian kings.

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{threefive} ThreeFive
{threefive_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{threefive_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{threefive_barbarian} Laxuz Xoilogoz (The Holy Lake)
{threefive_barbarian_desc}
Laχuz χoiloġoz\n(LA-khuz KhOI-lo-ghoz, "Lake of Luck granted by the gods")\n\nLocated in the lands of the Xathjōzez (Chatti) is one of the most important sanctuary of the Germanic tribes in Central Europe. Here a large natural lake developed, because of salt-emaciations in the earth. In this event the Germanic tribes who lived nearby probably saw the hand of gods at work. In the course of several centuries they repeatedly established several sanctuaries near the edges of this lake. At those sites different gods were praised and many gifts were brought. Circular altar places, numerous utensils and seaweeds, wooden figures and idols, as well as the remains of human and animal sacrifices have been discovered in excavations. Adored among other gods were Wāthonoz- god of wisdom and the slain in battle, Nerthuz- earth mother and goddess of fertility, and Deiwoz- god of noble battle and justice. Also many weapons of Roman and Celtic design have been found here, since it was often customary for Germanic warriors to not only take the life of their enemies but also truly sacrifice something of value achieved through the gods' blessing such as their well-crafted war-gear.
{threefive_barbarian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the Holy Lake in the lands of the Xathjōzez.

{threefive_egyptian} Ho Taphos Tou Megalou Alexandrou (Tomb of Megas Alexandros)
{threefive_egyptian_desc}
Upon his death in 323 BC, the body of Alexandros was prepared for transport to and burial at the Oasis of Siwa, the Ammonion, as per his wishes, and to the dismay of his Makedonian soldiers and companions.\n\nPerdikkas, however, decided to take the body back to Aigai for burial, and prepared what has been thought to be the most elaborate funerary cart in history. But Ptolemaios organized an attack upon the funeral procession and seized the body, which he took to Memphis where it was entombed in the traditional Aigyptian style. Ptolemaios II moved the body to Alexandreia, where a cult was started around the tomb, not uncommon for a city's founder.\n\nThe tomb itself became an international tourist destination, especially of famous individuals. The golden sarcophagus was replaced with a glass one at one point, and visitors such as Strabo, Diodoros, Julius Caesar, Marcus Antonius, Caligula, Caracalla, and even Augustus, who in leaning over to kiss Alexandros, accidently broke the great one's nose off.\n\nThe tomb was closed by Septimus Severus who was nervous about the safety of the body under the masses of tourists who visited it constantly.
{threefive_egyptian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the Tomb of Megas Alexandros.

{threefive_greek} Asklepeion of Kos
{threefive_greek_desc}
Temporary Description
{threefive_greek_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the Asklepeion of Kos.

{threefive_carthaginian} HaMiqdasim Ha'Attiqim Sel Malta (Megalithic Maltese Temples)
{threefive_carthaginian_desc}
The ancient neolithic temples and monuments of Malta are the earliest monumental structures in ancient Europe. Most prominent of all archaeological wonders of Malta is the Hypogeum, an enormous underground temple constructed sometime around 2400 BC. There are three levels hewn from the solid rock with an oracular shrine and a complex series of chambers and tombs. The original builders did not last long in the area, but the site itself was not abandoned and houses the bodies of around 7,000 persons who have been buried there through the millennia. But on this small island are the gigantic remains of many other temples dating from the third millenium BC. Megalithic wonders at Hagar Qim, Ggantija, Mnajdra, and Tarxien dwarf many classical temples, and are a thousand years older than the pyramids at Giza and all carved and constructed without the use of any metal tools.\n\nThe native inhabitants were friendly and cooperative with the Phoenician and Qarthadasti settlers, and some Hellenistic architectural elements were incorporated into the temples in the third century, though Hellenism itself was not as widely incorporated there. By 272 BC, the thoroughly Punic beliefs, customs, and manners of the native Maltese made them much more hostile to the Romans.
{threefive_carthaginian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the most ancient Megalithic Temples of Malta.

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{threesix} ThreeSix
{threesix_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{threesix_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{threesix_barbarian} Nerthu Weixo (The Forbidden Shrine of Nerthuz)
{threesix_barbarian_desc}
Nerþu Weiχo\n(NER-thu WEI-kho, "Remote fear/awe-inspiring Holiness of Nerthuz," the Taboo Shrine to Nerthuz)\n\nSeveral Germanic tribes along the Baltic Sea coast participated in one of the best known of all Germanic rituals once a year. A sacred grove was located on a holy island in the sea ("in insula Oceani" as Tacitus says). The focus of the ritual was on a procession drawn by sacred cows in a consecrated wagon, covered by an embroidered drape to purposely hide the holy contents from view; the activities were closely associated with fertility and harvest rituals, as Nerthuz was thought to be the Earth herself, Mother in divine form. A priest "husband to Nerthuz" was the only person allowed to touch the wagon- representing the fruitful sanctity of the bonds marriage. He was aware of the presence of the goddess and accompanied the driverless vehicle in reverence as the cows pulled her away in any direction thought to be her desire. The procession went on a tour "through the world of mortals" and then returned to the sacred precinct, where secluded, the wagon and its contents inside, idols and goddess underwent a ritual ablution in the lake. Afterwards the slaves who had ministered to it all, having seen and touched that which is forbidden, must be drowned and swallowed by the lake.\n\nDuring the ceremonies, which took place at a certain time every year, all the members of the tribes of like blood that came together for the event and entered the sanctuary first were bound, in a representation of human inferiority and godly power. And no one was allowed to take arms with them to the events. It was the only such time that peace and quiet between the tribes was mandated, and often served as a meeting place for the discussion of religious and political matters. Thus under the auspices of a religious blessing, many alliances were formed during these meetings.
{threesix_barbarian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the Forbidden Shrine of Nerthuz, a sacred grove on an island in the sea.

{threesix_carthaginian} HaNamal WeHa'Homot Sel Qarthadast (The Port and Walls of Carthage)
{threesix_carthaginian_desc}
Four huge and powerful structures in the magnificent city of Qarthadast stood as examples of Qarthadasti might: the temple districts of Ba'al and Astarot, the harbor, and the triple wall. \n\nThe circular harbor was a wonder in and of itself. This marvel of engineering allowed Qarthadasti fleets to better prepare and equip themselves than the harbors of their rivals. The port was even capable of having a second exit away from its circular main entrance that was concealed. This was used to effect during the Punic wars when the Romans blockaded the mouth of the harbor. Archaeological evidence supports the existence of the famous circular port with its center island but also points to existence of dozens of ports along the part of the shore occupied by Qarthadast. This was truly a city built for massive trade capability as well as being able to house, maintain, and effectively crew and launch a large fleet of warships. \n\nThe final wonder was Qarthadast's massive triple wall. According to many ancient historians, this defense system could comfortably house 19,000 troops, several thousand horses, and over seventy elephants within its massive structure. The original account of the wall claims that all three walls were the same hight. However, both other, more detailed, accounts and archaeological evidence points to the three walls being a massive stone wall, a smaller stone or wood wall, and a trench. This would have prevented just as much of an obstacle to attackers and would have doubled as a two layered defense so that multiple missile forces could engage the enemy at the same time from the relative safety of the walls without having to shoot through their comrades.
{threesix_carthaginian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the waterfront of Qart-Hadast and along the triple walls of the city.

{threesix_egyptian} Gebel Barkal (Pyramids of Gebel Barkal)
{threesix_egyptian_desc}
A holy site long before its development, the hill of Gebel Barkal encompassed nine known temples and a field of pyramids which were part of the royal Naptan-Meroitic cemetery. The Napatan pyramids do not house their deceased kings, but instead are commemorative monuments to the deceased who are buryed in hypogea underneath. The small temples before each pyramid house the offerings. The hill also contains several palaces, administrative complexes, and other temples, the biggest of which is dedicated to the god Ammon. The area remains sacred to the local peoples even today.
{threesix_egyptian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the Napatan pyramids, the most holy site for the peoples of Meroe, sacred places even to local peoples today.

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{threeseven} ThreeSeven
{threeseven_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{threeseven_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{threeseven_egyptian} Pasargadai (Pasargadai and Tomb of Kyros)
{threeseven_egyptian_desc}
The Old Persian Capital, Tomb of the Dynast Founder\n\n"O man, I am Kyros son of Kambyses, who founded the empire of Persia and ruled over Asia. Do not grudge me my monument." When Alexandros found the monument he showed great respect and ordered the vandalism done to it and the body of Kyros himself repaired as a sign of his assumption of the Persian throne. Plutarchos visited it also. It was a site revered by the Persians and sat among the ruins of Pasargadai, the original capital of the Persian Empire. It brought travelers from near and far and though it was smaller and older than the marvelous ruins at Persepolis, it was a site that inspired much respect from the Persians as well as the Hellenes.
{threeseven_egyptian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at Pasargadai, the first Persian capital and the tomb of Kyros the Great, the founder of the dynasty.

{threeseven_barbarian} Foreign Sea-Trade Post
{threeseven_barbarian_desc}
This is a Greek or Punic trading post. Bonuses are given to barbarian factions only, who allow these posts to exist to trade with Qarthadastim and Hellenes.
{threeseven_barbarian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction of this Foreign Sea-Trade Post

{threeseven_greek} Foreign Sea-Trade Post
{threeseven_greek_desc}
This is a Greek or Punic trading post. Bonuses are given to barbarian factions only, who allow these posts to exist to trade with Qarthadastim and Hellenes.
{threeseven_greek_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at this Foreign Sea-Trade Post

{threeseven_carthaginian} Ta'hanat S'hora Zarit (Foreign Sea-Trade Post)
{threeseven_carthaginian_desc}
This is a Greek or Punic trading post. Bonuses are given to barbarian factions only, who allow these posts to exist to trade with Qarthadastim and Hellenes.
{threeseven_carthaginian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at this Foreign Sea-Trade Post

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{threeeight} ThreeEight
{threeeight_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{threeeight_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{threeeight_barbarian} Drunemeton
{threeeight_barbarian_desc}
In the territories of the Galatians in Anatolia, their three tribes, the Tectosages, the Tolistobogii, and the Trocmi, live as a well-entrenched ruling class, with the first occupying Ancyra in the region's heartland, the second Pessinus in the West, and the third Tavium in the East. These three tribes are divided into four clans, each with an elder and a judge, whose powers were unlimited in all but murder cases - which were tried by a council of 300 other Galatians, drawn equally from each clan. To try these cases, as well as discuss matters of state policy, the council was collected and met with the clan leaders at a sacred oak grove. This meeting place was the Drynemeton, meaning "temple of the oaks," near the Tectosage capital at Ankyra (it would later become a shrine to the great Galatian ruler Deiotarus). Here these delegates would discuss issues of local and national importance, including the levying of tribute from their non-Galatian citizenry and the wars of the various dynasts outside their territory - or even those who might come to rule it.
{threeeight_barbarian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the most famous and visited pilgrimage site in the Arabian peninsula, the Ka'bah.

{threeeight_carthaginian} Ka'bah (Ka'bah at Mecca)
{threeeight_carthaginian_desc}
All the diverse tribes of Arabia took part in a great pilgrimage to the Ka'bah at Mecca. Such journeys were possible only when peace reigned throughout the land. To ensure this, all tribes prohibited internal warfare during the period from the month before the pilgrimage to the month after. Sacred territory meant that the tribes expected pilgrims to lay aside their weapons upon reaching Mecca. Once they entered the holy territory pilgrims were expected to practice self-denial and abstain from hunting, fighting, and sexual intercourse, amongst other things.\n\nAt the center of a month-long religious ceremony was the Ka'bah, where pilgrims worshipped a myriad of pre-Islamic gods. The Ka'bah itself consisted of a simple, cube-like stone structure with a black stone embedded in one of the walls that was supposedly of meteoric origin. Inside the Ka'bah sat a statue of the god Hubal, a small pit for offering, and statues of numerous other gods worshipped by various Arabic tribes.\n\nThe existence of the Kah'bah as a holy place to all Arabs seems to date to at least the early 1st century BC. Diodoros of Sicily remarks that “a temple has been set-up there, which is very holy and exceedingly revered by all Arabians.” While he doesn't mention the Ka'bah by name, it is the only known place in Arabia to fit such criteria. Further, such use of the Ka'bah in the early 1st century BC seems to justify its importance to pre-Islamic Arabians such as the Sabeans.
{threeeight_carthaginian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the most famous and visited pilgrimage site in the Arabian peninsula, the Ka'bah.

{threeeight_egyptian} Mega Agalma Anaitidos (Great Cult Statue of Anahita)
{threeeight_egyptian_desc}
According to the chronicles of Berossos of Babylon and other historians, in the prosperous years after his violent rise to power, the Persian King Artaxerxes II initiated rich building projects all across the Persian Empire. Among the structures erected by his order, was a great cult statue of Anahita in Baktra, the capital of the vast and wealthy Baktrian Satrapy. Anahita, in the Zoroastrian tradition so strong in Baktria (Zoroaster himself lived and died in Baktra itself), was a great goddess of water and purity, and her cult was very popular in the far East, particularly along the banks of the Oxus River. In the same fashion as older Western cults, the statue built by Artaxerxes, known for the great skill of its execution (many traditions recall how beautifully it captured her image; her crown of sunbeams and cloak of otter furs), became a favorite gathering place of her local worshippers, and its precincts rapidly turned into the site of vast cult gatherings.
{threeeight_egyptian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction of the great cult statue of Anahita.

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{threenine} ThreeNine
{threenine_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{threenine_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{threenine_barbarian} Cairnaichaeoriam (The Place of Many Stones)
{threenine_barbarian_desc}
The Place of Many Stones (later known as "Carnac") this giant site of megalithic monuments spreads five miles, its initial purpose unknown. It includes menhir (standing stones), dolmens (a sepulture formed of several stones), cromlech (enclosures of menhir), and tumulus (dirt mounds over Dolmens with no entrance). Much of it may be a star chart related to the religion of the unknown builders, who may have built tombs and graves in alignment with certain stars. Several relics indicate some manner of Celtic worship at the stones, even though the Celts did not arrange them. The Gauls (and later the Bretons) venerated the site, developing their own stories for the stones' placement and existence.\n\nSTRATEGY: Carnac provides an additional law bonus when possessed by the Aedui.
{threenine_barbarian_desc_short}
You have repaired Cairnaichaeoriam (Carnac).

{threenine_eastern} Shamiram-su (The Great Canal of Menua)
{threenine_eastern_desc}
'By the will of Khaldi, Menua, son of Ishpuini, has built this canal. This canal is named the Menua Canal. Menua is the powerful, the great king, King of Biaina, Prince of the city of Tushpa; Menua speaks in the name of the dread Khaldi: Whosoever damages this incription, whosoever overturns it, whosoever does such things according to his own desire or in the name of another, Menua warns that the dread god Khaldi, the god Teisheba and the Sun god Shivini will efface him from the sight of the sun.'\n\nIn the heart of the most ancient part of Hayasdan called Hayots-Dzor (Valley of the Armenians) this canal runs from a generous spring in the foot-hills of the Armenian mountains, through the city of Tushpa (modern day Van) and into Lake Van, travelling some 45 miles to do so. It was responsible for watering an extensive and very rich region of Urartu, and so much was it needed by the people of that land that even today it runs with the same life-bringing water that it did almost 3000 years ago when it was first built.\n\nShamiram-su (the modern name) was originally part of a massive construction project set by King Menua of Urartu during his reign from 810 to 785 BCE. Menua was a king riding upon the successes of earlier monarchs and it was he who began many of the extensive military and public works that supported Urartu in its continuing war against Assyria. King Menua, as the inscription quote above lays claim to, built the Shamiram-su to irrigate the lands around Van and the great city itself, but it was not the only one. Many canals had been built around Lake Van, to support larger populations and irrigate larger amounts of land; these regions were so fertile, supported by these canals, that they became the great granaries of the Urartian kingdom (and the later Kingdom of Hayasdan), whose grain production was able to support the many armies needed to make war on the great enemy, Assyria.\n\nShamiram-su, named after Queen Shamiram (or Shammu-ramat) or Assyria - though as the inscription maintains this was a later name and the canal was originally named after King Menua - was of such magnitude that it was 'as abundant as the Euphrates'; for just as the Euphrates was 'queen among rivers', Shamiram-su was 'the queen among canals'. Even today, the canal flows at the rate of 1500-3000 litres per second, and would have been able to support a population of 50,000 in Van, not to mention the extensive farmland in the region around it. Van itself became a city of gardens under the reign of Menua thanks to the waters of Shamiram-su, and he himself was responsible for the planting of many trees and the design of many gardens - it almost brings to mind images of the most fertile of Mesopotamian cities, Babylon.\n\nThe Vannic region was greatly enriched by both the city of Van and the canal of Menua that supported it, and much trade and many peoples were and are supported by these two ancient sites of wonder and magnificence.
{threenine_eastern_desc_short}
The canal of Menua has been repaired and this region will be bountiful and produce much trade and grain for the benefit of its people.

{threenine_carthaginian} (Garamante Royal Cemetry)
{threenine_carthaginian_desc}
The pyramid and mastaba tombs of the growing royal cemeteries are located among tens of thousands of graves in the heart of their kingdom. The characteristic Steles often placed near the tombs, looking like a four fingered hand, reminds the Garamantes of their people's ancient heritage that can be traced back almost a thousand years. Viewing them makes the warriors aware of their own people's achievements and their ancient claims on this land, that they do not have to hide behind the Mediterranean cities and their inhabitants, making them more eager to respect the traditional social structure and defend their land against any invader.\n\nThe extensive cemeteries that cover the hangs and fringes of the inhabited Wadis are the most visible remnants of the Garamantes' civilization today. They are estimated to contain several hundred thousand tombs, mostly the small narrow stone mounds of the ordinary people, but also mud brick pyramids, mastabas and later similar stone monuments and small mausoleums as in contemporary roman northern Africa.\n\nHistorically, the Garamantes were Berber speaking Libyan people that used their own script, probably based on Punic, whose derivate is still in use today in central Sahara. The oasis's of modern Fezzan, the region around their capital Garama formed the heart of their kingdom that also stretched a considerable distance into the south, at least temporarily. It controlled a large part of the limited trans Saharan trade of the era and exported precious stone produced in their own lands. Although the standards of living and technology were low compared to the Mediterranean cities the Garamantes managed to vastly increase the output of their agriculture, after 200 BC, by creating an extended irrigation network based upon the mining of fossil water, a leftover from less dry periods of Sahara. It allowed them to maintain a large population for Saharan standards.\n\nThe roots of the Garamante kingdom and the history of their tribe can be dated back as early as 1000 BC. The early Greek historian Herodotus first mentioned the Garamantes in 4th century BC as a numerous people of desert farmers and cattle herders that hunted troglodyte (cave dwellers) Ethiopians, probably inhabiting the Tibesti range in the south with their four horse chariots. Largely ignored by the Hellenistic world they appear next time in the spotlight of history in Augustan times. In the last decades of the 1st century BC and the final years of Augustus reign, roman forces conducted several campaigns in the fringes of the Sahara to secure the empire's southern border and enlarge control over the major trade routes in the area. Most notably Cornelius Balbus captured Cydamus, marched his army through the desert to Garama and temporarily occupied a larger number of Saharan settlements in 21/20 BC. Later the Garamantes supported the Numidian rebel Tacfarinas, but were pardoned for this in Roma after he was defeated in 24 AD. After a last clash with roman forces 70 AD when they supported Oea in an inner tripolitanian conflict with Leptis Magna, relations between the Garamantes and the roman empire stayed peaceful and roman cultural influence and mercantile contacts strongly increased. Thereafter messages about the Garamantes are again rare to nonexistent for the next centuries and it seems that their kingdom was finally destroyed during the Islamic conquest of northern Africa in the 7th century AD.
{threenine_carthaginian_desc_short}
You have repaired the damage at the Royal Garamante Cemetery.

{threenine_macedon} Hiera Isthmia (Isthmian Games)
{threenine_macedon_desc}
The Isthmian Games are biennial. They are held in April and May before the Olympic or Pythian Games, in the first and third years of the Olympic cycle (e.g., 272, 270, 268, etc.).\n\nThe Isthmian Games were held at the Isthmos of Korinthos and organized by that polis, under the patronage of the god Poseidon. They took place every two years, on the first and third years of the Olympic cycles, in April and May. The Isthmian Games were said to be funerary in nature, with its mythological origins found in the honoring of a dead child named Melikertes. The festival itself would begin with a sacrifice to Poseidon at dawn, and the contests would each begin with a ritual chant. The games were traditionally begun in 582 or 580, at almost the same time the Pythian Games were established and near the starting date of the Nemean Games as well. The archaic temple dates to well before this period, so the site was considered a holy place long before the games were begun.\n\nBeing held at such an important crossroads, the game was always attended by very large crowds, and with an important polis like Korinthos hosting the events, with so many visitors coming in to the polis easily from the Korinthian Sea and the Saronic Gulf, its location ensured its popularity.\n\nThere were numerous age divisions at the Isthmian Games, between the categories of men and boys was a special youth category. The usual contests were held, especially noting the chariot-races in honor of Poseidon. The first musical contests were held in the third century. Nikokles of Taras won six musical victories in that century. A painting contest was held here also, as at Delphi. A woman, Aristoache of Erythrai, was recorded to have won twice in an epic verse contest in the early second century BC also.
{threenine_macedon_desc_short}
You have repaired the facilities and the racecourses at Isthmia where the Isthmian Games are held.

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¬-------UNIQUES4------------
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{uniques4_name} Unique Buildings

{fourone} FourOne
{fourone_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{fourone_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{fourone_barbarian} Caernahfronynys (The Calanish Stones)
{fourone_barbarian_desc}
Caernahfronynys are a series of standing stones, neolithic monuments in what would later be called the Hebrides. They are a product of the 'monolith builders', an old people who spread far across the world, building large stone edifices. These stones apparently mystified the new inhabitants of the islands, who buried small religious items around them, and etched images into them. The stones cover much space, and are arrayed in various size circles. It isn't as famous or influential spiritually as the massive construction of Stonehenge in the south, but for the native Caledonians, these stones still hold some manner of religious importance.
{fourone_barbarian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the Calanish Stones, a huge set of neolithic stone monuments that continued to maintain the interest and worship of the later cultures who lived there.

{fourone_egyptian} Pharos Alexandreias (Lighthouse of Alexandreia)
{fourone_egyptian_desc}
The island of Pharos in the bay of Alexandreia was home to the one of the most famous lighthouses history. Sentries kept beacon-fires lit throughout the night to assist seafarers, but the lighthouse also served as a sign of the capabilities, wealth, and power of the Ptolemaioi.\n\nPtolemaios Soter, in the early days of his reign, authorized Sostratos of Knidos to build the lighthouse, but it was not completed until the reign of Ptolemaios. Philadelphos dedicated the lighthouse to his parents, Soter and Berenike.\n\nThe structure, once four hundred feet tall, has been hit by numerous earthquakes and today there is nothing left of it but rubble in the nearby harbor and stones reused in successive forts built upon the same spot.\n\nSTRATEGY: Trade bonus, Public order bonus due to happiness for all Hellenic factions: 5%
{fourone_egyptian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the Lighthouse of Alexandreia, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

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{fourtwo} FourTwo
{fourtwo_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{fourtwo_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{fourtwo_carthaginian} A'ssakhr 'LMaghribi 'LAthim (The Great Marib Dam)
{fourtwo_carthaginian_desc}
The ruler Sumhu' Alay Yanuf and his son, Yatha'-Amar Bayyin, began construction of a monumental earthen and stone dam near Marib in the seventh century BC. This damn in the Balaq Hills retained seasonal rains that fell in the area and allowed for more comprehensive irrigation. It was maintained by successive generations of skilled Sabaeans and eventually the kings of Himyar. The wall broke for the third and last time in 570 AD. It seems that by then the knowledge and skill to repair the dam had long vanished.\n\nThe dam itself was enormous, especially for the age and place in which it was constructed. Its meticulously block-cut stone facing spanned a gap of 1,800 feet across the path of the Wadi Adhanah. The irrigation system spread throughout an extensive area, using the dam's reserves to water approximately 25,000 acres. Spillways at the sides of the dam had 25-foot thick stone walls with gates and sluices to regulate water outflow. The dam provided the people of Marib with a bountiful crop that was far greater than that of their neighbors. Thie consistency of harvests ensured a boost to the local population.
{fourtwo_carthaginian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the Great Marib Dam, built in the seventh century BC, the dam was faced with meticulously cut stone blocks and spanned a 1,800 foot gap.

{fourtwo_barbarian} Cairncalladryrdan (The Old Standing Stones)
{fourtwo_barbarian_desc}
(Carn-cay-lad-reer-den) The Old Standing Stones\n\nCairncalladryrdan is one of the hundreds of neolithic monuments that consist of multiple large stones arrayed in a circle. However, none of the rest were so well preserved nor quite so large. For this reason it impressed and confused those who happened to control the land around it.\n\nThe original purpose of Cairncalladryrdan is unknown. It was not a Celtic structure, but it was one of the most important religious sites to the Druidae. Many Celtic festivals, and in later times Roman festivals, were held here to honor various deities.\n\nThousands of Celtic and Roman statuettes, weapons, pieces of armor, and other small relics are buried in the soil around the henge in a very methodic manner.\n\nSTRATEGY: Public order bonus: 5% (Casse only)\nMorale bonus to troops trained here: +1 (Casse only)
{fourtwo_barbarian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at Stonehenge.

{fourtwo_greek} Hiera Pythia (Pythian Games)
{fourtwo_greek_desc}
The Pythian Games are quadrennial. They are held in July and August after the Isthiman Games (in April and May), in the third year of the Olympic cycle (e.g., 270, 266, 262, etc.).\n\nThe Pythian Games were one of the four major panhellenic contests held in Hellas. They were held every four years, in the third year of the Olympic cycle, in July and August. The Pythian Games were held at Delphi and were named after the serpent, Python, that Apollo slew there before he claimed the place as his own. There were musical and sporting contests, including chariot-racing, but at Delphi the musical contests were the most important.\n\nBefore the First Sacred War, the games were held every eight years, but after 586 they switched to a four year cycle. That year the Amphictyons gave monetary awards for the first time to the victors. After that contest though, the games went from being a "chrematites agon" or prize contests, to ones were wreaths were awarded, "stephanitai agones". The oldest competition at Delphi was for the singing of a hymn to the accompaniment of the lyre, in honor of Apollo. The sporting contests held there were similar to those at Olympia. There were also other artistic contests held at Delphi that the other games did not include. These included a contest where painters had to create works of art under supervised conditions, but they could not enter works of art already executed.
{fourtwo_greek_desc_short}
You have repaired the facilities and the racecourses at Delphi where the Pythian Games are held.

{fourtwo_egyptian} Dharmaraja Thupa (Stupa of the King of the Dharma)
{fourtwo_egyptian_desc}
After the death of the Tathagata Bodhisatva, his body was cremated and his remains interred in various stupas and monuments, ensuring their preservation as relics of the philosophy he exposed. When all Gandhara was under the authority of the Mauryan Empire, founded by Chandragupta Maurya, its current ruler and founder's grandson Asoka the Great converted to Buddhism and launched a campaign of peaceful proslytism, espousing the peaceful teachings of the Bodhisatva. During this campaign, he made a pilgramage to Gandhara and erected as a monument to his visit and his idol's teachings a great stupa, in which he placed some of the Bodhisatva's newly collected and redistributed body relics. Historically, the structure was the site of tremendous activity for centuries to come. There is evidence that the Indo-Greek Kings expanded the stupa's grounds and added their own monuments in the same fashion that a Western Hellenic dyanst would make personal contributions to local or prominent temples - instead of erecting a statue or shrine, as one would in Hellas, they dedicated new relics.\n\nThe Saka Kings of Taxila were even more active then their predecessors in this practice, bringing the facility to its pinnacle of function, beauty, and prominence, though it would continue to grow for centuries longer. Around the mound containing the Buddha relics themselves, were a number of monansteries and a huge number of small stupas, with the personal dedications of local and even distant officials scattered across the grounds in the form of smaller stupas - more delicately constructed reflections of the great mound itself.
{fourtwo_egyptian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the Dharmaraja Thupa.

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{fourthree} FourThree
{fourthree_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{fourthree_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{fourthree_egyptian} Alexandrou Bomoi Indikoi (Indian Altars of Alexandros)
{fourthree_egyptian_desc}
When Alexandros' men refused to go any farther into the east, on the banks of the Hyphasis River in India, and he realized that he would be forced to finally halt his conquests, he set up twelve pillars to honor the Olympian gods for what they had brought to him so far. Arrian states that, "Then he divided the army into twelve parts and gave orders to build twelve altars, as high as the biggest towers and broader even than towers would be. These were meant as thank offerings to the gods for having brought him victorious so far, and as memorials of his labors." Pliny says that Alexandros erected the altars on the far bank of the river (VI, 21), but Arrian does not say he crossed the river before dedicating them.\n\nThat the pillars were still standing five centuries later is confirmed by the statement of Philostratos that Apollonios of Tyana journeyed to India in the second century A.D. and found the pillars still standing and their inscriptions were still visible. They are the farthest extent of the conquests of the Hellenic world and the possession and maintanence of them would be a goal worthy of any Hellenistic monarch. They provide happiness to some conquerers.
{fourthree_egyptian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at Alexandros set up altars to the gods at the farthest western extent of his travels.

{fourthree_carthaginian} HaMitsbot HaBaleariot (Cyclopean Monuments of the Baleares)
{fourthree_carthaginian_desc}
The pre-Qarthadasti and pre-Romanculture that inhabited the island (lots in common with Sardinia) is called the Talayot culture, after their largest and most unique monuments. Their large circular talaia are massive stone constructions built for defensive purposes, but sometimes inhabited, and they numbered in the hundreds across the islands during the years before the Qarthadastim arrived. The most important religious monuments on the islands were linked to some degree with the talaia and are called "taulas". There is nothing comparable in any other part of the world: a column with capital standing in the middle of temple-like enclosures. They are often as high as 4 meters and some look more like altars for giants than anything humans could use for ceremony or sacrifice. The taulas and talaia are the most important sites for the Balearic peoples and while the Qarthadastim benefited from their relations with the native inhabitants of the islands, other western and northern European peoples would have found much in common with the inhabitants and their architecture.
{fourthree_carthaginian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the Cyclopean Monuments of the Baleares.

{fourthree_nomad} Ustyurt Plateau Sanctuaries
{fourthree_nomad_desc}
On the windswept plains of the Ustyurt Plateau stood stone sculptures of the steppe nomads' heroic ancestors. Erected in times of crisis, these statues were placed around altars where the people honored their gods (the Sun, the Fire, the God of War). At the same time they sought to propitiate their gods. Their descendants could look at the images of the heroes of the past and see models to imitate and be reminded of past glories to be gained anew through courage and prowess.
{fourthree_nomad_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the Ustyurt Plateau Sanctuaries, the unique burial grounds of the Samartians whose tombs also are dedicated to their gods.

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{fourfour} FourFour
{fourfour_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{fourfour_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{fourfour_carthaginian} Mitsbat HaPilaenim (Altar)
{fourfour_carthaginian_desc}
In the 4th century BC, Tripolitania came into conflict with
Greek colonies in Cyrenaica for the limits of their respectives boundaries. According to the legend, this boundary dispute was settled in a unique way. After a period of indecisive battles between both forces, it was agreed that each side should dispatch its fastest runners to finally decide the matter. The runners from each state should depart at a given time from their respective locations and would to set the border at a line drawn from the sea and intersecting the point where the runners met.\n\nThe Qarthadastim sent two runners, the Philaeni brothers, who with their athletic energy covered two- thirds of the distance before they met their rivals from Cyrene. When the Cyrenes, to their dismay, encountered the Qarthadasti runners almost at the eastern end of the Sirt, they Greeks accused the Qarthadastim and the Philaeni brothers of cheating by starting before the appointed time. This led to a lot of discussion between the Qarthadastim and the Greeks from Cyrene. To solve the dispute the Greeks offered the Qarthadastim to choose between moving the boundary closer to Leptis Magna or that the Philaeni brothers to be buried alive at the point they had reached.\n\nThe Philaeni brothers, as a token of their good faith and honesty, decided to be buried alive at the spot they had reached with their effort. Over their graves, the legendary Altars of the Philaeni were erected to mark the division of Cyrenaica and Tripolitania, and to honor the courage of those brave brothers.
{fourfour_carthaginian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the most Altar of the Philaeni

{fourfour_barbarian} Ynys Duwall (Island of Darkness)
{fourfour_barbarian_desc}
The Dark Isle, or Island of Darkness, is the center of the British druids. Councils are held between multiple tribes to determine a peaceful resolution to certain issues that may otherwise lead to war. Druids from all over the Celtic world go to the island to study with the druids there. It is home to many of the greatest minds of theology and philosophy among their number, as well as other professions. The area is filled with forests, groves, and shrines to their many gods and spirits. What may seem surprising is the actual lack of a terrible lot of ornamentation for such an important place. This may be to make it inconspicous though. Riches and goods are brought to the meeting places as some decoration, but mostly there are only votive statues and pools with discarded weapons and armor of enemies, and places for discarding the remains of sacrifices.\n\nHistorically, the island was of repeated importance, and the site of numerous slaughters. Material finds on Anglesey and the nearby islands turn up coins and votive objects to Celtic deities. The Romans tell us specifically this was the seat of the druids, which is born out later by the desire of the then pagan Laigini of Ireland to conquer the area in the 4th and 5th centuries possibly on religious grounds initially, before being driven out by the Brythonic warlord Cunedda, his son, and grandson. The Irish were finally driven off from their last enclave in a terrible, mutual massacre that saw much of both sides die. Yet later, the Danes would raid the island and lay waste to it, all but annihilating the population.\n\nThe most key evidence to its importance comes from the Roman Tacitus (Annals, Book XIV, Chapter 30), and with it probably the most important of such mass bloodsheds associated with the island. The Romans had gone to remove the druids as a factor from British politics; their religious and secular authority amongst the tribes was too great to leave unchecked. In this time, the queen Boudicca would begin her revolt, while the Romans were concerned with the druids. Tacitus tells us of the battle on the island, with druids chanting and women running through the British battle line with torches, to, successfully, illicit fear from the Romans. The Romans though, not wishing to be ashamed for 'yielding to a troop of women', proceeded in their attack, and slaughtered the druids, and proceeded to raze every holy site to the ground. Here he describes 'the natives stained their altars with blood' in this place, and read the entrails of the dying for omens. With the destruction of the site, and the slaughter of the druids of Britain, the only organized Celtic religious remained in Ireland, who possessed their own holy sites and druids. Without their influence, the Britons would be far easier to keep in check.
{fourfour_barbarian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction of the most holy site of the druids. Your name is chanted in thanks to the gods!

{fourfour_egyptian} Varkana Drubustih (Hyrkanian Defensive Wall)
{fourfour_egyptian_desc}
The Arsakid Dynasty built this monumental construction over earlier Achaemenid defense works to protect Parthia from the invasions of the northern nomad tribes. It is one of the most outstanding and gigantic architectural monuments in history, second only to the Great Wall of China as the largest defensive wall in the world. The wall begins at at the coast of the Vaurukesh (today known as the Caspian Sea), circles to the north of Gonbade Kâvous, continues northwest, and vanishes behind the Piškamar Mountains. It is 100 miles long and roughly 20 to 30 feet wide. Forty fortresses were spaced at intervals of 6 to 30 miles so any one fort could provide assistance to another in times of need.\n\nSTRATEGY: Population growth bonus: -0.5 (Sauromatae and Saka)
{fourfour_egyptian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the Hyrkanian Defensive Wall, a wall built to protect the Parthians from the invasions of the northern nomadic tribes.

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{fourfive} FourFive
{fourfive_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{fourfive_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!


{fourfive_egyptian} Alexandrou Bomoi Eschatoi (Alexander's Furthest Altars)
{fourfive_egyptian_desc}
Arrian states that Megas Alexandros set up his northernmost altars, dedicated to Dionysos, on the mount slopes above the city of Alexandreia-Eschate. Pliny states that "Beyond are the Sogdiani and the town of Panda, and on the farthest confines of their territory Alexandria, founded by Alexander the Great. At this place there are altars set up by Hercules and Father Liber, and also by Cyrus and Samiramis and by Alexander, all of whom found their limit in this region of the world, where they were shut in by the river Syr Darya, which the Scythae call the Silis and which Alexander and his soldiers supposed to be the Don. But this river was crossed by Demodamas, the general of King Seleucus and King Antiochus, whom we are chiefly following in this part of our narrative; and he set up altars to Apollo Didymaeus." (6.18.49)
{fourfive_egyptian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction of the altars of Alexandros.

{fourfive_barbarian} Sammallahdenmaki Cairns
{fourfive_barbarian_desc}
In 1500 BC, what is now a shallow lake of Saarnijarvi, was a gulf of the Baltic Sea. Upon the cliffs of this inlet, a settlement was built. Its inhabitants strived on fishing, birding and hunting. The climate was warmer and more hospitable than it is today.\n\nIn the beginning of the Bronze Age, a scandinavian culture expanded to Western Finland, bringing with itself vast changes in culture and lifestyle. The newcomers brought with themselves metal tools and weapons, as well as new religious practices: ceremonial cremation and building of large stone barrows, the Cairns. The landscape of Finland is full of stones, rocks and boulders, left after the ice age, and they are a natural building material here. Nowhere is it more visible than in the cairn field of Sammallahdenmaki. Over 40 graves stand on the rocky cliffs, once overlooking the stormy northern sea. This necropolis was in use by the locals for over a thousand years, with last graves being built as late as the threshold of Christian Era, bearing witness to development of native civilization over the centuries. Two of the largest constructions, the quadrangular "Church Floor" and dike-like "Long Ruin" spread over tens of meters in length and width, and could without overstatement be called "scandinavian pyramids". Nowhere in all of Scandinavia could such massive Bronze Age monuments be found, and this place was certainly an important center of religious practice in days of old.\n\nAs centuries passed, the sea receded, climate has worsened, and the necropolis, along with the dwelling site south of it, fell into ruin and lay forgotten in the deep forest, but the massive graves remained, remnants of former glory of those who lived here long ago.
{fourfive_barbarian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the only enormous stone cairns in regions around Scandinavia.

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{foursix} FourSix
{foursix_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{foursix_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{foursix_carthaginian} HaNuraghim HaSardinim (Sardinian Nuraghi)
{foursix_carthaginian_desc}
Approximately 7,000 nuraghi (single stone towers in the shape of a cone) dot the landscape of Sardinia. Although most of the towers were constructed in the Bronze Age, they were still in use during Qarthadasti and Roman times. Their development seems to have been indigenous to Sardinia, but they are similar in some respects to the other "cyclopean" constructions constructed throughout the Mediterranean in the Bronze Age.\n\nThe nuraghi, which had flat, ladder-accessible roofs that aided defenders, usually had a defensive purpose. They were especially troublesome for any group that wanted to to control the native inhabitants of the island's mountainous interior. Throughout the Qarthadasti hegemony they provided places of refuge for the native Sardinians when conflicts occurred with their foreign rulers. The Romans also had difficulties eliminating the native Sardinian resistance because of the nuraghi. In later Roman times they became a center of festivals and cults and they housed shrines to various gods. Many remain central gathering places even today.
{foursix_carthaginian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction of the Sardinian Nuraghi. Don't ask us why, but you did it.

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{fourseven} FourSeven
{fourseven_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{fourseven_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

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{foureight} FourEight
{foureight_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{foureight_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{foureight_egyptian} (Border Trade Resource)
{foureight_egyptian_desc}
This province has neighbors whom it trades with frequently, neighbors who are not on the map and thus not able to be represented by the RTW engine. This "building" makes up for some of the income the province should be getting, but that is currently left out as a result of the map's edges not taking that trade into account.\n\nThe province of Erythraia received some trade with provinces to the south along the east African coast. It has a bonus of 1 added to its trade base income.
{foureight_egyptian_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{foureight_barbarian} Erxnaxmaroz (The Shining Stone)
{foureight_barbarian_desc}
Erχn-aχmaroz\n(ER-khn-A-khma-roz, "Holy vaulted stone Chamber," known more commonly today as 'Externsteine')\n\nIn the Southeastern part of the Osning (Teutoburg) Forest, in the lands of the Xeruskōzez (Cherusci), there are thirteen remarkable free-standing sandstone rocks, some reaching heights of up to thirty-eight meters. The stones were first used by ancient European peoples and later by Germanic tribes as a holy site of worship. Cultic activities involving sacrifices would have been held at the site with shaman/priests and priestesses (guthjonez), male and female witches (weixonez) who might have predicted the future through astrology and resided near the stones. Every solstice an important event takes place within the megaliths: the sun's light falls precisely on the rock of the rear wall of the destroyed observatory and light shines through a specific hole, reflecting on a particular stone in such a way that its point is illuminated by the light; this is thought to represent Wāthonoz (or Deiwoz as the original god of War) hanging from the World Tree.
{foureight_barbarian_desc_short}
You have repaired the destruction at the megalith formations of the Shining Stone used by the early European peoples for worship and astronomical purposes.


{foureight_carthaginian} Mis'har 'Abor Gbulot (Border Trade Resource)
{foureight_carthaginian_desc}
This province has neighbors whom it trades with frequently, neighbors who are not on the map and thus not able to be represented by the RTW engine. This "building" makes up for some of the income the province should be getting, but that is currently left out as a result of the map's edges not taking that trade into account.\n\nThe provinces of Turdetania received some trade with provinces to the south along the west African coast, as did Mauretania Tingitana. Phasania received a small amount of inland trade with nomads across the Sahara. These provinces have bonuses of 1 added to their trade base income.
{foureight_carthaginian_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{foureight_greek} Hiera Nemea (Nemean Games)
{foureight_greek_desc}
The Nemean Games are biennial. They are held in July and August on the years when there are no Olympic or Pythian Games, in the second and fourth years of the Olympic cycle (e.g., 271, 269, 267, etc.).\n\nThe Nemean Games were celebrated in honor of Zeus, as were the Olympic Games themselves. The first Nemean Games were held in 573 BC, slightly later than the other great panhellenic festivals and more than likely directly emulating the Olympic Games. Kleonai, the polis next to Nemea, had control of the site and the festival, but they were close enough that Argos was ultimately in control of the games, and the conduct of the festival was handed over to Argos at some time preceding the destruction of the sanctuary at the end of the fifth century. The mythological origins of the games were funerary in nature, honoring the infant Opheltes and a heroon for him was an important feature at the site. These funerary origins caused the hellanodikai to wear black robes during the festival. The games were held biennially, in the second and fourth years of the Olympic festival, in late July or August. It lasted several days and there were gymnic, equestrian, and musical events, as well as a special competition between heralds. The contestants were sorted in three categories: boys, youths, and men.
{foureight_greek_desc_short}
You have repaired the damage done to the athletic facilities and the stadium at Nemea so that the Nemean Games may continue.

{foureight_nomad} (Border Trade Resource)
{foureight_nomad_desc}
This province has neighbors whom it trades with frequently, neighbors who are not on the map and thus not able to be represented by the RTW engine. This "building" makes up for some of the income the province should be getting, but that is currently left out as a result of the map's edges not taking that trade into account.\n\nThe province of Sai Yavuga received a good deal of land trade with many provinces to the east. It has a bonus of 2 added to its trade base income.
{foureight_nomad_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

¬---------------------------

{fournine} FourNine
{fournine_desc}
WARNING! This baseline description should never appear on screen!
{fournine_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{fournine_carthaginian} (Border Trade Resource)
{fournine_carthaginian_desc}
This province has neighbors whom it trades with frequently, neighbors who are not on the map and thus not able to be represented by the RTW engine. This "building" makes up for some of the income the province should be getting, but that is currently left out as a result of the map's edges not taking that trade into account.\n\nThe province of Diamat received a good deal of trade with provinces to the south along the east African coast, and some trade to the south by land as well. It has a bonus of 2 added to its trade base income.
{fournine_carthaginian_desc_short}
WARNING! This baseline short description should never appear on screen!

{fournine_macedon} Hiera Olympia (Olympic Games)
{fournine_macedon_desc}
The Olympic Games are quadrennial. They are held in July and August, in the first year of the Olympic cycle (e.g., 272, 268, 264, etc.).\n\nBest known of all the panhellenic festivals, the Olympic Games were the oldest as well. It originated from local contests at Elis which attracted an increasing number of competitors and spectators from nearby poleis. The traditional date for the establishment of the games was 776, but they most developed in the seventh century. The other festivals in the sixth century underwent organization to emulate the Olympic Games more and form a set of four central panhellenic contests. The stadion was the original contest, but the mythological origin centers around a chariot race. The contests were held at the sanctuary of Zeus and in his honor. Competitors came from a range across the Hellenic world, from the Peloponessos, all of mainland Hellas, the Hellenic poleis of Asia Minor, Italia, Sikelia, and even Hellenes from Aigyptos and Kyrenaia.\n\nThe journey to and from Olympia was difficult and the site was very crowded. The games were held in the summer months (July and August) and it was very hot almost always; a few deaths from contestants and spectators by heat stroke probably was quite common. The games were held over five days, especially on the third. Contests ranged from the stadion itself to many other types of foot races, chariot and cart races, even races where the rider would jump off their horse and run for the last lap alongside their mounts. That last contest didn't last long though - not many people were interested in it. Boxing, pankration, and wrestling contests didn't always draw the most competitors. The Spartans generally did not enter boxing or pankration matches because they did not want to have to concede defeat (which was usually required in them) to their opponents. Wrestlers lost after being thrown three times.
{fournine_macedon_desc_short}
You have repaired the facilities and the racecourses at Olympia where the Olympic Games are held.

{fournine_eastern} Karahunj (Singing Stones)
{fournine_eastern_desc}
The standing stones of Karahunj, the most likely translation for which is 'Singing Stones', are situated 200 km south-east of Armavir (modern day Yerevan). These massive stones, numbering over 200 in number, are crafted from massive basalt blocks and each weigh up to 10 tonnes. Spanning an area of 7 hectares the stones are believed to be the earliest example of a human observatory, in use for over 5,000 years and built about 7,500 years ago.\n\nSuch dating makes them earlier monuments than the Pyramids of Egypt, or the Stonehenge of England, and obviously such dating is highly controversial. Paris Herouni, a scientist and radio physicist, has worked with the stones for many years, and believes his measurements prove beyond doubt that these stones were first placed some 7,500 years ago and the site was in use until roughly 2,500 years ago.\n\nThe stones are placed in specific points and holes, carved into the stone and showing signs of sophisticated tool work, point toward various points on the horizon. At certain times of the year these holes would be used to observe prominent stars as they made their way across the sky; their rising and falling at the horizon precisely coinciding with the 'telescopic' holes through which they were measured. By measuring on what parts of the horizon the holes fell, whilst using the precise mechanics that govern the earth's movement along its axis and four telescopic measurements, Herouni argues that the monuments were first created 2,500 years before the Egyptian and Sumerian civilisations. Stars that once passed through the holes at certain times of the year no longer do, but by knowing the co-ordinates of the stars now, Herouni has been able to count backward in time until such a point where the sky represented what the ancient of people of that culture would have seen and thus begun to measure.\n\nThe monument itself was most likely a temple complex, for of the 223 stones that Herouni numerated, only 84 had holes useful for the measuring of the heavens. A central circle of stones without holes most likely comprised the original monument, with the observatory and teaching areas being added over time as the development of the culture made further and further discoveries about the stars. A well developed and successful culture must have been at the heart of this religious observation of the stars, for such precise measurements require a written language and knowledge of mathematics and precision stone tools - it is no wonder then that Herouni posits that Hayasdan could well have been the birth-place of the great civilisations who followed in this reverance of the stars.\n\nHerouni's calculations do question some fundamental conclusions about early civilisations, but they have been supported by Prof. G. S. Hawkins, a prominent scholar who specialises in ancient stone monuments. Further study and new interest should place Karahunj center-stage in the study of early human civilisation and allow us another way to reach back into our own past. Not bad for a bunch of stones on a hill.
{fournine_eastern_desc_short}
These great stones, so old and worn have been re-erected where they once stood and this has please the local tribes of Hayasdan. Some say that these stones can be used to measure the stars, or are the remains of some great temple built by the first people of this region. Whatever their history, they stand once more thanks to your benevolence.

{fournine_roman} Garganus Mons et Foresta Umbra (Mount Gargano and the Ghostly Forest)
{fournine_roman_desc}
"In Daunia, on a hill by the name of Drium, are to be seen two hero-temples: one, to Calchas, on the very summit, where those who consult the oracle sacrifice to his shade a black ram and sleep in the hide, and the other, to Podaleirius, down near the base of the hill, this temple being about one hundred stadia distant from the sea and from it flows a stream which is a cure-all for diseases of animals. In front of this gulf is a promontory, Garganum, which extends towards the east for a distance of three hundred stadia into the high sea doubling the headland, one comes to a small town, Urium, and off the headland are to be seen the Islands of Diomedes. This whole country produces everything in great quantity, and is excellent for horses and sheep; but though the wool is softer than the Tarantine, it is not so glossy. And the country is well sheltered, because the plains lie in hollows." (--Strabo, Geography, VI, 3,9)\n\nThe Gargano penninsula is the 'spur' in the boot that is Italia, a region of high rocky cliffs and ridges that abuts into the sea with a towering promontory known in our times as Druim. The Gargano mountain itself is home to the most ancient shrine in Western Europe, that a place of homage to the Graeci oracle Calchas, who laughed himself to death when his foretold day of demise did not seem to come. As Strabo mentions, seekers of knowledge would sacrifice a black ram to the seer's shade, and sleep within the cave to recieve his visions in their dreams. Gargano is covered by and surrounded with the deep recesses of the Umbral Forest, an absolutely ancient green woodland famous for its trees of tremendous size and its thick overhead canopy of forest that prevents sunlight from coming through, giving rise to its name as the 'shadow' or 'ghostly' forest. The Foresta Umbra is today the only remaining part in Italy of the ancient Black Forest. The Roman poet Horace mentiones the forest and Gargano in his Odes, Book II, IX.
{fournine_roman_desc_short}
You have repaired the damage to the shrine.

[oudysseos]

This is a list of proposed material. None of these Wonders are in EB1, and they may or may not be used for EB2.

British Isles

Vale of the White Horse
Ridgeway, Sweet Track, etc.
Cliffs of Moher
Croagh Padraig
Dun Aengus

Gaul

Germania, the Baltic and Thrace

Iberia

Italy

Filitosa, Corsica

Greece and the Balkans

Africa

Egypt

Mouseion and Library of Alexandria
Temple to Horus at Edfu

Arabia

Asia Minor

Temple of Apollo at Didyma

Persia, Mesopotamia and the Caucasus

Masada

India

Sudarsana Lake in Saurashtra

Far East

[oudysseos]

Here are some ideas to start all of you off with: some wonderous features that I think would be worthwhile looking into. These are just suggestions- feel free to look anywhere within the EB world.

The Idaean Cave on Crete
Karatepe in Cilicia
Pithecussae Island (Iscia) of Italy
Jebel Aqra/Mount Casios in Phoenicia
The Corycian Cave in Greece
The Severn Bore (tides make the river flow backwards) and the Two Kings
The Fiery Pool of Sulis
Droitwich Salt Springs in Worcestershire

[WinsingtonIII]

Well, I don't know how much help I can be with finding new wonders that you guys have not already heard about, so I'll just try to help with researching some of the suggestions.

The Idaean Cave on Crete

CAUTION: The image is quite big!
http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/23458124.jpg

The Idaean Cave, located on Mt. Ida, is thought to be the most important cave of Greek antiquity. The cave, and the mountain it is located on, receive their names from the Cretan nymph known as Ida or Ideia. Interestingly enough, Greek mythology tells of two nymphs by this name, the first of which lived on Mt. Ida, the highest point in Crete (at 2456m), and second of which lived on a different Mt. Ida, located in the Phrygia region of Asia Minor, near the ancient city of Troy.

The Cretan nymph Ida is closely linked to Cretan mythical stories, which were somewhat influenced by those of Asia Minor. She is said to be the daughter of Corybas, a priest of the goddess Cybele. Cybele, the mother goddess, was worshiped as a goddess of fertility and nature, and is also considered to be the forebear of the Corybantes, the mountain-gods or demons of Asia Minor and who were on Crete associated with the Curetes, a type of vegetation demons. Ida is sometimes referred to as the wife of Lycastos, the son of the Cretan king Minos. She is even mentioned as a partner of Zeus, with whom she propagated Cres, the mythical father of the Cretan tribe.

The Idaean Cave itself is a site of major importance in Greek mythology. It is in fact known as the site where Zeus' mother Rhea took Zeus and hid him after giving birth to him in the Diktaean Cave, for fear that his father Kronos would swallow him. According to some stories, it was in this cave that Ida and her sister Adrasteia reared Zeus. It is thus no surprise that the Idaean Cave became an important cult place in which many worshipers left offerings to the gods.

The cavern became a place to worship in Neolithic times, and retained this function in the Minoan era. During the Minoan era, it was most likely dedicated to the Cretan mother goddess Cybele, the previously mentioned mother of the nymph Ida. With the arrival of the Achaean invaders in the Mycenaean period, new gods were introduced, and with this came the myth of the rearing of Zeus in the Idaean Cave. In the Hellenistic and Roman periods it retained much of its glory, but with the coming of Christianity it ceased to have any religious importance and became a shelter for shepherds. During the time of its religious importance, worshipers would leave offerings made of ivory and other precious materials. The importance of the sanctuary is indicated by the huge number of broken clay lamps found in the cave, which would have provided light to the worshipers. Archaeologists have also uncovered important examples of metalwork of the Geometric Period and bronze votive shields (late 8th-7th c. BC) with incised and hammered scenes, among the most exquisite artworks of the ancient world. One of the shields depicts Zeus in the center surrounded by Curetes with drums, a direct reference to the myth of his upbringing, in which Rhea had the Curetes beat drums and shields to drown out the sound of Zeus crying.

Today, the cave is known as "The Shepherd Girl's Cave" to the local shepherds, and Mt. Ida has been renamed Mt. Psiloritis. However, the cave remains, and work continues to excavate more material to this day.

[KARTLOS]

How about the Nuraghe in Sardinia?


https://img509.imageshack.us/img509/8393/nuraghelosa.jpg

wiki article:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuraghi

i have not been to sardinia, and thus ia am by no means an expert, but i remember seeing them on a program about possible origins for the "sea people".

they predate the EB timeframe, but as many are still standing i presume that much like stonehenge they would have been visible to the inhabitants of the island in EB's timeframe.

they are not at one site, but are dotted around the island. the EB artilcle mentions some of the key sites.

edit: i would suggest that perhaps a bit of creative licence could be taken and one might imagine they would have been a bit taller back then, i am sure that there has been plenty of wear and tear of the last coule of thousand years.

[athanaric]

Nuraghi are already in.


Oudysseus, there seem to be some items missing in your list of EB I wonders, for example the Externsteine (Xeruskolándám) and the Temple of Asklepios and Hygeia (?) in Emporion.

[oudysseos]

First off, thanks Winsington for kicking things off!

Yes, Athanaric, there may be a few from EB1 that I missed- but it's not a big deal if they get posted as suggestions. Anyway I'll have a look and update.

[jazstl]

It's not a wonder, but it could be inclouded.
The great iron mine in Norricum and smiths. Accually i don't know much aboute them, but their weapons were sold in asia minor and even in nord africa.

the second one it could be the Illiryan forts, they were spread all over Balcan. They looked like small castels for local nobility.

http://www.euratlas.com/Atlas/france_provence/ambrussum_oppidum.jpg

[bobbin]

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/White_cliffs_of_dover_09_2004.jpg
New Wonder Proposal: The White Cliffs of Dover
Formed by the same catastrophic event that created the strait of Dover during the last ice age these cliffs have long been the first thing any traveller from the continent would have seen of Britain, going so far as to forming the basis of the first recorded name for the island: Albion (the white isle), their long white line providing a distinctive landmark for traders since the Neolithic times.

A major feature found along the coastline is the Dour river estuary which cuts a steep valley through the cliffs providing the only suitable landing area on that part of the coast. This was the site of a old trading post on which the later roman port of Dubris was built, the port was to become one of the most important in Britain eventually becoming modern day Dover. It was here that the British tribes assembled to oppose Ceasers landing in 55bc, the sight of the forces arrayed on the cliffs above the port convincing him to sail further north to Walmer where the cliffs come to an end before attempting a landing.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d8/Doverbronzeageboat.jpg
In recent times excavations carried out during the construction of the channel tunnel unearthed a sizable boat of at least 11.7m in length and weighing 2.3 tonnes, dating from the bronze age (1600bc) it is believed to have been a true ocean going vessel making it amoung some of the oldest of its type in Europe. This combined with other finds in the area such as the Langdon Bay hoard help to highlight the exstensive trade activity present in the region since the earliest of times.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_cliffs_of_Dover
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strait_of_Dover#Geological_formation
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-thewhitecliffsofdover/w-thewhitecliffs-history.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Britain#The_Neolithic
http://www.canterburytrust.co.uk/hilights/d_boat.htm
http://www.britarch.ac.uk/ba/ba91/feat2.shtml



Some stuff that would be good for province desciption materials for the British isles.
Clochán na bhFómharach (The Giants Causeway) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant%27s_Causeway)
Gleann Mòr (The Great Glen) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Glen)

[Genava]

Edit: It's just beautiful paysages, I think I spam then I put spoilers.

Hahnensee, Grisons:
http://history.swissroots.org/uploads/pics/geography.jpg

Silvaplana, Grisons:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silvaplana
http://www.photoforyou.ch/photos/070525003.jpg

Genava in 80 BC (it's Genava today):
https://img31.imageshack.us/img31/9688/7458780cc6.jpg

Rarogne in Valais, 3500 BC:
https://img31.imageshack.us/img31/4714/b2c5e57fb6.jpg

Some pictures of this museaum exposition:
http://www.musee-vd.ch/fr/musee-d'archeologie-et-dhistoire/expositions/alpes-au-leman/

[AncientFanTR]

http://www.sosauce.com/photo/loadImage2.do?s=IDjgm5tL6Y8I.jpg
How about Mt Chimaera, in Lycia? There are natural methane gas vents from inside to the top of the mountain, and flames constantly burn at the top, night and day, and cannot be put out. At night, the flames sometimes turn green (there must be copper there). It was described to have lions at the top of the mountain (there were lions in anatolia up until a few hundred years ago), goats grazing around the middle, and snakes at its base, hence the monster Chimaera, with a lion's head, goat's body and serpent's tail. Isidore de Seville also suggested that someone named Bellerophon made the mountain inhabitable, therefore defeating the Chimaera (I am not sure where Pegasus fits into it though) It would definitely have been known to the people living there back then, as they made up the story! For those who went there, it would also have been perhaps a religious experience.
http://www.hotel212olympos.com/images/galeri/Olympos/large/Yanartas_1.jpg
http://www.alibabapension.com/images/yanartas.jpg
Mt Chimaera, or Yanaras (meaning burning rock) as it is now knowm is situated 3 km north of the village of Çıralı, near ancient Olympos, in Lycia, now in Antalya region, southwest Turkey.

[Genava]

The sanctuary of Corent, capital of the Arverni before Gergovia:
A City Sanctuary

The first excavations of Corent (1992-1993) gave evidence of a large, Roman-era sanctuary. The sanctuary was organized into a core of large quarters, surrounding a massive gallery upwards of sixty meters across. Its plan coincides exactly with the stone walls which surround the site.

The excavations undertaken from 2001-2005 have shown that this sanctuary was built on the foundations of a Gaul settlement from the end of their era, around 130 BCE. Its walls were originally built with wooden palisades anchored in a deep trench around the base. These first boundaries of the sacred space were replaced in the first century BCE by a gallery on wooden posts connecting the four quarters of the core: this enclosure measured more than 50 meters across and as high as eight meters!

These were to be replaced around the beginning of the Roman era by stone walls, built on top of the remains of the old fortifications. At the time of its construction the plan and elevation of the sanctuary were drawn on an engraving stone for the architects and laborers. The last version of the Roman sanctuary contained a mason-built gallery surrounding a large stone temple, which would be common up until the fourth century CE.

The Feasts of the King Luern

Two rectangular buildings were discovered at the center of the sanctuary. Fixed with ditches with wooden beams for support, these buildings were decorated with sheep skulls and jaws strung together like garland. The surrounding areas were littered with thousands of bones, as well as clay wine carriers imported from the Italian peninsula, and metal culinary utensils (cauldrons, knives, forks, colanders, pails, ladles, spoons). These remains correspond with the tons of meat and the hundreds of gallons of wine consumed within the banquets mentioned in the ancient texts of the Arverne king Luern:

“Luern, to gain the favor of the masses, travelled by wagon throughout the countryside, and threw gold and money at the myriad of Celts who followed him. He enclosed a space of twelve square meters, which he filled with vats of fine drinks, and prepared vast quantities of victuals which, for several days, he allowed those who wished to enter, to taste whatever he may want, to no end.” Source: Posidonius of Apameia (Athenaeus, Deipnosophistae IV 37, 1-19

This festive manifestation of politics was still present around the time of Vercingetorix: In one of his lectures to the masses, the Roman historian Florus spoke of such “festivals held in the sanctuaries.” These festivities presided over by the Arverne leadership took place at the sanctuary at Corent for over a hundred years.

The center of the sanctuary was occupied by masses of circular and square clay pottery: paunches and thighs, laid out in small wood-covered caves, were probably destined to be sacrifices to the gods (some of the remains were human). These recall the “vats filled with wine” of Luern’s festivals.
Varied Offerings.

The enclosing ditch delivered other offerings characteristic of the sanctuaries of this period: human skulls, horse and cow bones, sword fragments, spears and shields, beads of glass, bone and bronze, and horse and boar figurines, all of which illustrate the central role of the sanctuary in the religious, political and economic realms of the Arverne at the end of the Iron Age.

Hundreds of coins were also found in the sanctuary. Traces of a monetary workshop were also discovered in the proximity of the entrance: monetary coins, scrap metal, balances and other precision instruments, as well as small tools were also found. The ability to mint coins, reserved to the great capitols, also recalls the allegory of Luern, who distributed pieces of money from his chariot.

A coin made on-site was enamored with a fox perched upon a chariot. This representative animal was displayed at the entrance of the sanctuary, in the form of exposed skulls with other carnivores such as wolves, wildcats and dogs. The fox, from the Celtic word louernos from which the Gaulic chief took his name, probably symbolized the control exercised by his dynasty from the principal sanctuary of the city.

http://www.luern.fr/Untitled-9_UK.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corent

A video of a rebuilding in 3D:
http://www.court-jus.com/film.php?id=28&type=15

A rebuilding of the oppidum:
http://www.court-jus.com/film.php?id=26&type=15
His name is probably Nemossos => nemeton = sanctuary and nem = sky.

Two illustrations of the sanctuary and the Luern's fest:
https://img18.imageshack.us/img18/916/luernfest.jpg
https://img39.imageshack.us/img39/4983/sanctuaryofcorent.jpg


Edit: I restructured my post.

[bobbin]

Wasn't Corent a later development? All I've found on it suggested use starting around 150bc.

It would be nice to have it in though, maybe even a wine sacrifice trait to go with it too!:beam:

[WinsingtonIII]

First off, thanks Winsington for kicking things off!

No problem, I can help out with more if you want.

Do you want me to add links to the specific sources (they're just internet not books) I used for the Idaean Cave, or is it OK without them?

[nazgool]

Hello All,
First of All I want to apologize for my terrible English :dizzy2:.
Mount Ślęża
Ślęża (German: Zobten or Zobtenberg, also Silingi) is a mountain in the Sudetes foothills (Pogórze Sudeckie) in Lower Silesia, southern Poland. This natural reserve built mostly of granite is 718 m high and covered with forests. The area was described by Ptolemy as Asciburgius in Magna Germania.
http://fotogalerie.pl/fotki/upload/27/36/73/2736731154547064861.jpg
http://www.glob-bielsko.com.pl/pliki/Image/slezy.jpg

The growth of the shrine is associated with Boii in 4 century BC.
At the top of the mount there are stone monuments like this
http://www.zgapa.pl/zgapedia/data_pictures/_uploads_wiki/p/Poland_mount_Sleza_-_ancient_cult_figure.jpg
and this
http://marekwro.terramail.pl/mnich.jpg
There is diagonal cross on this monuments which is probably a solar symbol
http://www.halat.pl/slezarzezby05.jpg
In this area also was found ~100 celtic graves and some traces of a celtic settlements.

Once again sorry for my english. I hope that there is sense in my post :)

[Macilrille]

I would like to repeat something from OP Oudysseos;

2. Look at the list of Wonders already in EB or already proposed. Posting something that is already there just wastes everyone's time. A search of the thread will help determine if your idea has already been posted.

5. Do the Research. Don't just post a name- we need some information about whatever it is you think should be included. Bear in mind that neolithic sites like Newgrange may well have disappeared by the Iron Age, only to be rediscovered by modern archaeology. We need some evidence that the site was known to the people of EB.

6. Be Original. Do not just copy and paste Wikipedia articles- if you care enough about a cool feature of the ancient world to suggest it to us, care enough to write your own description.

The thread/posts already deviates far from these few simple guidelines, in fact only Winsington and Nazgool has tried to keep them.

Come on guys, show some discipline and respect for the team. Consider this a scientific article. If you want it published it must be well-researched and well-written. If I sent "Historisk Tidsskrift" (well-respected magazine for academic historians here in Denmark) a link to a Wiki article or wrote five lines I would never be taken seriously by my peers again.

Show some discipline, restraint and effort, this is a gift to us from the team (they include us in the process and we get to leave a mark on a very specific and high-profile part of EBII). If you want it included, do the job.

Thank you

[AncientFanTR]

Another suggestion: Mt Nemrut. it is in Eastern Turkey, 40 km north of Kahta, near Adiyaman.
Unfortunately, it was built around 60BC, which makes it inside the timeframe, but quite far in. It was made as the administrative and religious center of the Komagenne Kingdom, a successor of the Seleucids. They were essentially Greek, but extremely heavily influenced by Armenian and Iranian culture. They worshipped Armenian-Zoroastrian-Greek hybrid gods such as Apollo-Mithras, Zeus-Aramazd and Hercules-Vaghan. They also worshipped the Seleukid royal family as gods. The Kommagene kingdom, under Seleukid rule was declared independent by the satrap, Ptolemaios. It remained independent until the Romans conquered them later, though fell in and out of Roman rule many times, until being definitively conquered in 72AD. The complex consisted of huge, seated statues, including the gods, kings and sacred animals such as eagles. (the heads of the statues are still visible) It would have been very important to the locals, as it was the religious centre of their kingdom.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ad/Mount_Nemrut.jpg Don't worry it's just a picture!
http://www.mtmholidays.com/prodimages/mt-nemrut-antioch.jpg
http://www.wayfaring.info/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/nemrut_dag_turkey_01.jpg
It is very interesting, but I don't know if it can be made that it appears after the Seleucids have been destroyed etc?

[bobbin]

Mt Sleza is already in the mod as far a I'm aware.


Edit: updated my proposal as well.

[Genava]

Tomb of Lars Porsena

The tomb of the Etruscan king Lars Porsena, built around 500 BCE at Clusium (modern Chiusi), Italy, was described as follows by the Roman writer Marcus Varro (116-27 BCE):

"Porsena was buried below the city of Clusium in the place where he had built a square monument of dressed stones. Each side was three hundred feet in length and fifty in height, and beneath the base there was an inextricable labyrinth, into which, if any-body entered without a clue of thread, he could never discover his way out. Above this square building there stand five pyramids, one at each corner and one in the centre, seventy-five feet broad at the base and one hundred and fifty feet high. These pyramids so taper in shape that upon the top of all of them together there is supported a brazen globe, and upon that again a petasus from which bells are suspended by chains. These make a tinkling sound when blown about by the wind, as was done in bygone times at Dodona. Upon this globe there are four more pyramids, each a hundred feet in height, and above them is a platform on which are five more pyramids.+

This extraordinary structure, standing some 750 feet high, was supposedly destroyed along with Clusium itself in 89 BCE by the Roman general Cornelius Sulla. No trace of it has ever been found, and historians have generally regarded Varro’s account as a gross exaggeration at best, and downright fabrication at worst. However, it now appears that archaeologists have been looking in the wrong place, and ancient Clusium may well have been closer to Florence than modern Chiusi.

A attempt of drawing the tomb
http://www.sacred-texts.com/etc/ml/img/fig013.jpg




Wasn't Corent a later development? All I've found on it suggested use starting around 150bc.
Yes, but I think it's possible to include the sanctuary as a special building to build during the second century BC. I don't know if it's possible to make a wonder building during the game.

[burn_again]

Oudysseus, there seem to be some items missing in your list of EB I wonders, for example the Externsteine (Xeruskolándám) and the Temple of Asklepios and Hygeia (?) in Emporion.

I was going to propose the Externsteine when I saw they were not on the list, but after some research I have doubts if they should be included at all.
It seems that the idea of the Externsteine being a germanic sanctuary was brought up by national-romantic historians in the 19. century and then widely popularized in the 1920s and 1930s. Especially the Nazis tried to see a "germanic Stonehenge" in the Externsteine. Archaeological evidence however does not support this point of view. Apart from some paleolithic and mesolithic findings, the first evidence for a human presence there comes from the early middle ages. There is no evidence to suggest that the Externsteine were of any religious importance to the locals in the Neolithicum, the Bronze Age, the Iron Age and EBs time frame. While people could have known them as a landmark, nothing implies that they were religious center of the germanic people.

Here is a link to a review (in english) of a book by archaeologist Uta Halle, who has examined the excavations done at the Externsteine in the 1930s and has come to the conclusion that the still popular view of the Externsteine as a germanic sanctuary is just a nationalist fantasy:
http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=11176

[bobbin]

Yes, but I think it's possible to include the sanctuary as a special building to build during the second century BC. I don't know if it's possible to make a wonder building during the game.
As far as I'm aware EB wonder biuldings are just normal buildings unlike the wonders in vanilla RTW so it would be possible to have them built mid game.

[Macilrille]

Another suggestion: Mt Nemrut.
Unfortunately, it was built around 60BC, which makes it inside the timeframe, but quite far in. It was made as the administrative and religious center of the Komagenne Kingdom, a successor of the Seleucids. It consisted of huge, seated statues (the heads are still visible) of kings and Graeco-Persian gods such as Apollo-Mithras
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ad/Mount_Nemrut.jpg
It is very interesting, but I don't know if it can be made that it appears after the Seleucids have been destroyed etc?

Please see the OP again for the criteria, the team will drown in suggestions with Wiki links, as I stated in my post just above this one, we are supposed to do it ourselves!!. So get to work or forget inclusion!

[Reno Melitensis]

Apart fro having many Megalitic Temples here on Malta, like Gigantia ( of Giants), Hagar Qim (Old Stones), Imnajdra, The Hypogium, and The Tarxien Temple Complex, at Marsaxlokk, known during Roman times as Portus Herkuleum, there was a Greco-Punic temple dedicated to Astarte and then to Juno,which was completely looted by Verres, the Roman governor of Sicily and Malta between 73 B.C. and 70 B.C. It is said that the temple was very large and rich, hence the looting by Verres, and as mentioned by Cicero even the pirates infesting the Mediterranean dared not rob it of its riches.

http://www.megalithic.co.uk/a558/a312/gallery/malta/Tas-Silg_Altar.jpg

http://www.megalithic.co.uk/a558/a312/gallery/Roman/Malta/Tas-Silg_South_East.JPG

http://www.danstopicals.com/malta313.JPG

In 1694 two cippi, small columns or pillars of marble, were discovered at the Tas Silg Punic Temple at Marsaxlokk, a fishing village southeast of Valetta on the island of Malta. A “cippus” is a small pillar with an inscription. On these cippi the inscription read, “To our Lord Melkart, the Lord of Tyre. The offerer is thy servant Abd-Osiri, and my brother, Osiri-Shomar, both of us sons of Osiri-Shomar, the son of Abd-Osiri. In hearing their voice, may he bless them.”
The bilingual texts provided the key to deciphering the Phoenician script in the 18th century by Abbe Barthemeley of Paris. In 1964 Malta issued a stamp with a picture of a cippus, and a text in Phoenician script (Punic) and in Greek. I have not been able to determine whether the cippus on the stamp issued by Malta in 1965 is one discovered in 1694, but it seems likely that it is, and in any case they would be similar. One of the two discovered at Marsaxlokk has been preserved in the Phoenician hall at the National Museum of Malta in Valetta.

[bobbin]

https://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g177/0404625/Image1-8.jpg

The Ribemont-Sur-Ancre Battle Shrine
Built between 280-260bc this shrine marks the site of a truely monumental battle between the Belgic Ambiani and the Gallic Armoricani where around eight hundred people are believed to have died. The victorious Ambiani erected this shrine to celebrate the great battle, they decapitated the bodies of the defeated Armoricani warriors taking the heads home with them as trophies, the headless corpses and thousands of weapons collected from the battle feild were hung from a large wooden platform as a clear symbol for all too see of the might of the victors and the power of thier gods.
As for their own dead the Ambiani collected their bones and arranged them into neat cubic structures containing pits into which crushed and burnt bones were cast.
The site continued in this way until it was torn down by the romans around 30bc when a roman temple was erected, this was later expanded in the 1st and 2nd centuries CE becoming a major Gallo-Roman Temple complex of some fifty hectares in size complete with a theater and baths. The last evidence of activity on the site occured around 380bc, it is unknown why the site was abandoned but a combination of Germanic incursions (some of the site had previously been burned at the end of the third century CE) and the rise of Christianinty (Theodosious's prescriptions against paganism started around this time too) are seen as the most likely reasons.


Some Sources
http://www.archeologie-aerienne.culture.gouv.fr/en/decou3-pg9b.htm
http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.ribemontsurancre.cg80.fr/&ei=2A4cS_HSJJGj4Qbpo6XqAg&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CBIQ7gEwAQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dribemont-sur-ancre%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DG
http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=26252
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=f899xH_quaMC&pg=PA1506&lpg=PA1506&dq=ribemont-sur-ancre&source=bl&ots=p_XuacAu-G&sig=9bHzCb9yR0P3lcYQER53cxzN-gE&hl=en&ei=2h8cS8uRF9O04Qb584jVBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CDYQ6AEwCTgK#v=onepage&q=ribemont-sur-ancre&f=false

[oudysseos]

A great start for the first day- there are five or so good ideas there already. I'll update the second post soon. Thanks to everyone for kicking things off.

[Genava]

The Ribemont-Sur-Ancre Battle Shrine
Built between 280-260bc this shrine marks the site of a truely monumental battle between the Belgic Ambiani and the Gallic Armoricani where around eight hundred people are believed to have died. The victorious Ambiani erected this shrine to celebrate the great battle, they decapitated the bodies of the defeated Armoricani warriors taking the heads home with them as trophies, the headless corpses and thousands of weapons collected from the battle feild were hung from a large wooden platform as a clear symbol for all too see of the might of the victors and the power of thier gods.
As for their own dead the Ambiani collected their bones and arranged them into neat cubic structures containing pits into which crushed and burnt bones were cast.
The site continued in this way until it was torn down by the romans around 30bc when a roman temple was erected, this was later expanded in the 1st and 2nd centuries CE becoming a major Gallo-Roman Temple complex of some fifty hectares in size complete with a theater and baths. The last evidence of activity on the site occured around 380bc, it is unknown why the site was abandoned but a combination of Germanic incursions (some of the site had previously been burned at the end of the third century CE) and the rise of Christianinty (Theodosious's prescriptions against paganism started around this time too) are seen as the most likely reasons.

Great:2thumbsup:

This video show several sanctuaries:
http://www.court-jus.com/film.php?id=29&type=15

There exist other very known sanctuaries, as Gournay-sur-Aronde which was built during the 4th century and used during one century whole.
A link in French: http://www.arbre-celtique.com/encyclopedie/sanctuaire-de-gournay-sur-aronde-937.htm

[Ibrahim]

https://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g177/0404625/Image1-8.jpg

now, I'm no squeamish person, but this sight makes me want to throw up. :sick:

this is indeed going to be quite a thing to put in EB; it'll add greatly to the authentic feel.

as for Arabia, I'm afraid there isn't really much: a cube, a temple complex, and a few natural features, all or most of which are already covered :shrug:

a picture of the sabaean temple complex. might be better than the original

http://girlsoloinarabia.typepad.com/photos/12_yemen/maribbarantemple.jpg

[Zarax]

https://img143.imageshack.us/img143/5609/mpramacr7.jpg

Easter island? No, quite a bit closer...

The giants of Monte Prama are part of a series of 40 nuragic statues found near the phoenician colony of Tharros, Sardinia.
Their dating is estimated between XII and VII centuries BC and are considered by some archeologists to be the nuragic equivalent of the terracotta army.
Average height is around 2-2.5m and are supposed to be linked to the Filitosa monument in Corsica through their manufacturing style.

Links are in italian, google translate for english:

This video gives a pretty good idea of how they looked like: http://www.luoghimisteriosi.it/sardegna_montiprama.html

And for once Wikipedia does a pretty good job at suming up most available info: http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giganti_di_Monti_Prama

[Matinius Brutus]

I think this could be interesting - the holy city of Perperikon and probably the site of the Oracle of Dionysus :http://www.perperikon.bg/home.php?cp=10

I'm sorry but I am not a history expert so I thought it would be best to post the link and not interpret it myself.

[oudysseos]

I have been having some troubles with my internet connexion (will be solved soon), so I haven't had a lot of opportunities to update this thread.

So far, the good ideas that were well developed include:


Giants of Monte Parma, Sardinia
Battle Shrines at Ribemont-Sur-Ancre and Gournay-sur-Aronde, Gaul
Tomb of Lars Porsena, Italy
Mt. Nemrut, Asia Minor
Mount Ślęża, Poland (not the same as the Kogaionon, I think.)
Corent, Gaul
Idaean Cave, Crete
Cliffs of Dover, Britain (duh- how did I miss this one?)
Mt Chimaera, Asia Minor
Temple of Astarte/Juno on Malta
The Giant's Causeway, Ireland
The Great Glen, Scotland

[athanaric]

Mount Ślęża is already in EB I, as "Ślęża-Radunia-Complex".

Kogaionon is in Dacia, and already in, too.

[SwissBarbar]

https://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g177/0404625/Image1-8.jpg

The Ribemont-Sur-Ancre Battle Shrine
Built between 280-260bc this shrine marks the site of a truely monumental battle between the Belgic Ambiani and the Gallic Armoricani where around eight hundred people are believed to have died. The victorious Ambiani erected this shrine to celebrate the great battle, they decapitated the bodies of the defeated Armoricani warriors taking the heads home with them as trophies, the headless corpses and thousands of weapons collected from the battle feild were hung from a large wooden platform as a clear symbol for all too see of the might of the victors and the power of thier gods.
As for their own dead the Ambiani collected their bones and arranged them into neat cubic structures containing pits into which crushed and burnt bones were cast.
The site continued in this way until it was torn down by the romans around 30bc when a roman temple was erected, this was later expanded in the 1st and 2nd centuries CE becoming a major Gallo-Roman Temple complex of some fifty hectares in size complete with a theater and baths. The last evidence of activity on the site occured around 380bc, it is unknown why the site was abandoned but a combination of Germanic incursions (some of the site had previously been burned at the end of the third century CE) and the rise of Christianinty (Theodosious's prescriptions against paganism started around this time too) are seen as the most likely reasons.



800 dead is a truly monumental battle? Alexander would have laughed at that.

The monument still is a great example.

[Cecil XIX]

800 dead is a truly monumental battle? Alexander would have laughed at that.

"Every battle is momentous to someone."

[bobbin]

800 dead is a truly monumental battle? Alexander would have laughed at that.

Yes but he was the leader of a large army fighting battles againts the biggest empire in the world, its not really comparable to two small tribes fighting over territory.

800 dead is actually quite high by the way, going by the average ratio of deaths in a battle you could expect to see 10 times that number wounded so the number of participants would certainly have been well over 10000.

[Cartaphilus]

What about the "Toros de Guisando" (bulls of Guisando) in Avila?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulls_of_Guisando

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Toros_de_Guisando.jpg/800px-Toros_de_Guisando.jpg

[oudysseos]

Cartaphilus, I like that. Do you have any information besides wikipedia?

[ziegenpeter]

What about the Externsteine in Germany?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Externsteine

[oudysseos]

Can you do better than a wikipedia link? Mock up a little descriptive paragraph?

[burn_again]

What about the Externsteine in Germany?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Externsteine

...


I was going to propose the Externsteine when I saw they were not on the list, but after some research I have doubts if they should be included at all.
It seems that the idea of the Externsteine being a germanic sanctuary was brought up by national-romantic historians in the 19. century and then widely popularized in the 1920s and 1930s. Especially the Nazis tried to see a "germanic Stonehenge" in the Externsteine. Archaeological evidence however does not support this point of view. Apart from some paleolithic and mesolithic findings, the first evidence for a human presence there comes from the early middle ages. There is no evidence to suggest that the Externsteine were of any religious importance to the locals in the Neolithicum, the Bronze Age, the Iron Age and EBs time frame. While people could have known them as a landmark, nothing implies that they were religious center of the germanic people.

Here is a link to a review (in english) of a book by archaeologist Uta Halle, who has examined the excavations done at the Externsteine in the 1930s and has come to the conclusion that the still popular view of the Externsteine as a germanic sanctuary is just a nationalist fantasy:
http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=11176

[Hax]

There are numerous Buddhist stupas and temples in the area of Gandhara dating from before 200 BC. Let's see what I can find out and I'll post them here.

All in all, Gandhara was a major region in Buddhism; it migrated to China and Tibet from there, and Kukai (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobo_Daishi), a Japanese Buddhist monk was educated by a Gandharan, if I recall correctly (although that was way after the EB timeframe ;))

[Hax]

Proposal: The Mohenjo Daro
Region: Sind
Description:

Mohenjo Daro literally means "Mound of the Dead", in Sanskrit. Apparently, it was one of the largest cities of the Indus Valley Civilisation, having over more than 35,000 inhabitants at some point. The greatness of the city was also shown by the fact that most houses contained bathrooms, and the upper class houses had interior courtyards. As opposed to the later Mauryan Emperors, the inhabitants of Mohenjo Daro used very little stone in its construction; most houses were created with timber and mud brick, as was also common in Mesapotamia. There have also been excavations of a huge bathhouse, 12 by 7 metres, which was later found out to be a heated bath. Apart from that, there was also found a "granary"(though it's unknown whether it truly was a granary), an assembly hall, a college building or university. There is also evidence to support that people had been engaged in crafting ivory and copper tools, terracotta pottery, glazed ornaments and steatite beads.

The city of Mohenjo Daro was abandoned around 1900 BC, but interestingly enough, there is some evidence to suggest there were later repopulations; as suggested by the evidence of Buddhist monasteries and a stupa within the citadel. This Buddhist stupa actually dates from the second century AD, I've found, which is past EB's timeframe. However, it is interesting to note that the construction of a stupa, which is an important building in Buddhism, was created, and it suggests that by the second century AD, there had been a sizeable Buddhist population.

All in all, Mohenjo Daro is a great example of Iron Age life in the Indus Valley; the presence of jewelry, divided classes, specialized crafts, criminality and a huge population clearly shows that the area of Gandara knows an ancient urban history.

Map of the citadel
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/archaeology/sites/images/mohenjodaro.jpg

Bath and granary area
http://www.mohenjodaro.net/images/greatbathgranary23.jpg

Lower Town area, Kushan Stupa in background
http://www.mohenjodaro.net/images/mohenjodarostupa14.jpg

The great bath
http://www.mohenjodaro.net/images/greatbath30.jpg

Well
http://www.mohenjodaro.net/images/granarywell42.jpg

The skeleton room; 14 skeletons were found here, believed to be the remnants of a mass murder.
http://www.mohenjodaro.net/images/HRarea54.jpg

Sources:
Wikipedia.org (http://en.wikipedia.org/Mohenjo_Daro)
Mohenjo Daro.com (http://www.mohenjodaro.net/index.html) (created by Dr. John M. Kenoyer, a professor of anthropology at the University of Wisconsin, 2005)
Mohenjo Daro (http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/archaeology/sites/middle_east/mohenjo_daro.html) (created by the University of Minnesota, 1999)

==========================================================================

[penguinking]

I propose The Necropolises of Tarquinia as a potential wonder. These tombs, built by the Etruscans from the 6th to the 5th centuries BC, are the largest ancient necropolis in the Mediterranean. Over 6,000 tombs are located in Tarquinia, some of which boast beautiful wall paintings. Over 1,000 more tombs are located in Cerveti, a city very close to Tarquinia.
https://i476.photobucket.com/albums/rr123/White_Lion_photo/Tarquinia_Tomb_of_the_Leopards.jpg

https://i476.photobucket.com/albums/rr123/White_Lion_photo/flickr-62860265-image.jpg

One of the most famous tombs is the Tomb of Hunting and Fishing, made around 520 BC.

https://i476.photobucket.com/albums/rr123/White_Lion_photo/SuperStock_1039-15490.jpg

[HFox]

Carnac

Damn them frenchies!!

It sent shivers up me spine when I saw it fifteen years ago and I still remember it.....and at my age that's saying something! :)

some reference stuff here

http://www.megalithia.com/brittany/carnac/index.html

with other megalithia source stuff that may/may not be of use.

This looks good for Ireland

http://www.megalithia.com/newgrange/index.html

and this map may be of interest

http://www.megalithia.com/introgmap.html

but its only the UK but there may be other wider examples of this.


My vote still goes for the Great Dam of the Saba'a.....which is already listed.


All the best....and looking forward to the fruits of your labours.

[SolAurum]

Maybe these were mentioned... but as I haven't seen them...

Ireland seems sorely neglected by the suggestions here. I propose Knowth or Meath as a possible wonder. Just wikipedia it :)

[ziegenpeter]

Hello fellow EB-fans!
I got a suggestion for germania:
Opfermoor von Niederdorla (lit: Marches of sacrifice, Niederdorla)
Unfortunatly, I don't have the time/skills to translate the textes, so I provide the links I got, hoping someone could help out:
http://www.opfermoor.de/
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opfermoor_Niederdorla

[oudysseos]

Maybe these were mentioned... but as I haven't seen them...

Ireland seems sorely neglected by the suggestions here. I propose Knowth or Meath as a possible wonder. Just wikipedia it :)

Uh, can't do any better than that?

This is not the kind of suggestion that I was hoping for. Not only did SolAurum not bother to develop the idea or make a short presentation, he also didn't specify much: Meath is a large county in Ireland and contains many sites of historical interest. If by 'Knowth', he really means the Brú na Bóinne complex, which includes the passage graves of Newgrange, Knowth, and Dowth, then we'd have to look at some evidence for what the state of these sites was in 3rd to 1st centuries BCE: in case you didn't know it, SolAurum, these sites were already at least 3,000 years old by the time of EB. Newgrange, as it stands today (only an hours drive from my family's farm, by the way), is a reconstruction: in EBs time all the graves were likely just grassy mounds.

Having said that, the Boyne Valley area as well as the soi-disant "Royal" sites of Ireland are all excellent material for wonders, if anyone would care to do a little real research.


Mohenjo Daro, the Etruscan Necropolises, and the Ziggurat of Ur (from the TWC thread) are all good suggestions and will be considered.

[oudysseos]

Ziegenpeter, ich glaube das das Opfermoor ist schon drin, aber ich schaue nach.

[ziegenpeter]

Ah nice! Didn't know you are german too.
I don't know how many wonders you are going to implement per region...
One major problem of germania is that there are some sites wich were surely central in cultural life, but we don't have findings (AFAIK) and few sources and/or sources only for later times. Druidenstein of Altenkrichen(supposed to be a Thingplace of the Chatti),Struckberg, maybe Blocksberg and Heligoland(holy place of the Frisians to the god Foseti in later times) e.g.

[oudysseos]

First off, ich bin gar nicht Deutsch. Mann braucht nicht Deutsch sein um Deutschsprachig zu werden.

Second, there's no real limit as such, either in how many total wonders or how many per province: of course, the amount of work required is always a limiting factor. But with the Province Buildings new to EB2, there is opportunity to highlight much more of the unique character of each region.

[NikosMaximilian]

Proposed Wonder: The Incense Route

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2c/Mer_rouge1b.jpg



"The Incense trade route or the Incense Road of Antiquity comprised a network of major ancient trading routes linking the Mediterranean world with Eastern sources of incense (and spices), stretching from Mediterranean ports across the Levant and Egypt through Arabia to India. The incense trade flourished from South Arabia to the Mediterranean between roughly the 3rd century BCE to the 2nd century CE.[1] The Incense Route served as a channel for trading of goods such as Arabian frankincense and myrrh;[1] Indian spices, ebony, silk and fine textiles;[2] and East African rare woods, feathers, animal skins and gold.[2]"

I think it would be good to add some extra lure to those regions in Africa. Even with all the current wonders and fertilty, I believe it doesn't truly represent the amount of trade the region had, specially the naval trading routes to India.

Proposed Wonder: Curonian Spit (Kuršių Nerija)

http://www.bicycle.lt/images/seaside/maps/EN2.jpg

http://www.egotravel.lt/userfiles/products/lithuania4.jpg


"Human habitation of this elongated sand dune peninsula, 98 km long and 0.4-4 km wide, dates back to prehistoric times. Throughout this period it has been threatened by the natural forces of wind and waves. Its survival to the present day has been made possible only as a result of ceaseless human efforts to combat the erosion of the Spit, dramatically illustrated by continuing stabilisation and reforestation projects.

According to Baltic mythology, the Curonian Spit was formed by a giantess, Neringa, who was playing on the seashore. This child also appears in other myths (in some of which she is shown as a young strong woman, similar to a female version of the Greek Heracles).

The Curonian Spit was formed about 5,000 years ago. From ca. 800 to 1016, it was the location of Kaup, a major pagan trading centre which has not been excavated yet


Increase in tradable goods? A bit more of luring players towards the Baltic.
5% happiness bonus?

Proposed Wonder: Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Thracian_Tomb_of_Kazanlak.jpg

http://uploads.bestbgproperties.com/images/tracian_thomb.jpg

http://www.visittobulgaria.com/visit/maps/municipality_KAZANLAK.gif


"The tomb is part of a large Thracian necropolis. It comprises a narrow corridor and a round burial chamber, both decorated with murals representing a Thracian couple at a ritual funeral feast. The monument dates back to the 4th century BC and has been on the UNESCO protected World Heritage Site list since 1979. The murals are memorable for the splendid horses and especially for the gesture of farewell, in which the seated couple grasp each other's wrists in a moment of tenderness and equality. The paintings are Bulgaria's best-preserved artistic masterpieces from the Hellenistic period.

Discovered in 1944, it is located near Seutopolis, the capital city of the Thracian king Seutes III. The tholos has a narrow corridor and a round burial chamber, both decorated with murals representing Thracian burial rituals and culture. These paintings are Bulgaria’s best-preserved artistic masterpieces from the Hellenistic period.


Hapiness bonus?

In the same mould, it could be used the Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thracian_Tomb_of_Sveshtari)

[oudysseos]

Nikos, that's an excellent start. Any more information about any of those would be great!


Just a note to myself- Oenach Tailten. Info to come.

[moonburn]

the palace of knossos seems a great wonder

maybe someone in crete after visiting the palace could get some quality as a "spacial organiser" since after visiting the "labirinth" they would compreend how to better use space ? plus 1+ influence for being the "guardian" of the athenian/greek superiority against the animalities of the minoans ? or descendent of theseus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knossos

The site has had a very long history of human habitation, beginning with the founding of the first Neolithic settlement circa 7000 BC. Over time and during several different phases that had their own social dynamic, Knossos grew until, by the 19th to 16th centuries BC (during the 'Old Palace' and the succeeding 'Neo-palatial' periods), the settlement possessed not only a monumental administrative and religious center (i.e., the Palace), but also a surrounding population of 5000-8000 people.

The palace is about 130 meters on a side and since the Roman period has been suggested as the source of the myth of the Labyrinth, an elaborate mazelike structure constructed for King Minos of Crete and designed by the legendary artificer Daedalus to hold the Minotaur, a creature that was half man and half bull and was eventually killed by the Athenian hero Theseus.

The 6 acres (24,000 m2) of the palace included a theatre, a main entrance on each of its four cardinal faces, and extensive storerooms (also called magazines). The storerooms contained pithoi (large clay vases) that held oil, grains, dried fish, beans, and olives. Many of the items were created at the palace itself, which had grain mills, oil presses, and wine presses. Beneath the pithoi were stone holes used to store more valuable objects, such as gold. The palace used advanced architectural techniques: for example, part of it was built up to five stories high.

Liquid management
The palace had at least three separate liquid management systems, one for supply, one for drainage of runoff, and one for drainage of waste water.

Aqueducts brought fresh water to Kephala hill from springs at Archanes, about 10 km away. Springs there are the source of the Kairatos river, in the valley of which Kephala is located. The aqueduct branched to the palace and to the town. Water was distributed at the palace by gravity feed through terracotta pipes to fountains and spigots. The pipes were tapered at one end to make a pressure fit, with rope for sealing. The water supply system would have been manifestly easy to attack.[citation needed] No hidden springs have been discovered as at Mycenae.

Sanitation drainage was through a closed system leading to a sewer apart from the hill. The Queen's Megaron contained an example of the first water flushing system toilet adjoining the bathroom. This toilet was a seat over a drain flushed by pouring water from a jug. The bathtub located in the adjoining bathroom similarly had to be filled by someone heating, carrying, and pouring water, and must have been drained by overturning into a floor drain or by bailing. This toilet and bathtub were exceptional structures within the 1300-room complex.

just my 2 cents and hope this helps :whip:

[Skullheadhq]

I've got one, for the province that includes nowadays Netherlands, it's called Terpen or Artificial dwelling hill


An artificial dwelling hill (known as Terp, Wierde, Woerd, Warf, Warft, Werf, Wurt and Værft) is a mound, created to provide safe ground during high tide and river floods. These hills occur in the coastal parts of the Netherlands (in the provinces of Zeeland, Friesland and Groningen), in southern part of Denmark and in Germany where, before dikes were made, tides interfered with daily life. They also occur in the Rhine and Meuse river plains in the central part of the Netherlands.
In the Dutch province of Friesland, an artificial dwelling hill is called terp (plural terpen). Terp means "village" in Old Frisian and is cognate with English thorp, Danish torp, German Dorf and Dutch dorp. The better word for these mounds would therefore be wierde or Wurt, but terp has become the predominant term.
Historical Frisian settlements were built on artificial terpen up to 15 m height to be safe from the floods in periods of rising sea levels. The first terp-building period dates from 500 BC, the second from 200 BC to 50 BC. In the mid 3rd century, the rise of sea level was so dramatic that the clay district was deserted, and settlers returned only around AD 400. A third terp-building period dates from AD 700 (Old Frisian times). This ended with the coming of the dike somewhere around 1200. During the 18th and 19th centuries, many terps were destroyed to use the fertile soil they contained to fertilize farm fields. Terpen were usually well fertilized by the decay of the rubbish and personal waste deposited by their inhabitants during centuries.

A certain Roman history writer wrote about it in awe, but I forgot his name, it was build not to drown, but a 'wonder' nonetheless.
Picture isn't really good, I know
http://mediatheek.thinkquest.nl/~jrb144/terpen1.jpg

[Vulgaris]

Being a Belgian (and still hoping that there will be some solid Belgae action in EB II), I’d thought I’d help by searching for some ancient ‘wonders’ in and around present day Belgium. I didn’t find any great monuments (yet), just the odd megalith or prehistoric settlement. So I decided to try another approach: looking for interesting natural features.


Arduenna Silva
Arduenna Silva, the “wooded heights” (Arduenna derives from the Gaulish arduo- meaning height) a vast forest in Roman times, that stretched from the Sambre river in Belgium to the Rhine in Germany. The forest was named after a pagan goddess Arduinna. The modern Ardennes covers a much smaller area.
In Celtic mythology, Arduinna (also Arduina, Arduinnae or Arduinne) was the eponymous goddess of the Ardennes Forest and region, represented as a huntress riding a boar (primarily in the present-day regions of Belgium and Luxembourg). Her cult originated in what is today known as Ardennes, a region of Belgium, Luxembourg and France. She was later assimilated into the Gallo-Roman mythology of goddess Diana. Some depictions of Arduinna show her riding a boar.

(Perhaps a ‘cult of Diana’ could give either an economical bonus because of the hunting of animals; or a bonus to ranged troops trained in the region?)


Silva Carbonaria
Silva Carbonaria, the "charcoal forest", was the dense old-growth forest of beech and oak that formed a natural boundary during the Late Iron Age through Roman times into the Early Middle Ages across what is now Belgium. The forest naturally thinned out in the open sandy stretches to the north and formed a barrier—trackless to the outsider—on the heavier soils to the south. Yet further to the south, the higher elevation and deep river valleys were covered by the even less penetrable ancient Arduenna Silva, the deeply folded Ardennes, which are still forested to this day. The Silva Carbonaria was a vast forest that stretched from the rivers Senne and the Dijle in the north to the Sambre in the south. To the east Silva Carbonaria extended to the Rhine.
The charcoal—which gave the forest its name and into which the once seeming inexhaustible woods were slowly converted—was required to fuel the scattered smelting furnaces that forged the plentiful iron found in outcroppings laid bare by riverside erosion. Even before the Romans arrived, iron weapons forged in the Silva Carbonaria were traded by the Belgae to their cousins in the southeast of Britain.

(Perhaps this forest could give an economical bonus?)


Pierre de Brunehaut
The Pierre de Brunehaut (Stone of Brunhilda) is the largest menhir of Belgium. It is situated in Hollain, a village in the province of Hainaut. It measures 3 metres by 4.4 metres in height.

It is supposed to be erected around 2500 BC (according to wikipedia). It had started to topple in the 18th century, but the locals re-erected it.
I know there are many more spectacular Stone age monuments to be found, but this one quite struck me because of it’s strange shape.

I'm sorry, but since it's my first post, I'm apparently not allowed to post links to images and other sites containing information about these sites yet, but if someone's interested, I would gladly help by gathering pictures or information.
==>Information is gathered from wikipedia

Hope this helps :)

[Moros]

Proposed Wonder: The Incense Route

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2c/Mer_rouge1b.jpg



I think it would be good to add some extra lure to those regions in Africa. Even with all the current wonders and fertilty, I believe it doesn't truly represent the amount of trade the region had, specially the naval trading routes to India.


Don't worry as this one is already planned to be more than just a wonder.:yes:

[oudysseos]

Good to see some action here over the hols. I will update the suggestions post and I have a couple of my own I have been working on.

[Vulgaris]

https://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk85/VulgarisMagistralis/EB%20II/Wonders.jpg

Dunno if this helps; but I was bored today, and so put the locations of the wonders of the EB I-list on this map. Not all of them are in their exact locations, but I thought it would give a nice view over which regions already have their wonders documented, and for which regions there aren't any (yet).

Couldn’t locate:
-Limios Alsos (The Sacred Grove)
-Mōristaigōnez (Marshland Footbridges)
-Garamante Royal Cemetry
-HaHar HaQados (The Sacred Mountain)
-Heliopolis (in Asia?)
-Dharmaraja Thupa (Stupa of the King of the Dharma)
-Siva Mandir (Indian Temple of Siva)
-Sauromatae I Khashaya Nygad Kuybyrtae (Sarmatian Royal Tombs)
-Skuda I Khashaya Nygad Kuybyrtae (Skythian Royal Tombs)

-NOTE: Wikipedia names Callanish with 2 l’s, don’t know if you wrote it with just one on purpose or not
-NOTE: I didn’t draw Lines for important trade routes, because I think it would make the map a bit messy
-NOTE: For the Kogaionon, I (I did the best I could) took the location of Sarmigetuza
-NOTE: For the Nerthouz Agwijōn Wīhā I took the island of Zealand

P.S.: Sorry if the map is way too big, it just was one of the first maps I found, and it seemed ok :)

[Macilrille]

Yes I was a bit puzzled at the Sjælland location. It may be apt though there are a few anceint power centres and holy places there we know off from Iron Age. Tissø (Tyr's Lake) springs to mind.

It has votive offerings from all Iron Age and into the Viking Age, as Christianity takes over, the offerings disappear. However, the manor from the Viking Age next to it still continue to develop up to the 13th century in various forms, and I cannot recall, but am almost certain that it is a continuation of one from the Iron Age nearby.

However, Denmark does not have any wonders as such from EB time frame that we know of with certainty. Some of the Stone Age mounds/cairns might qualify, but in my best estimation does not.

[Genava]

I have a suggestion, I choice the Thermopylae because in EB1 the battlefield is too large.

The Thermopylae:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/Thermopylae_shoreline_changes_map.png

More than a simple strategic pass, the Thermopylae are a sanctuary. The most important amphictyony was based in the Thermopylae, near the temple of Demeter.


In the Archaic period of ancient Greece, an amphictyony (Ancient Greek: ἀμφικτυονία), a "league of neighbors", or Amphictyonic League was an ancient association of Greek tribes formed in the dim past, before the rise of the Greek polis.

Based on legend, the Great Amphictyonic League was founded somewhat after the Trojan War, for the protection and administration of the temple of Apollo in Delphi and temple of Demeter in Anthele (Ἀνθήλη), near Thermopylae. The founding myth claimed that it had been founded in the most distant past by an eponymous founder Amphictyon, brother of Hellen, the common ancestor of all Hellenes. Representatives of the twelve members met in Thermopylae in spring and in Delphi in autumn.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphictyonic_League

The Thermopylae today:
http://lis566webquest.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/thermopylae_ancient_coastline_large.jpg

A modification (found on the web) to show the pass during classical age:
http://www.vedainformatics.com/veranda/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/1.jpg

[athanaric]

Good idea, Vulgaris :2thumbsup:

-NOTE: For the Nerthouz Agwijōn Wīhā I took the island of Zealand


AFAIK it should be on Rügen (in modern Germany), which is southeast of Zealand.




Some of the Stone Age mounds/cairns might qualify, but in my best estimation does not.
Yeah, all those I've come across seem to have been dug up only fairly recently.

[Macilrille]

The thing with the megalithic burials they are all over W Europe, Portugal, Brittany-France- UK- Holland- Germany- Denmark- S Sweden.

So they are not unique, just like I believe the Terpen SkullHQ suggests are not, nor are they IMO wonders like the ones around the Med.

[Silence Hunter]

I would like to propose two wonders from Lithuania. This region is quite empty and if any of those will be included it might provide some interesting read for a player wondering in these northern EBII lands.

1. Curonian Spit (Kuršių Nerija in original Lithuanian language, however it's more commonly known as Neringa, most likely the same name was used in EB timeframe)

Warning: very large images
http://www.nhpfund.org/maps/curonian-spit.jpg
http://nyxconcept.com/attachments/Image/neringa5200557112518.jpg
http://www.jzum.lt/old/cd/Lithuania/Tekstai/kursiu%20nerija/kursiu%20nerija_html_564f8608.jpg

Warning: massive satellitte map
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/8000/8179/curonian_ast_2006206_lrg.jpg

The Curonian Spit is a 98 km long, 9774ha in size, thin, curved sand-dune spit that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea.

Mythology

There are two stories explaining the creation of Curonian Spit.
1. Neringa, the daughter of Karvaitis grew up very big, like a giant. She was very nice to the local people - she used to go into sea and bring back lost ships during the storms. However one day Bangpūtys (ruthless double-faced sea wind and storms god) got mad and sent endless storms. Neringa decided to help the people by carrying the sand into sea and spilling it untill she formed a sand spit, dividing Curonian Lagoon (Kuršiu Marios) from Baltic Sea. Thankfull people named the spit after her - Neringa.
2. According to other legend Curonian Spit was formed by a Heraclis like little girl named Neringa when she was playing on the sea shore.

History

First humans in the Curonian Spit could be dated by early Paleolith approximately 8000 B.C.
They were small groups of roaming hunters, which were following reindeers and elks. However, no signs of their presence have been found in the northern part of the Curonian Spit.

Regular settlements in the Curonian Spit appeared just in the beginning of Mesolithic Age about 4000 B.C. Warmer climate attracted people of Narva Culture to the spit. Deciduous woods, marshy lakes, shallow sea lagoons and channels were most suitable for fishing, hunting and gathering forest goods. People used pots and dishes, which they made of clay and mollusc shells. They raised such domestic animals as dogs and pigs, wove mats and started to process amber, which they collected.

The Pamarys or Marine Culture expanded across the Curonian Spit at the end of the middle stone age, i.e. 3000 B.C. It absorbed elements of Rope Ceramics from Central European and local Narva cultures. The Marine Culture gave birth to such western Baltic tribes as Prussians, Jatvingians and Curonians (Kuršiai). Some changes in occupations, day-to-day activities, family structure and world outlook appeared. Inhabitants of the Curonian Spit started to raise goats and use horses. For the very first time in the Curonian Spit, people cultivated land and started to grow barley and wheat. Salt extraction by evaporating seawater became a brand new occupation.
The Bronze Age (between 2000 and 500 B.C.) hasn't been much investigated in the Curonian Spit. The available information allows us to consider that landscape changes in the peninsula and the fall of temperature had a main impact on living conditions. About 1700 B.C. the sea flooded part of the Stone Age settlements. Humans moved to higher places. It is suggested that many of them deserted the Curonian Spit. Their occupations stayed the same. Solitary bronze articles like axes, speartips and pins weren't very commonly used, but rather showed the position in the social hierarchy. Archaeologists also noticed that the quality of ceramics worsened in the Bronze Age.

Single archaeology findings from the Iron Age (between 500 B.C. and 1300) said very little about this period in the northern part of the spit. It seems that humans deserted the peninsula completely. It could be the consequence of the Movement of Nations. People settled in the areas, which had more fertile soils and were more suitable for agriculture. The northern part of the Curonian Spit didn't satisfy their needs. However, only a detailed archaeological survey can give clearer picture of this blank page in the peninsula's history.

Curonian Spit was also a major part of Amber road (Gintaro kelias) trade route. Even today after the storm you can find pieces of amber on the seashore.

2. Romuva

http://scotlandtravel.blogs.com/scotland_travel_informati/images/img_4005.JPG

Romuva is a central temple of ancient Baltic pagan religion, essentially it is an oak grove where chief priest Krivis and vaidilutes resided.

It is more a mythological object (as no archeological evidence was found), however it is closely related to ancient baltic pagan religion.

Romuva as depicted after XVI century account of Simon Granau:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d5/Romuva_sanctuary.jpg

You might wonder what this has to do with EB timeframe. It's just a speculation, but it is higly likely. Because of absence of written word and sparse archeological evidence of Baltic Iron age, presumptions must be made. Lithuanians were the last pagans in Europe formally christianized only in XIV century, however in practice pagan religion was dominant among the population untill about the middle of XVIII century. Taking this in mind it's possible to say that the religion of Balts in Iron Age did not differ much from paganism in middle ages.

If we agree on the above point, then the sacred places of worship should have been the same too. The most common of them were sacred oak groves. Oak was a sacred tree in Baltic mythology associated with head god Perkūnas (equivalent of Zeus). It was forbidden to cut the oaks down. These sacred groves were all over the country. Each had his own priest and vaidulutes (similar to roman vestals) guarding the sacred undistinguishable flame. However the central one of those groves was called Romuva and was located (this is mostly accepted speculation, there is also a mention of Romuva in Sembia (south of Curonian Spit) in the Simon Granau account (wiki link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romuva_%28temple%29)) near modern city of Trakai in Lithuania. The chief priest Krivis resided there. The place was wisited by the chiefs of the tribes and other upper ranking society members to get advice and blessings from the chief priest.

[ollicompolli]

Newgrange should be a wonder ( if it isn't already ).

Southern Poland has a large hill called "Kopiec Krakusa' - named after the legendary founder of Cracow. Its height is around 271 metres, and the base of the hill is flat. Part of this is hill is man made.
Archeological studies have shown that it was created around 500 B.C.
The mound has a solid wooden core, which is surrounded by turf and earth.
There's a theory that the place has Celtic roots (which is suggested by names around the area such as Galicja and Halicz). Later inhabitants of the area must have considered it to be a significant srtructure - archeological remains from as late as the 8th century C.E were found. There is a huge amount of kurhans in Poland, with this one being especially famous due to folk traditions. What makes it different from the kurhans in southern Russia and in the Ukraine is the Celtic ancestry.

This is how it looks like: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/Kopiec_Krakusa.jpg

[oudysseos]

Silence Hunter, that's excellent work! Thanks a lot!

[Vulgaris]

Newgrange should be a wonder ( if it isn't already ).

Southern Poland has a large hill called "Kopiec Krakusa' - named after the legendary founder of Cracow. Its height is around 271 metres, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/Kopiec_Krakusa.jpg

Wikipedia states that the hill lies at an altitude of 271, not that the hill itself is 271m tall :)
the hill itself is 16m tall; still quite high for a manmade hill, but a lot less impressive than one of almost 300 meters tall :)

[Macilrille]

There is a lot of mounds 16 m tal and more all over Europe. The Bronze Age mounds are often huge.

Like the neolithic burials, huge mounds are everywhere.

Instead of a wonder I would suggest them as a new Building, required for Gov I & II as mounds were used to mark out territories (in various ways) during prehistory. Possibly giving + XP.

[Mediterraneo]

Hello everybody.

I'd like to suggest the Cumaean Sibyl for its cultural meaning.



-------------------------------------------
Sibilla Cumana
The main divinating authority on Italian mainland, the Sibilla was a priestess of Apollo and Ecate that had her seat near the lake Averno, near Cuma, one of the accesses of the underworld.
The lake itself gave finally its name to the latin land of the dead, Avernus, was a scary place, without birds, killed by its tossic exalations.
The most important tribute to her divinating power are the Libri Sibillini, which she sold to Tarquinius Superbus for a stunning price, and that were one of the most important objects conserved in the Jupiter Capitolinus temple.
The Sibilla, seated in her Antro, deep underground, wrote her responses in exameters on palm leaves, which were then mixed by the many currents of the place, making it very difficult to correctly understand the content of her's predictions.
Its origin is literally lost in time, but was ancient enough not only not to be remebered, but to refer her cult as traditionally famous when Enea got to the site. Here, she gave him predictions and guided him to the underworld. Virgilio describes the woman as very old, but it is possibly a reference to the age of the charge, and not of the single persons who covered it in time. We still know the name of some of this women: Amaltea, Demofila ed Appenninica.
But there is a legend, which says that Apollo himself was once in love of a woman, and offered her anything she could desire in exchange of her becoming a priestess for him. She asked for the inmortality, but forgot to ask for eternal youth, and so she got older and older as the time passed by. She was consumed by the years, and got smaller and smaller, in the Apollo temple, until it was just her voice that remained. And then Apollo offered again a pact: he would have given her youthness back, if she accepted to be his. But she refused, to preserve her castity.
In the literature, Licofrone, Eraclito, Virgilio, Ovidio and Petronio give constance of her importance.
-------------------------------------------

Please, feel free to control and improve this, cause it was quickly done with the internet's help. But I feel that this gives an idea of the cultural significance of the place, and of the cult.

There are a lot of photos of the supposed "Antro della Sibilla" on the net, the most suggestive ones are the ones of the poligonal entering corridor, dark but recieving natural light from unexpected places, so I do not add one of them.

Reading things for this, i saw things about the Campi Flegrei, their volcanic activity and their thermal water, but I sholud really leave that for another day, or another person.

Bye!

[Feidhlimidh]

Hi, long time player, first time poster,

I would suggest that as much as i like to see irish sites in the game (tara etc), the Cuil Irra peninsula in sligo (which houses the largest megalithic cemetary/site anywhere [one of the tombs of 5,400 BC "Carrowmore" & the grave of the queen maeve overlooking it from the hill of the kings with other ancillary tombs) along with a huge causewayed enclosure. It has been extensively researched and is now recognised as the oldest tomb site in ireland and a site which was used right into the iron age as an important ceremonial and gathering place.


Several miles to the east lies the battle field of "Maige Tuiread" (ancient battle field) (possibly mythical) the story of which a certain author by by the name of tolkein borrowed heavily from!! (dont take my word for it)


Again just south of this (and all together forming a traingle of intense megalithic and ceremonially important landscapes) lies the Carrowkeel megaltihic site. these two monument clusters are larger than any other contemporoary sites. Carrowkeel again overlooks the battle field and is orientated to the Cuil Irra coplex.



Anyway, blablabla, if it was taken up as a complex etc for wonders theres plenty of info (scholarly articles, archaeological finds, maps plans, orientation to sun moon cycles etc. )

twas the burial plac of kings and the seat of the last one.

[Subotan]

Anyway, blablabla, if it was taken up as a complex etc for wonders theres plenty of info (scholarly articles, archaeological finds, maps plans, orientation to sun moon cycles etc. )


If you can find some, then the chances of it getting in are greatly increased.

[Casuir]

Carrowkeel and moytura are about 30 miles to the south of knocknarae/carrowmore, dont think they can be described as being part of the same complex. The dating to 5400bc is sketchy too.

[Macilrille]

In any case...


6. Be Original. Do not just copy and paste Wikipedia articles- if you care enough about a cool feature of the ancient world to suggest it to us, care enough to write your own description.


Writing "XXX is old I think, it would be cool to have it and it has lots of things written about it and Wiki and bla.-bla. etc" will not get your wonders included folks. the Team might as well not have launched the project but researched it all themselves.

Show you care, show you want the feature in, describe why it should be in "sell it" to the Team.

Edited to add Oh and despite the scolding (which goes for a third or more of the suggestions in the thread, not just this one), welcome to the Forum, pleased to meet you.

[oudysseos]

Feidhlimidh, that was a good first post- and a good suggestion that merits some research and development- so get to it! Find and/or scan some info and some pics and post it! If you're in Sligo, have a look around. If you're in Dublin, the ILAC Public Library in the shopping mall on Henry Street is actually quite good for this sort of thing. If you're not in Ireland, do your best.

[Feidhlimidh]

Hi all again, the whole "bla bla bla" thing was because i had to remove links due to it being my first post (for some reason?), and i was in a rush!


With regards to Casuirs' comments, i will just clarify myself, (they arent all 1 complex) they are 2 complex's joined by the run of the very navigable river unshin (rises from lough arrow at carrowkeel and flows to the southern bay of the cuil irra peninsula) and 1 well known battlefield (in myth & legend) and within the "landscape" there is an intense amount of megalithic activity. Carrowkeel is approx 14.5 miles south east of carrowmore (drive), and less as the crow flies, (but visible to each other due to elevation). I would have to say as far as dating evidence is concerned, the dates i mentioned are for certain monuments, there is no question of earlier settlement, as far as i know, just as to when large scale building started. Controversial? certainly.... Sketchy? depends on your point of view, anyway thats a discussion for a whole different forum!

i think stefan bergh is doing work on the time frame at the minute (primary use etc for some of the earliest sites).
http://www.nuigalway.ie/archaeology/Research/Ritual_and_Place_in_Prehistory/Bone_Pin_Dating_Project/bone_pin_dating_index.html

This is just the monument listing:

National monuments listing: http://www.archaeology.ie/en/NationalMonuments/SearchByCounty/FileDownload,314,en.pdf
If you have arcview or some similar software you can download full datasets from archaeology.ie in shape file format.

This is a link to a really nice site covering a lot of info, photos, history, maps, historical drawings etc, pre- and post 19th centuary damage, for all three sites, carrowmore, queen maeves grave etc, carrowkeel, moytura etc: (also check out the glen passage way through the large natural limestone fault!!!) actually theres too much stuff on this website to start listing.

http://www.carrowkeel.com/sites/carrowmore/index.html

This is a link to a nice wee website with some ok photos and a nice google maps plot at the bottom of page 2. It also shows carrowkeel and moytura locations:

http://www.megalithicireland.com/Carrowmore%20Complex.html

This is a local newspaper extract detailing newer discoveries during a recent road construction, including a henge and neolithic to medieval find (uninterupted)

http://www.sligoweekender.ie/news/story/?trs=cweygbeyid

Just a couple of vids (not great of a tiny bit of carrowmore and maeves grave) segments of the doc "Standing with stones"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FVrKNDSfkQ&feature=channel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l21GLJjJPm8


I would suggest if maybe the landscape is too much, then a focus on the Cuil Irra peninsula, but it could also be viewed as the pre-celtic to celtic worlds' answer to the "valley of the kings" & the "Hot Gates" all rolled into one wonder (How about that??). It is also worthy of note i guess, that the town at the landward side of the peninsula was strategically important right up until elizabethan period as the geographical bottle-neck between north and south (the northern clans fighting the elizabethan forces in the 9 years war - i.e. Cliffords defeat in the Curlews by O'Donnel a couple of miles further east, on his march to relieve the siege of sligo castle & Colooney garrisons) (the irish clans camped on carrowkeel in wait to ambush the invaders & Used it as their vantage point!) Sligo guards the narrow gap between the sea and ben bulben etc. its no wonder the iron age queen sits awatch over the area.

Anyway, i don't know how much you guys need, or if you need everything referenced etc, or in what format you require info, but anyway, there should be enough in the above to peruse through for consideration. Need anything else, gimme a bell!


Oh yes and here is the battle of moytura text translation link from UCC:

http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T300011/index.html

Theres some great quotes in this..... but i suppose, that'd be another thread also, check out sectios 119, 122, 127, 131 (Harsh, moreover, was the thunder that was there throughout the battle, the shouting of the warriors and the clashing of the shields, the flashing and whistling of the glaives and the ivory-hilted swords, the rattling and jingling of the quivers, the sound and winging of the darts and the javelins, and the crashing of the weapons!), 132, 133 (Then Nuada Silverhand and Macha daughter of Ernmass fell by Balor grandson of Nét. And Cassmael fell by Octriallach son of Indech. Lugh and Balor of the Piercing Eye met in the battle. An evil eye had Balor. That eye was never opened save only on a battle-field. Four men used to lift up the lid of the eye with a (polished) handle which passed through its lid. If an army looked at that eye, though they were many thousands in number they could not resist a few warriors. Hence had it that poisonous power. His father's druids were concocting charms. He came and looked over the window, and the fume of the concoction came under it, so that the poison of the concoction afterwards came on the eye that looked. Then he and Lugh meet.) (134-138)

[Casuir]

Feidhlimidh, my bad, i thought you were saying they're all part of the same complex. Anyways not saying they're unworthy of inclusion, from sligo myself so would be quite nice to see them in EB.

[Burebista per Sarmizegetuza]

I'd like to give you details about some wonders in Dacia or Getia ( they are the same)

There are lot's of wonders here in getia that should be put in the eyes.Because I live in "Getia"and I am a Daco-Roman I wish to share my knowledge of wonder in this play with you.

The first one is The Sfinx from Mt. Buceag in Romania.


https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c1/Bucegi_Sfinx.jpg



History:

The Sfinx from Buceag Mountains is a megalit situated at 2.216 m altitude.

This wonder in named "The Sfinx" because of its shape of a human head(example: The egiptean Sfinx).

Iata ce scrie Strabon, in “Geografia” (VII, 3, 5): “Tot asa si acest munte a fost recunoscut drept sacru si astfel il numeau getii; numele lui, Kogaion, era la fel cu numele raului care curgea alaturi”.

As Strabon says in his book "The Geography" (VII, 3, 5)."This mountain was considered true sacred and so the Getai said;his name, Kogaion ,was with the name of evil who was purring beside him " ( not sure if its correct)


I will post more wonders latter hope 1 is good for my first post^^ bb:beam:

[oudysseos]

The Kogaion is already in EB1. A list is on the first post of this thread.

[Macilrille]

However, it is better to show some initiative than just posting a Wiki link. Welcome to the Forum.

[Feidhlimidh]

No probs Casuir, ah, another sligo man, theres hope for us then!! :charge:

[NikosMaximilian]

I saw someone proposed Thermopylae as a wonder and I was thinking about some specific mountain passes considered in that category, also since some capes are considered that way.

The faction that controls those passes could have some bonuses, in population growth, tradeable goods or even some bonus for troops trained in the region.

I'm thinking about

-Col de la Perche, Somport and Pas de la Casa, etc. in the Pyrenees
-San Bernardino, Brenner, Passo dell'Umbrail, Col de Tende, etc. in the Alps
-Iskar Gorge, Beklemeto (where the Trajan road was later built), Varbitsa, etc in the Balkans
-Cilician Gates in the Taurus Mountains
-Syrian Gates in the Nur Mountains
-Zigana in the Pontic Mountains
-Dukla in the Carpathians
-Bwlch-y-Ddeufaen in Wales

and so on...

[ardorious]

I looked up for Cappadocia but couldn't find anything about. It is a great trustic region known for its phenomenous history. Secret underground roads that is related with India and Tibet. Also known for fairy chimneys.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cappadocia

[Macilrille]

Time to repeat the start of this thread methinks.

Greetings Europa Barbarorum fans.


One of the wonderful things about Europa Barbarorum for RTW was, well, its Wonders.

In place of the very few and Graeco-Romanocentric "wonders" from vanilla Rome Total War, the EB team researched and implemented more than 70 historically accurate man-made and natural Unique Buildings of the ancient world, from the British Isles to India. Not only did they appear as buildings, with descriptions and bonuses; many of them were made into Battle Map models, so you could fight in the shade of Stonehenge or between the feet of the Sphinx at Giza.

Europa Barbarorum 2 will retain many if not most of these features, but the introduction of a unique Province Building for every region gives us the opportunity to expand this kind of content.

And this is where you, the community, can be part of the project. There are many wonderful features of the classical world, and the success of the Quotes Project has convinced us that our community of fans has a lot to contribute.

We are looking for two kinds of things.

1. "Wonders of the Ancient World" that could be made into Unique Buildings as in EB1.
2. Significant and interesting features of geography or culture that could be part of the Province Building descriptions.

Don't be overly concerned with categorizing your submissions. Ultimately the team will decide how best to use the material. It goes without saying that we are only interested in unique features that are contemporary to 3rd, 2nd and 1st centuries BCE: the Eiffel Tower is very unique and wonderful, but wouldn't be appropriate for Europa Barbarorum.



The Rules

1. No Spam will be tolerated. Spurious, "funny", or obscene posts will be deleted and the poster reported to global moderators if necessary. If the Team's time is wasted on policing juvenile spam, the project will be abandoned and the thread locked and/or deleted.

2. Look at the list of Wonders already in EB or already proposed. Posting something that is already there just wastes everyone's time. A search of the thread will help determine if your idea has already been posted.

3. The Team will decide which wonders will be included. There may be an upper limit to how many are possible, and overall balance will also be a consideration. Ultimately, we'll decide what goes in the release, although anyone can modify their own version if they wish.

4. Do Not Overdo It with Images. Please be considerate of other forum members who may have slower internet connexions or older computers: if you have a big image, use thumbnails or [spoil] tags to minimize its impact. Feel free to hyper-link to images on Wikipedia or other sites rather than posting them directly here.

5. Do the Research. Don't just post a name- we need some information about whatever it is you think should be included. Bear in mind that neolithic sites like Newgrange may well have disappeared by the Iron Age, only to be rediscovered by modern archaeology. We need some evidence that the site was known to the people of EB.

6. Be Original. Do not just copy and paste Wikipedia articles- if you care enough about a cool feature of the ancient world to suggest it to us, care enough to write your own description.


No offense intended to anyone, but it seems these instructions have to some extent been ignore, but then... I guess the people in question did not care enough to research and thus do not mind when their pet wonder is not included...

Consider that:
Research = high probability for inclusion
No Research = vanishing chance of inclusion

[Silence Hunter]

One more proposition for wonders in EBII from me. This time it's going to be wonders located in the lands of Scythians and Sarmatians.

1. Cucuteni-Trypillian culture settlement - Talianki

Cucuteni-Trypillian culture might be one of the most fascinating cultures of neolithic Europe. They were long gone by the time EB starts, but it seems that their legacy was preserved, as there were archeological founds in their settlements dating 3rd-4th centuries BC. So here they are for your consideration!

Cucuteni-Trypillian Culture

The Cucuteni-Trypillian culture is a late Neolithic archaeological culture which flourished between ca. 5500 BC and 2750 BC, from the Carpathian Mountains to the Dniester and Dnieper regions in modern-day Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine, encompassing an area of more than 35,000 km2 (13,500 square miles). At its peak the Cucuteni-Trypillian culture built the largest Neolithic settlements in Europe, some of which had populations of up to 15,000 inhabitants. One of the most notable aspects of this culture was that every 60 to 80 years the inhabitants of a settlement would burn their entire village. The reason for the burning of the settlements is a subject of debate among scholars; many of the settlements were reconstructed several times on top of earlier ones, preserving the shape and the orientation of the older buildings. One example of this, at the Poduri, Romania site, revealed a total of thirteen habitation levels that were constructed on top of each other over a period of many years.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/CuTryOutline.svg/225px-CuTryOutline.svg.png

Quite extensive wikipedia article on this culture (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cucuteni-Trypillian_culture), including a lot of sources and info.

those who live in New York can visit an exhibition on them: The Lost World of Old Europe (http://www.nyu.edu/isaw/exhibitions/oldeurope/exhibitioncatalogue.html)

Talianki

Talianki was the location of the largest known settlement of the Neolithic Cucuteni-Trypillian culture, encompassing about 450 hectares (1112 acres), and laid out in an oval design of concentric rows of interconnected buildings, and measuring 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) long by 1.1 kilometers (0.7 miles) wide. Dating from the middle of the 4th Millenium to the 3rd Millenium BC, and at its height having over 15,000 inhabitants, this settlement's size was staggering, making it one of the largest in the world during the time it flourished, as well as the largest settlement in Neolithic Europe.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1c/ScaleRepoductionOfaCucutenivillage.JPG/800px-ScaleRepoductionOfaCucutenivillage.JPG

Location in Wiki article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talianki).

Why can it be considered as a wonder for EB?

The other Cucuteni-Trypillian village of Baiceni contained artifacts of Geto-Dacians, dating slightly before EB start date. Presumably these settlements might have been still in use, or used for some other purpose. The founds from Baiceni village contain following artifacts:

The first one was a golden thesaurus from the beginning of the 4th b.C. discovered by chance in Baiceni village, Cucuteni comunna, at the end of the 50s. It had 70 complete pieces and fragments made of 18 and 24 K gold weighing more than 2 kg.

The most important piece is a helmet worked with the cold hammering technique and made of 24 k gold. Its shape is longish and it has a rectangular opening for the face, a frontal, and protection for the cheeks and the nape of the neck. On the frontal part there were made two eyes with brows and accolades using the repousse technique. The parts for the cheeks and the nape were also decorated. The right cheek had a dressed man sitting on a throne in an apotheotic posture, holding a cup in the right hand and a ryton in the other. On the left cheek there were two snakes with bird heads, symmetrically disposed, and between them there was an ox head with big horns. On the nape part there were two-winged horses standing back to back. The helmet, reminding of these of the sarazine kings, was for parades just like the other helmets found at Agighiol, Poiana-Cotofenesti or Portile de Fier.

http://arts.iasi.roedu.net/cucuteni/arheo/importanta/coif.jpg

Another valuable piece was a bracelet made of a twisted cylindered bar, having at the ends two small horse heads with horns symmetrically arched towards the nostrils and having a filigree rosette fixed on a plate on the forehead.

http://arts.iasi.roedu.net/cucuteni/arheo/importanta/brm.jpg

The article can be found here (http://arts.iasi.roedu.net/cucuteni/arheo/importanta/gd_en.html).


2. Kamyana Mohyla

This wonder is mysterious to modern-day scholars, but it likely was as mysterious to the visitors of this place in 3rd century BC as it is to us now.

Kamyana Mohyla is a site encompassing a group of isolated blocks of sandstone, up to twelve meters in height, scattered around an area of some 3,000 square meters. What makes Kamyana Mohyla special is that it is so old and it is not just stones, but carved out statues standing here. The Kamyana Mohyla carvings are likely the oldest of their kind in the world. Petroglyphs found on the rocks indicate they could be over 9,000 years old.

http://www.go2kiev.com/site/img_uploads//sightseeingpics/kamyanamohyla.jpg

The shape of this sand hill is similar to that of kurgans that dot the Pontic-Caspian steppe. Valentin Danylenko claimed to have discovered thirty caves with petroglyph inscriptions which he dated to the 20th century B.C. to the 17th century A.D. Danylenko resumed his work on the site after World War II and claimed to have discovered thirteen additional caves with petroglyphs. Petroglyphs are found inside the caves and grottoes of Kamenna Mohyla, many of them still filled up with sand. No adequate protection from the elements has been provided to this day. No traces of ancient human settlement have been discovered in the vicinity, leading many scholars to believe that the hill served as a remote sanctuary. Faint traces of red paint remain on parts of the surface. Scholars have been unable to agree whether the petroglyphs date from Mesolithic or Neolithic. The latter dating is more popular, although the presumed depiction of a mammoth in one of the caves seems to favour the former date.

http://wikimapia.org/p/00/00/08/57/23_big.jpg

http://wikimapia.org/p/00/00/86/46/56_big.jpg

Why should it be included? It was there during the EB timeframe. It should have been a mysterious site for any visitors and might have been actually used for some kind of religious purpose. No one will know for sure untill further reasearch is done, but it seems a fascinating site for me.

Wiki article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamyana_Mohyla). Location in this article (http://www.go2kiev.com/view/kamyanamohyla.html). Some more pictures (http://wikimapia.org/1861446/Kamyana-Mohyla).


3. Kul-Oba

There were many burial mounds across the Europe. Kurgan is the name associated with such mounds scattered across Scythian steppe. Some of them contained extremely rich treasures. Kul-Oba is one of those.

What's interesting about Kul-Oba is the merger of Greek and Scythian influences.

Kul-Oba was the first Scythian royal barrow to be excavated in modern times. Uncovered in 1830, the stone tomb yielded a wealth of precious artefacts which drew considerable public interest to Scythian world. Of particular interest is an intricately granulated earring with two Nike figurines, now in the Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg. The tomb was built around 400 to 350 BC, likely by a team of Greek masons from Panticapaeum. Its plan is almost square, measuring 4.6 by 4.2 meters. The stepped vault stands 5.3 meters high. The timber ceiling seems to have been designed to imitate a Scythian wooden tent; it is decorated by a canopy with gold plaques.

Warning: the images are large
http://www.metmuseum.org/special/Golden%20Deer/images/146.L.jpg http://www.sandrashaw.com/images/AH1L19ear.jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/archive/f/f2/20070529191700!KulObaTreasure.jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/Scythian_Kul_Oba_Ukrainia.jpg http://www.pitt.edu/~haskins/group9/kuloba21.jpg http://www.pitt.edu/~haskins/group9/Kostromskaya1.jpg http://www.pitt.edu/~haskins/group9/kuloba15.jpg

And famous vanilla Scythian faction icon:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b8/ScythianArchers.JPG

Wiki article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kul-Oba).

I think it would be nice to include one of the Kurgans as a building or something. To use as an example of steppe burial rituals and amounts of treasure buried together with nobles.

[oudysseos]

Silence Hunter, Macirille, and others- some of these suggestions are very good indeed. I don't want ye to think that this is a dead thread- but the wonders project is a long term one and I don't have a lot of extra time right now.

If anyone is serious about helping EB, take this a step further without me holding your hand: on the first post of this thread, at the bottom, you can find the actual text of the EB1 wonders. Using that for a guide, write up descriptions for your proposals: at a minimum 100 words, a maximum of say 500. This must be mostly original text: you can't cut-and-paste from other sources (you can of course rewrite and paraphrase). A good picture would be good, and if you can have a stab at a name in the original language.

If you really want to go all out, dig into your EB1 files and try to put new Wonders into your build (always copy your data folder before changing anything). If you can get new wonders going in EB1, there could be a job with your name on it. Don't ask me how- you're gonna have to teach yourself. There are good tutorials on the Org and at TWC.

I'll try to keep a better eye on this thread.

[Famine0]

Alright, here goes my proposal. Now I'm not a historian so please excuse any mistakes I made, I'm especially not sure about the 'Early Helladic' and 'Late Bronze Age' dates. I tried to make rough estimates using wikipedia. I used several sites for the information.
The pictures are fairly large:
http://www-users.cs.umn.edu/~moulitsa/photos/greece/epidaurus02.jpg
http://www.odysseyadventures.ca/trips/greece/epidaurus.jpg
http://www.greeka.com/peloponnese/epidaurus/epidaurus-map/epidaurus-map.gif

The Sanctuary of Asklepieos and theater at Epidaurus

The cult and sanctuary of Asklepieos at Epidaurus – believed to be the birthplace of Asklepieos the healer and the son of Apollo – started growing as early as the 6th century BC.
Said to be the largest healing center of Greece’s Classical period it still enjoyed alot of fame during the Hellenistic period. The sanctuary consisted of several buildings including a big sleeping hall (called an enkoimitiria), a guest house (katagogeion) with 160 guestrooms, a tholos, banqueting hall (hestiatoreion), gymnasium, a temple dedicated to Asklepieos built by Theodotos around 380 BC, and smaller shrines dedicated to other gods: Artemis, Themis and Aphrodite. The Tholos, built by Polykleitos the Younger around 360 BC, is actually quite famous because of its elaborately detailed interior Corinthian columns, which would influence alot of later columns from that style. Pausanias (2nd century AD), Lydian traveler and geographer, tells us in his Description of Greece that the temple contained a statue of Asklepieos. The statue was made of gold and ivory and represented Asklepieos sitting on a throne, with a staff in his left hand, his right hand resting on a snake and a dog sitting next to him. Depicted on the throne were Bellerophon killing the Chimera and Persues striking Medusa’s head off.
On a hilltop south-east of the sanctuary was an early helladic settlement (2800 BC- 2100 BC), and later, near it a relatively smaller shrine dedicated to Apollo where sacrifices were made during the late Bronze Age (1550 BC- 1200 BC). This shrine was expanded during the 4th century BC and 2nd century AD.

The theater of Epidaurus is famous for its beautiful location, exceptional acoustics and overall advanced design. The circular performance space known as the orchestra has a diameter of 65 feet. Behind the orchestra was the scene (skéne), used as a backdrop and as an area were the actors could change costumes. The skéne was sometimes built out of stone but in Epidaurus it was made of wood and as such is not preserved today. In Greek theaters the landscape behind the scene was very important and, following in this tradition, the theater of Epidaurus was purposely built amidst a lush landscape. Polykleitos used limestone seats to amplify high-frequency sounds but block out low-frequency sounds. It is said that when you light a match at the stage it can be heard even at the top rows. Originally the theater had 34 rows housing up to 6500 people, but after an additional 21 rows were added by the Romans the theater could house up to 12000 people.

The sanctuary and its theater flourished during the Classical and Hellenistic period until it was looted by Sulla in 87 BC and Cilician pirates in 67 BC, and even though the Goths raided it in 395 AD the sanctuary was still known in the 5th century AD.
Today plays are still being held at the theater, but the sanctuary of Asklepieos has to be visited with a little imagination as ruins are all that remain.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The text is exactly 500 words long. Unfortunatly since the sanctuary is a ruin now I couldnt find any decent pictures depicting the sanctuary in the EB timeframe.

[athanaric]

The text is exactly 500 words long. Unfortunatly since the sanctuary is a ruin now I couldnt find any decent pictures depicting the sanctuary in the EB timeframe.
Good one. Hopefully Epidauros will be in.

[jirisys]

Proposed Wonder: Aqua Appia

http://www.romereborn.virginia.edu/ge/AQ-002.jpg

The first Roman aqueduct, constructed in 312 B.C. by Appius Claudius Caecus (the same censor that built the Via Appia) and C. Plautius. The intake is described by Frontinus as being in agro Lucullano, 780 paces to the left of the via Praenestina, between the seventh and the eighth miles, but the springs have never been satisfactorily identified.

The supply was 1825 quinariae, or 75,537 cubic metres in 24 hours. The channel was almost entirely subterranean, 11,190 paces in length, to the Salinae of which only 60 paces near the porta Capena were carried on substructions and on arches.

Near Spes Vetus it was joined ad Gemellos by a branch named Augusta because constructed by Augustus, the springs of which were 980 paces to the left of the sixth mile of the via Praenestina, near the via Collatina; the channel of this branch was 6380 paces long. From the porta Capena the aqueduct ran underground, and remains of its channel were found in 1677 and in 1887 between the Aventinus minor and the Aventinus maior on the south-east of the Via di Porta S. Paolo.

The Aqua Appia flowed for 16.4 km into the city of Rome through the Porta Maggiore, Passing under the Aventine, it ended at the bottom of the clivus Publicius and emptied into the Forum Boarium near the porta Trigemina.

In level it was the lowest of all the aqueducts. Nearly all of its length was underground, which was necessary because of the relative heights of its source and destination, and afforded it protection from attackers during the Samnite Wars that were underway during its construction. It dropped only 10 m over its entire length, making it a remarkable engineering achievement for its day. It was repaired by Q. Marcius Rex in 144‑140 B.C., and by Augustus in 11‑4 B.C.

As most buildings in Rome, there is little remain of this besides archeological evidence, but historians have recreated it into a 3D model by descriptions and roman engineering at the time



If anyone should carefully calculate the abundance of waters in Rome’s public fountains, baths, pools, open canals, homes, gardens, and suburban estates, or the miles of delivery channels, the tall arcades, the tunnels under mountains and bridges across valleys, he would admit that there is nothing on earth more worthy of our wonder.
-Pliny the Elder, Encyclopedia 36.123


Hope it gets there!:smile:

I don't have a map to point it out, so please, if any of you have a more advanced knowledge of the location of this aqueduct, please post so. Thank you

~Jirisys (on his first wonder proposal)

[Cimon]

Proposal: Land of the Giants*

Possible regions (any or all): North Syria/Antioch, Phlagraean Fields (Italy), and Leuca (Italy)

The Giants of Greek mythology were believed to have been a group of creatures formed when the blood fell to the earth following the castration of Heaven. When the blood touched the earth, the giants sprang up in full armour, ready to fight. They later tried to assault the gods on Mount Olympus, but were defeated and killed.

First possibility: North Syria/Antioch
Beginning at least as far back as the Neo-Hittites, this area was thought to have been ruled over by giants in the past. Findings of large bones in the area, for which the ancients did not have a scientific answer, seemed to suggest the presence of the giants from several cultures' mythology. These large bones were probably the bones of prehistoric animals, as well as teeth from hippos. One of the teeth ended up in a shrine at Tell Sukas, which the Greeks visited beginning in the 6th century BC. In addition, patches of burning earth (probably combustible coal), seemed to suggest the presence of the giants. Seleucus was believed to have found the bodies of giants who had once lived in the area where Antioch was later founded, on the plain of Unqi. In the 160s AD, an large skeleton was discovered when the river course either changed, or was diverted. The residents of the area sent the bones to the oracle of Apollo at Claros, who told them that the skeleton belonged to the Giant Orontes. The idea that Giants had once ruled near Antioch continued for centuries, such that the Byzantine chroncler John Malalas (circa 530AD) wrote, "Two miles from Antioch there is a place which has the bodies of men stoned by the wrath of the gods. Even now, they call them 'Giants.' One Pagras lived in this land and was a Giant. He was thunderbolted by fire. So it is clear that the people of Antioch in Syria live in the land of the Giants."

Second possibility: Phlagraean Fields (Italy)
Just inland from the northern end of the Bay of Naples, the discovery of giant bones and the scorched, sulfuric ground suggested to the ancients that this was where the cosmic showdown between the gods and the giants took place. Philostratus, writing in the early third century AD but drawing on earlier sources, said that the Neapolitans made a "wonder" out of the bones of Alcyoneus, who was the oldest of the giants and a captain in the war against the gods. Strabo wrote that the area had "a foul smell, full of sulphur and fire and hot springs," which he said were the "wounds of teh thunderbolted Giants which pour out streams of fire and water." And according to Dio Cassius, when Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, "there were those who thought that the Giants were rising to revolt, for many of their forms were visible in the smoke and besides, a sound a trumpets could be heard." Bones continued to be discovered in this area up into more recent times, such that when Vesuvius erupted again in 1538, stories of the Giants were again raised.

(This area could be connected with Typhon on Ischia and/or under Etna if desired).

Third possibility: Leuca (Italy)
According to Strabo, after the battle, the surviving Giants were said to have taken refuge at the small town of Leuca on the tip of Italy's heel. The area was again "foul-smelling" (i.e. sulfur) from the "ichor" of the Giants' bodies. Nearby is a so-called "Cave of the Giants," which contains deposits of prehistoric bones.


*All information taken from Travelling Heroes In the Epic Age of Homer by Robin Lane Fox

[echolot]

hi guys!

I know that it is not frowened upon to link Wikipedia articles, but because of my bad english it is the only way to describe the suggestions. So I hope you understand this.

1. Mohenjo-daro

http://www.mohenjodaro.net/images/greatbath25.jpg


Mohenjo-daro (lit. Mound of the Dead, Sindhi: موئن جو دڙو/मूअनि जो दड़ो [muˑənⁱ ʥoˑ d̪əɽoˑ]) was one of the largest city-settlements of the Indus Valley Civilization of south Asia situated in the province of Sindh, Pakistan. Built around 2600 BCE, the city was one of the early urban settlements in the world, existing at the same time as the civilizations of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Crete. The archaeological ruins of the city are designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is sometimes referred to as "An Ancient Indus Valley Metropolis"

Mohenjo-daro in ancient times was most likely one of the administrative centers of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization. [6] It was the most developed and advanced city in South Asia, and perhaps the world, during its peak. The planning and engineering showed the importance of the city to the people of the Indus valley.[7]

The Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300–1700 BC, flowered 2600–1900 BC), abbreviated IVC, was an ancient riverine civilization that flourished in the Indus river valley in ancient India (now Pakistan and the present north-west India). Another name for this civilization is the "Harappan Civilization."

The Indus culture blossomed over the centuries and gave rise to the Indus Valley Civilization around 3000 BCE. The civilization spanned much of what is now Pakistan and North India, but suddenly went into decline around 1900 BCE. Indus Civilization settlements spread as far south as the Arabian Sea coast of India in Gujarat, as far west as the Iranian border, with an outpost in Bactria. Among the settlements were the major urban centers of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, as well as Lothal.

The Mohenjo-daro ruins were one of the major centres of this ancient society. At its peak, some archaeologists opine that the Indus Civilization may have had a population of well over five million.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohenjo-daro
http://www.mohenjodaro.net/mohenjodaroessay.html
http://www.harappa.com/har/har0.html (lot of pictures)


2. Arkaim

http://www.antran.ru/images/arkaim01.gif

Arkaim (Russian: Аркаим) is an archaeological site situated in the Southern Urals steppe, 8.2 kilometres (5.1 mi) north-to-northwest of Amurskiy, and 2.3 km (1.4 mi) south-to-southeast of Alexandronvskiy, two villages in the Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia, just to the north from the Kazakhstani border.

The site is generally dated to the 17th century BC. Earlier dates, up to the 20th century BC, have been proposed. It was a settlement of the Sintashta-Petrovka culture.

There are 4 entrances into the settlement through the outer and inner wall with the main entrance to the west. The dwellings were between 110–180 m2 (1,200–1,900 sq ft) in area. The outer ring of dwellings number 39 or 40, with entrances to a circular street in the middle of the settlement. The inner ring of dwellings number 27, arranged along the inner wall, with doors to the central square of 25 by 27 m (82 by 89 ft). The central street was drained by a covered channel. Zdanovich estimates that approximately 1500 to 2500 people could have lived in the settlement.

Surrounding Arkaim's walls, were arable fields, 130–140 m by 45 m (430–460 ft by 150 ft), irrigated by a system of canals and ditches. Remains of millet and barley seeds were found.

The 17th century date suggests that the settlement was about co-eval to, or just post-dating, the Indo-Aryan migration into South Asia and Mesopotamia (the Gandhara grave culture appearing in the Northern Pakistan from ca. 1600 BC, the Indo-European Mitanni rulers reached Anatolia before 1500 BC, both roughly 3,000 kilometres (1,900 mi) removed from the Sintashta-Petrovka area), and that it was either an early Iranian culture, or an unknown branch of Indo-Iranian that did not survive into historical times.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arkaim
http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0011/001123/112397e.pdf


3. Knossos Palace

http://www.artoffresco.com/03-History/03.2-crete/pic-knossos.jpg

Knossos Palace, is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete and probably the ceremonial and political centre of the Minoan civilization and culture. The palace appears as a maze of workrooms, living spaces, and store rooms close to a central square. Detailed images of Cretan life in the late Bronze Age are provided by images on the walls of this palace.
The great palace was built gradually between 1700 and 1400 BC, with periodic rebuildings after destruction. Structures preceded it on Kephala hill. The features currently most visible date mainly to the last period of habitation, which Evans termed Late Minoan. The palace has an interesting layout[3] - the original plan can no longer be seen because of the subsequent modifications. The 1300 rooms are connected with corridors of varying sizes and direction, which is different than other palaces of the time period which connected the rooms via several main hallways. The 6 acres (24,000 m2) of the palace included a theatre, a main entrance on each of its four cardinal faces, and extensive storerooms (also called magazines). The storerooms contained pithoi (large clay vases) that held oil, grains, dried fish, beans, and olives. Many of the items were created at the palace itself, which had grain mills, oil presses, and wine presses. Beneath the pithoi were stone holes used to store more valuable objects, such as gold. The palace used advanced architectural techniques: for example, part of it was built up to five storeys high.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knossos
http://www.ancient-greece.org/archaeology/knossos.html
http://www.interkriti.org/visits/knosos.htm

[kaptainplanet]

please kill me as i will just post the wiki article. I am a scum i know it, i am so sorry.
But this is something classical people had knowledge of, since pausanias talks about it( not that I am a scum, the Cyclopean Walls of Mycinai that I propose for a Wonder)
and thats it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclopean_masonry

[Basilisco]

The Pharos of Brigantia (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE)

Through the millennia many mythical stories of its origin have been told. According to a myth that blends Celtic and Greco-Roman elements, the hero Hercules slew the giant tyrant Geryon after three days and three nights of continuous battle. Hercules then—in a Celtic gesture— buried the head of Geryon with his weapons and ordered that a city be built on the site. The lighthouse atop a skull and crossbones representing the buried head of Hercules’ slain enemy appears in the coat-of-arms of the city of Corunna.

Another legend embodied in the 11th-century compilation Lebor Gabala Erren— the "Book of Invasions"— King Breogán, the founding father of the Galician Celtic nation, constructed here a massive tower of such a grand height that his sons could see a distant green shore from its top. The glimpse of that distant green land lured them to sail north to Ireland. A colossal statue of Breogán has been erected near the Tower.

The tower is thought to had been originally a simpler structure in pre-roman times, part of a chain of fire signals to guide merchant ships through the "Costa da Morte" (Coast of the Death), as this was a necessary route to reach the European Atlantic Coast from the Mediterranean, thus making Gallaecia a main trade center of the Atlantic since the bronze age, but also the most dangerous step!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:A_coruna_torre_de_hercules_sunset_edit.jpg

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:Zne0AIVqAvNU7M:http://www.fuenterrebollo.com/Heraldica-Piedra/Coruna/hercules-breogan-1.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_of_Hercules

[bobbin]

Interesting, although all I can find on it states that it was built sometime during the 1st century CE and so is outside of our timeframe.

Do you have a source for the pre-roman structure claim?

Welcome to the fourms by the way!

[Cyclops]

May I make an observation?

I'm guessing that wonders are unique features, "one-offs" and are given effects to reflect some important unique featuire of that province.

I know the acqueducts of Rome are awesome but aren't they covered by an existing building? Ditto the temple of Jupiter in Rome (the wonder, of course they should have the temple building-they do go up to "awesome" size).

Also some of the megalithic buildings are Neolithic/ bronze age constructions, does that mean they are not used in the EB period? As Macirille points out, there are large mounds of earth all over Europe.

Not suggesting a return to the "(mostly Greek) magical mega-buck Collossus" type of wonders, but I'm wondering if some of the features mentioned are covered by existing buildings, or belong perhaps in the "Province description" building?

If we take the original "Seven Wonders" as a baseline, are the megalithic structures of equal prominence and social influence as the Mausoleum?

I'm very impressed by wonders like the dam in Saba, the wall in Parthia etc. They seem to be unique, and wonderfully realised features.

[Hannibal Khan the Great]

I don't have any wonders to present right now, but could it be possible for the team to incorporate the ability to restore wonders? For example: Say Hayasdan gets the Orontid empire reforms, then maybe it can (albeit at a very high, multi-staged cost in terms of both time and money) rebuild the palace at Persepolis? Or maybe the Seleukids might be able to do the same thing, should they become Persophile enough? I'll start a brainstorming thread on the matter if anyone's interested.

[bobbin]

Also some of the megalithic buildings are Neolithic/ bronze age constructions, does that mean they are not used in the EB period? As Macirille points out, there are large mounds of earth all over Europe.
Not necessarily, there were plenty of neolithic sites still in use in EB's timeframe, although the fact they were in use is not important, all that is required is that they would be visible and known to the locals during the period.


Not suggesting a return to the "(mostly Greek) magical mega-buck Collossus" type of wonders, but I'm wondering if some of the features mentioned are covered by existing buildings, or belong perhaps in the "Province description" building?
This was stated in the OP.



We are looking for two kinds of things.

1. "Wonders of the Ancient World" that could be made into Unique Buildings as in EB1.
2. Significant and interesting features of geography or culture that could be part of the Province Building descriptions.

[dkdnt]

Hi, :balloon2:

i don`t know if anyone of you ever heard about islands of Socotra (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socotra) in Indian ocean? Recently i came across them and was intrigued by their beauty and uniqueness.
Best of all, the isles are already on EB 1.2map, small group in bottom right corner, just northeast of African horn (which is not visible on the map). You can see it here (https://img472.imageshack.us/img472/476/ebmap090antiqueno9.jpg).


Socotra, or Dioskouridou as islands are called in Periplus of the Erythraean Sea (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periplus_of_the_Erythraean_Sea) (See map here (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a5/Map_of_the_Periplus_of_the_Erythraean_Sea.jpg)), is unique natural site with it indigenous flora and fauna, much like Galapagos in Pacific is. Today it is protected by UNESCO-s, so it is not tourist site (thanks God).
Beside that, as history recorded (in given article about Greek navigation guide) Socotra was inhabited long time ago. There have been findings of early paleolithic culture there, and spot itself was great place for afro-asian trade routes, so there have been some evidence (http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/8-10-2005-74609.asp) in favor of small prosperous port there. Also, they suggest that people there were mixed nationalities and multi religious. I think that it is safe to asume they were part of Kingodm of Saba. Mostly because settlements like this one:
http://www.turisbot.com/images/socotra.jpg
And cuz of trade with incense by which it is famous. Mostly because of Dragons Blood (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon's_blood) :D
Here are some other images from the isles today:
http://www.yobserver.com/uploads/1/dragon_blood_tree_galleryfull-1.jpg
http://www.fun2fun.info/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/socotra_02.jpg
http://www.nativetreesociety.org/worldtrees/africa/socotra/socotra1.jpg

Socotra is home for some 600-700 animal and plant species that cant be find anywhere in the world. Due to its natural uniqueness i think that Socotra should be considered as "Wonder" for some Sabean province, or even as new region, but this is not topic about that.

Anyway, i hope this info could help you guys. I started EB few days ago, and was thrilled that there is ongoing project of EB for M2TW. I`m somewhat out of major info with all of this, so if there is something unclear, or obsolete in my post regarding wonders for EB2, i`m sorry, and would be gratefull for insight of any kind.

:)

[Moros]

Hi dkdnt, great to hear you love our mod and are looking forward to our new project.

While the Island surely has a unique ecosystem and is home to interesting and unique forms of life, however I don't think many people living in the hellenistic era were much influenced or intrigued by it. This threads is about fans suggesting wonders such as important buildings, temples, important relgious sites,... and many other things that had an impact on the life of the people living close to it. Now as I have no sources on Sabaeans or any other ancient people for that matter regarding it as holy ground or studying trees or something on the Island, I doubt the Island had no real importance. Except for it being the home for the people living upon it. Also the Island was most probably Qatabân territory at our start date.

[dkdnt]

I understand your argument. I just thought it would be great idea to mention Socotra due to second part of this:

We are looking for two kinds of things.

1. "Wonders of the Ancient World" that could be made into Unique Buildings as in EB1.
2. Significant and interesting features of geography or culture that could be part of the Province Building descriptions.

Also, if you take a look at this text (http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/8-10-2005-74609.asp) you`ll notice that this island was part of vivid trade routes. It never was dens populated, nor major port in any sense, but i`m pretty sure that it wasn't isolated as you may think.

Now, the real problem for EB is time. Info i have presented is somewhat inaccurate about historic periods, although last link consider Socotra isles ~1 C AD. That is too late for EB starting age, but it suggest, with archeological data, that Socotra was continuously inhabited from the very beginning of homo sapiens, and even before.

Now, kingdom of Saba was famous by intensive incense trade with cultures from Mediterranean cultural basin. Socotra scarce mentioning in history book is almost always related with its importance in this trade:



The fame and historic important of Socotra dates back to the beginning of holy commodities trade prosperity and the activity of the old trade route which is much better known as Frankincense, Myrrh and Laudanum route for the island was one of the main producers of such essential commodities in addition to its being the back reserve for the support of Yemeni ancient Hadramawt Civilization along the first millenium BC when the kingdom of Hadramawt was named ( kingdom of Frankincense, Myrrh and Laudanum).

from:
http://www.socotra-yemen.com/en/news1.html


Dont know for sure how important it was at EB given time, but i can say it looks interesting enough.

Btw, i`m old-new to forum, and completely new to EB sub-forum, so i dont know much about project news and plans, but i`ll try to be informed as much as possible.

Also, Socotra was on top of my mind considering ancient world wonders and perhaps i`ll have more ideas regarding everything. So it would be nice to know for how long you will be open to suggestion?

[Moros]

Don't know how long, but long.

Sorry but at the moment I don't really see a reason why Socotra needs a wonder building representing it...

[Fluvius Camillus]

Don't know how long, but long.

Sorry but at the moment I don't really see a reason why Socotra needs a wonder building representing it...

He is not referring to that. He would like to see Socotra being incorporated into the province description "Qataban".


We are looking for two kinds of things.

1. "Wonders of the Ancient World" that could be made into Unique Buildings as in EB1.
2. Significant and interesting features of geography or culture that could be part of the Province Building descriptions.

~Fluvius

[Moros]

He is not referring to that. He would like to see Socotra being incorporated into the province description "Qataban".
~Fluvius

Ah I see, still have to write that one. But be sure it will mention Socotra.

[dkdnt]

It is nice we came to understanding :) And i`m sorry I was unclear before, so thanks to Fluvius for clearing things out.
Now, i can add a line or two, that describes Socotra in Qataban province (based on that navigation guide) if you dont have time. I`m journalist, anthropologist and history geek so i should be able to do this nicely. You just need to give some hint on how to do so. Or i can write description here, so you can add it in your description? Just let me know how long it should be :)

[dkdnt]

Ok, one thing so obvoious I just had to miss it - Incense route (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incense_Route). I mentioned it before about Kingdom of Saba. I dont know if this is already included in EB, but if not it should be, considering how important it was, not only for kingdoms that were on route, but even for later shape of Christian church.

[Moros]

Yes the incense route will obviously be included in EB, not as a wonder if it's up to me, but it will be there.

Well every province will be having a description with geography, history,... sections. Now there's not a socotra province, but it is part of the Qatabân province ans as such will be mentioned in it. So a real description of Socotra isn't really necessary to prepare.

However if you want to try your hand at writing full province descriptions that's something else. We can obviously use help there (as there are 199 of them to write), but then you will have to do some serious research. Especially if you want to write about this region. But if you think you're up for that you can always feel free to contact me.

[apollodorus]

How about Sarmizegetusa for Dacia?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarmizegetusa_Regia

[Fluvius Camillus]

How about Sarmizegetusa for Dacia?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarmizegetusa_Regia

Welcome to the forums!

We will pardon you because you are new to the forums~D, but...

If you did read the other pages, you would see there are two things wrong your post:

1. The people who manage the thread ask for your own research, not simply posting a wiki article. If you like your wonder to be included, write something about it, What was special about it? Why does it deserve a place as a wonder?

2, Sarmizegethusa is already in Europa Barbarorum and so is the Kogaion.

Enjoy your stay at the EB forums!:thumbsup:

~Fluvius

[Trve Leveller]

Hi
Since holy stones are already in, i thought it would be interesting to add another characteristic feature of pre-islamic arabia:

Holy Trees.
They were also called Dhāt Anwāt (that on which things are hung) because worshippers hung ostrich eggs, textiles and weapons on them. Those trees were also places of animal sacrifice.

The most famous example are the three Umbrella Thorn Acaciae of al-ʿUzzā in Nakhlah near
Qudayd (Mekka). Al-ʿUzzā was an important pre-islamic godess (one of mekkas main gods) often compared to Venus or Isis.

here you can see a picture of a umrbrella acacia:
http://www.nikon-fotografie.de/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=7845&pictureid=105978

There also was a holy date palm in najran.
So these could be added as wonders or as descriptions of cultural habits in region buildings.

sources:
http://www.answering-islam.org/Books/Al-Kalbi/uzza.htm
http://www.jrank.org/cultures/pages/4945/Arabian-mythology.html
William Robertson Smith: Lectures on the Religion of the Semites. The fundamental institutions. 3. Aufl. London 1927, S. 185

[Ludens]

But isn't this a general phenomenon rather than a site-specific wonder? Holy trees and groves were quite common amongst the Celts and Germans, if I am not mistaken.

Welcome to the .Org, BTW ~:wave: .

[strategos roma]

I would like to suggest the Solomon's temple at Jerusalem.

It was the spiritual center of the Jewish people and was exceedingly important. Also, while it is now a ruin nowadays, its size, design and other details have been recorded by Josephus, the Bible and also Roman sources.

BTW, would it be possible for some monuments, eg the Acropolis to appear in the city itself.

[Horatius Flaccus]

It's already in:


To Hieron en tois Hierosolymois (The Holy Temple in Hierosolyma)

[Ludens]

BTW, would it be possible for some monuments, eg the Acropolis to appear in the city itself.

It is possible, but a lot of work for a rather minor detail.

[Khazar_Dahvos]

what about the underground cities such as Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı in Cappadocia for either use in the regions description or as a wonder. In the 5th century B.C. historian Xenophon's Anabasis. In this work he describes his visit to a nearby town named "Dana" where the villagers had underground dwellings. Xenophon mentions that the entrances to the cities resembled wells; the rooms, however, were quite large, and some were used for housing goats, sheep, and poultry. Corn, rice, and barley wine were stored in large jars. Xenophon warns about a potent barley wine and advises that it be diluted with water. I am sure this is nothing new to you guys but i cant remember if it was brought up before.

[Ca Putt]

reading Herodot I came about some locations I don't remember seeing here or in EB1, sady my informations are rather limited all I found in the Internet were mainly direct references to herodot, but maybe someone else already has some info on them and got "reminded" by this post, still I'll continue research if they are estimed "wonderous" enough that is ;)

Tomb of Alyattes II in the Necropolis of the Lydian Kings near Sardis

"white Pillars" in Caria

whereas there is some info on Alyattes the only reference to the white pillars is herodot :/ he discribes it as a "gathering point the Carians gathered at when threatened.

[Loverartis]

Hi everybody,
Could be a good idea if I research something about Hatshepsut's temple, Luxor temple, Karnak temple or Philip II's tomb in Aigai? Are there useful?

[Arjos]

VI century BC Golaseccan astronomical observatory
http://www.duepassinelmistero.com/Grandecerchio.htm

http://www.duepassinelmistero.com/Grande1.jpg
http://www.duepassinelmistero.com/Grande4.jpg
http://www.duepassinelmistero.com/Grande7.jpg
http://www.duepassinelmistero.com/Grande6.jpg

Sorry but I could find an english site...
In a nutshell the site was build to keep track of the stars, two concentric circles of 69 and 67 m...
Celtic's incineration tombs had been found next to it, the Oppidum of Como was really close (10 km with today's roads, I'll say about 4 km in a straight line), also thanks to the heliacal rising of Antares, Aldebaran, Capella and Sirio seasons could be determined.

The site was used for a century, but the Orobii (celto-ligurian people) settled the area since the bronze age.

Just wanted to post it, because I was born right there XD

[Davil92]

Hello all!
I did a little reaserch and found a very interesting site in my homeland that would be very cool in EB: Poseidon's temple at Taras!
Taras, as it was known to the Greeks, was a well-chosen site and soon became the first city of Magna Graecia, renowned for its wool, its oysters and mussels, and its dyes – the imperial purple was the product of decayed Tarentine molluscs. Resplendent with temples, its acropolis harboured a vast bronze of Poseidon that was one of the wonders of the ancient world. Sadly, little remains of ancient Taras or even of later Roman Tarentum, their monuments and relics confined to the great museum in the modern city.
It was a doric temple, archaic, dating to the V century BC and still completely recognisable till the XVII century. It was Magna Graecia's oldest and most famous temple, today all that is left are two colums and theyr bases. They are 8,47 metres tall and 2,05 metrse in diameter.
From the studies it has emerged that the temple was made up of 6 colums on the shorter sides and 13 on the longer.
Although it was attributed to worship of poseidon, we can't rule out worship of other gods such as Arthemis, Hera or Persephones.
This is a link to an image of the colums: http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archivo:Colonne_Doriche_a_Taranto.jpg.
If it's interesting enough for you i'll do more reaserch, if not i'll find another.
Oh and also, I'm currently in galicia, so if there are any sites here that are interesting i'd really appreciate it if yall would tell me so I can go there myself, (of course relevant to the timeframe of EB)

[Davil92]

Wow, more than 150 views, but not one reply....:inquisitive:

[Loverartis]

Hi Devil92,

Hi everybody,
Could be a good idea if I research something about Hatshepsut's temple, Luxor temple, Karnak temple or Philip II's tomb in Aigai? Are there useful?
I'm still waiting for an answer, too.

Hello all!
I did a little reaserch and found a very interesting site in my homeland that would be very cool in EB: Poseidon's temple at Taras!
Taras, as it was known to the Greeks, was a well-chosen site and soon became the first city of Magna Graecia, renowned for its wool, its oysters and mussels, and its dyes – the imperial purple was the product of decayed Tarentine molluscs. Resplendent with temples, its acropolis harboured a vast bronze of Poseidon that was one of the wonders of the ancient world. Sadly, little remains of ancient Taras or even of later Roman Tarentum, their monuments and relics confined to the great museum in the modern city.
It was a doric temple, archaic, dating to the V century BC and still completely recognisable till the XVII century. It was Magna Graecia's oldest and most famous temple, today all that is left are two colums and theyr bases. They are 8,47 metres tall and 2,05 metrse in diameter.
From the studies it has emerged that the temple was made up of 6 colums on the shorter sides and 13 on the longer.
Although it was attributed to worship of poseidon, we can't rule out worship of other gods such as Arthemis, Hera or Persephones.
This is a link to an image of the colums: http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archivo..._a_Taranto.jpg.
If it's interesting enough for you i'll do more reaserch, if not i'll find another.
Oh and also, I'm currently in galicia, so if there are any sites here that are interesting i'd really appreciate it if yall would tell me so I can go there myself, (of course relevant to the timeframe of EB)
If you want my personal opinion, I believe Poseidon's temple shoud be very useful for EB II, Taras was one of the larger cities in III BC (It seem to me that Taras was conquered by Romans exactly in 272 BC!). And for Galicia, It doesn't occur to me anything. Have you found something in that area?

[Davil92]

Well, all i've found is some iron age stuff here, nothing really relevant to eb's timeframe, i've been looking but it's kinda hard to know what people worshipped some 2000 years ago... ah e secondo te come mai ci mettono tanto a rispondere i moderatori? cioè io credo che le vedano le risposte... boh, mi semrano tutte idee abbastanza buone, non so...

[bobbin]

Sorry guys the Odysseous hae been pretty busy and probably hasn't had time to look over the thread in a while.

These are some good wonders your posted up, the Golaseccan astronomical observatory in particular looks very interesting

@Davil92, Khazar Dahvos, Ca Putt: Looks good, can you link or state the sources for your information though? It helps the historians no end.

@Loveratis I think those temples are already in EB as the Nekropolis Thebaie wonder, no need to research Phillips tomb though as the Aigai is already a wonder in EB.

[Loverartis]

@Loveratis I think those temples are already in EB as the Nekropolis Thebaie wonder, no need to research Phillips tomb though as the Aigai is already a wonder in EB.

Thanks bobbin, I will research something else. I want to ask a thing: I note that Pergamon's acropolis isn't present in EB I. In fact the altar and part of the area were built about in 200 BC (after the date of the beginning of the game). But it's a pity that it isn't present... What could be done?

[Davil92]

Ok, i'll write my sources, but know that i did kind of a collage, and the info is scarse, but here are the sites: http://www.travelitaly24.com/category/italy-destinations/taranto, of course the italian wikipedia is a good source for info and includes even more info than what i found....http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempio_di_Poseidone_%28Taranto%29; http://www.tarantoincartolina.com/default.asp?evento=articolo&art=99 and that should be all, some of them are in italian, so if you need any help in transalting them just ask! =)

[Davil92]

Was this useful?

[Arjos]

Davil, sono già occupati a fare l'ottimo lavoro che fanno (e lasciamoli fare così finiscono anche prima ^^).
Hai postato le info, loro vedranno cosa fare, se dovessero aver bisogno d'aiuto ti contatteranno di sicuro ;)

[Davil92]

Aaah be certamente non vorrei farli rallentare è solo che mi piacerebbe sapere se il mio lavoro è stato utile!

[bobbin]

Yes, thank you Davil92.

[Ichon]

I posted this awhile ago in TWC but the Uplistsikhe caves in Georgia could potentially be an interesting wonder as that part of the map is rather empty. I haven't had time to look for more scholarly research aside from learning that there aren't many people working on it and much of the pre-Medieval period is rather undocumented. It appears from excavations already done that the current 150 caves are only a portion of the 700 or more likely present before several earthquakes and a couple millenia of erosion. There are signs of relatively widespread religious activities associated with the worship of Mitra or some other god which shares many common images like Mithras whose underground mithraea would make sense and that Mithras was associated with Persian or Zoroastrian culture is documented. https://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz343/FYBsomething/Historical/Uplistsikhe1.jpg
https://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz343/FYBsomething/Historical/Uplistsikhe2.jpg

The second are the places where Zoroaster received his visions. Near a river probably somewhere to north of present day Afghanistan then at various mountains and natural places around Medea or Bactria. No exact locations are now known but it would not be a huge stretch to include something like Mt Ushia-darena, supposedly the second location Zoroaster received the continuation of his vision by the river. Ancient Greeks seemed to have been fascinated by Zoroaster and some wonders in Bactria despite being undiscovered by modern archeology aside from a few inscriptions or very small places of worship seem justified especially with the lack of current wonders in that area.
https://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz343/FYBsomething/Historical/Bactres-Balkh.jpg

[Ayce]

I haven't checked this forum out for a long time, and I don't know when I'm gonna get back into playing a Total War game, but I thought I'd pitch in with a suggestion here:

The Sarmisegetuza Sanctuary:

http://www.pensiunea-sarmisegetuza.ro/_imagini/sarmisegetuza-regia-sanctuarul-mare.jpg

http://www.ziaremondene.ro/files/photos/big/45/20445/sarmisegetuza.jpg

http://civilizatiadaca.dap.ro/Image/Poze%20Cetati/07.Sarmisegetuza_Regia_Sanctuare_mici_patrulatere.jpg

As well as the Danube Delta as a natural wonder.

[neo_deus]

Dont't know if this thread is dead/closed or if the team has already decided on a final list, but here goes nothing :)

My suggestion is the now known as "Cromeleque dos Almendres" situated on a hill near the city of Évora, in Portugal. It's the largest megalithic monument in all the Iberian Peninsula and one of the most important in all of Europe.

http://www2.cm-evora.pt/guiaturistico/Frances/Images/023.jpg

http://www.esacademic.com/pictures/eswiki/67/Cromeleque_dos_Almendres1341.JPG

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2562/3840955125_7c0f3dd08b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3068/4560795680_74a11998df.jpg

http://www.igespar.pt/pt/patrimonio/pesquisa/geral/patrimonioimovel/detail/69690/

I'm sending this pics along with the link to the IGESPAR (institute for the management of the arquitectonic and archeologic patrimony) where you can find some more info. If you need some help translating from the portuguese, just give me a heads up.

[NikosMaximilian]

I don't know how far the EBII map will stretch, so may I ask if Lake (http://classic-web.archive.org/web/20080101111204/http://in.news.yahoo.com/071228/139/6oy8j.html) Issyk Kul (http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20071227/94372640.html) will be included?

If so, these recent discoveries could be considered to give the Sakas a wonder.

[Tanit]

Any geographical feature which existed in 272 BC and is present on the EB1 map will be present on the EB2 map.

[fomalhaut]

i had a question regarding the Lions Gate at the Mycenean citadel; was there a reason for its exclusion? it seems like a very obvious entry as a wonder and halfway through writing a request i realized there must be a reason for its exclusion, correct? Or am i over emphasizing its importance?

[Teleklos Archelaou]

The Greeks of the classical and hellenistic periods knew about it, but there doesn't seem to be much indication that they did that much about it. There was some tourist trade there near Mycenae (I seem to recall that touristy little axes sold near there that were like the one Agamemnon was killed with), but we don't have any real evidence that substantial numbers of people went out of their way to go there much or that it affected the local economy or would have caused (an imaginary anway) "boost" to morale for soldiers around there. And especially given all the other stuff in that province (Olympic Games, Statue of Zeus, Isthmian Games, Epidauros, Acrocorinth, Temple of Apollo at Bassai, tons of other temples, sanctuaries, etc.). The Lion Gate is very important archaeologically today (only surviving piece of monumtental Bronze Age art in Greece), but the amount if would merit inclusion vs those other things in the region is too weak.

[Arjos]

I don't know if this is already ingame or not, as it's quite famous I believe, and could be two or get coupled together:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/20100706_Terrace_of_the_Lions_Delos_Cyclades_Greece.jpg/800px-20100706_Terrace_of_the_Lions_Delos_Cyclades_Greece.jpg

The terrace of the Lions to represent Delos, or to get more accurate Apollo's temple could be ok...
Place should still wield some political influence...

http://www.pigeon.gr/new/image0004.jpg

This is the other one, the sanctuary to Poseidon and Amphitrites in the near island of Tinos...
A very good place for the hellenistic period, as it was the most important temple related to the sea, where the Poseidonia were held annually; and most of all it was the seat of the Nesiotic League (or league of the islanders) founded by Monophthalmos...
People visited first Tinos to get "cleansed" and then moved to Delos...
Could be cool if the region holding it rewarded with the trait of hegemon of the league, with influence bonuses and such; Philadelphos should already have it at the start date I think...

[Justin]

First post here-

I am going to post on topic, but first a quick introduction. I went on a research trip to Morocco a few years back, and I have compiled several natural sites that might be of interest to EB2. Also, I have been following this mod for quite a while so would like to contribute.

Dadès Gorges

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/98/Gorges_du_dades03.jpg/250px-Gorges_du_dades03.jpg

"The Dades Gorge is a scenically beautiful section of the Dades River valley separating the Atlas Mountains from the Anti Atlas. The Gorge is best known for mesmerizing scenery and the Kasbahs set precariously amongst it overlooking the river below. Gravity defying rock stacks in all shades of red look as though they’ll crumble in front of your eyes and are deeply cut by gullies created by the persistent action of the river and weather. The road north from Boumalne Dades, with its switchbacks and magnificent views is a great way to see the gorge itself, but one that is clearly used by large numbers of tourists as is borne out by the increasingly esoteric mix of road side attractions, ranging from the traditional jewelry and fossil stands, to an elaborate full sized biblical scene in papier-mâché (including high-fiving messiah) on our most recent visit."

From http://www.naturalhighsafaris.com/explore/morocco/dades-gorge-and-erfoud

Erg Chebbi

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Merzouga_Dunes_2011.jpg/280px-Merzouga_Dunes_2011.jpg

"The dunes of Erg Chebbi reach a height of up to 150 meters and altogether spans an area of 22 kilometers from north to south and up to 5-10 kilometers from east to west."

-from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erg_Chebbi

I have been to both of these locations and I can tell you that they are wonders. The sand dunes at Erg Chebbi are giant, enormous dunes, and really dwarf you. I had trouble climbing one of these dunes when I stayed at the oasis at Erg Chebbi. I know that EB2 is a historically accurate MOD which is the reason why I love it, so the only criticism I can give these two wonders is that the names supplied are from French (gorge) and Arabic (Chebbi) I don't know what they would have been called in ancient times. Berber tribes would have inhabited these regions as both of these locations lay beyond the Atlas and Anti-Atlas Mountains.

The city of Volubilis (which is absent from EB1) was the provincial capital of Mauritania for Rome during the Empire period. However, their reach did not extend beyond the mountains (based on my knowledge of the area and site) so these two wonders would have been held by the Berber tribes and like I said I don't know what they would have called these two regions.

[sakhr]

Wonder
The Marib dam, i dont know if this have been listed

[Moros]

It was already in EB I. ~:)

[Myth]

Suggestion: Thracian Burial Mounds
Location: the Balkans (modern day Bulgaria and Macedonia)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/Tomb_sveshtari2-1-.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/18/Kazanluk_1.jpg/631px-Kazanluk_1.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1f/Aleksandrovska_grobniza.JPG/800px-Aleksandrovska_grobniza.JPG

There are approximately 60,000 burial mounds and sacred sites dating from Thracian times on Bulgarian soil, of which only 100 have been researched. Especially interesting is the "Valley of the Thracian Kings" (a modern name), a valley with more than 1000 burial mounds concentrated in a relatively small area. The oldest date from the late Bronze age, and the newest from the early Iron age. They doubled as burial sites and sacred places and are often filled with riches and works of art. If need arises, I can translate this (http://bg.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A2%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8_%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%86%D0 %B8_%D0%B8_%D1%81%D0%B2%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%89%D0%B0) and other articles on the matter.

Suggested bonus: 5% global law bonus to your settlements if you hold the wonder. Cannot be destroyed. It grants a trait which adds +1 Influence to whomever visits the settlement which holds them (should probably be Serdica).

[Arjos]

Been reading about the Diadochoi recently and I think these two would be great additions:

Oracle and Temple of Apollo in Didyma. The second most famous oracle, after Delphoi. It held panhellenic games and it was here, during the third successors war, that the oracle called Seleukos as "basileus", for the first time. (I think even among all the successors, as they still took the regency or the lordship/generalship of Europe and Asia). Nikator obviously paid for its reconstruction :P

http://www.travelephesus.com/userfiles/image/didim_apollon.jpg

And the Tyche of Antiocheia. Very important for the population, during those trouble times. Many cities quickly developed a cult for their icons of fortune. This particular one, would've had its own temple and was a large bronze statue (unfortunately, we have only roman copies today).

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/Tyche_Antioch_Vatican_Inv2672.jpg/507px-Tyche_Antioch_Vatican_Inv2672.jpg

[Empire*Of*Media]

Gate Of ISHTAR & Hanging Gardens in Babylon

Great Persepolis (takhte-Jamshid) In Persia

Gates of Ctesiphon

Temple of Mithra in SUSA & Kangawar & Urmiya

unfortunately i cant bring you models and pics !!

[Ibrahim]

@ Aram: most of these already exist in game. I know the persopolis and Ishtar are in.


Ctesiphon wasn't a major center at the time, so I don't know what it has to do with anything. I don't know enough about the cult of Mithra/Mithras to make a judgement.

[Empire*Of*Media]

@ Aram: most of these already exist in game. I know the persopolis and Ishtar are in.


Ctesiphon wasn't a major center at the time, so I don't know what it has to do with anything. I don't know enough about the cult of Mithra/Mithras to make a judgement.

in EB II ?! really ?! and is seeing it on battle map possible?!

about ctesiphon your right, it was major center in Sassanids !!

mitha isnt a cult, but an ancient religion more older than even jewish, somehow extremely respect to nature and females, that infuenced greatly into ancient greeks culture and religions, into christianity, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism & many many aspects that require long discussion!

[Arjos]

in EB II ?! really ?! and is seeing it on battle map possible?!

They are already in EBI and the Hanging Gardens are even on the battle map...

As for Ctesiphon, it did not exist in 272 BCE, so it is out...

[Ludens]

in EB II ?! really ?! and is seeing it on battle map possible?!

I am not sure if it's possible to put them on the battle map. In EB1, the team simply reused the wonders from basic R:TW. However, this may not be possible in EB2.


mitha isnt a cult, but an ancient religion more older than even jewish

That's true (at least, if you accept that Judaism originated in the first millenium B.C.), although it's more correct to say that Mithra is a deity. For most of his "career", Mithra was just one god in a pantheon.

Incidentally, "cult" does not always mean "sect". It can also mean devotion to a specific aspect of a religion - the cult of a saint, for example. In Classical religion, a cult refers to the worship of a specific deity, like Mithra or Isis. Hence, many European texts speak of the Mithra cult, as we are most familiar with Mithra as a Roman mystery cult that competed with early Christianity.

[Ibrahim]

in EB II ?! really ?! and is seeing it on battle map possible?!

Persepolis is definitely visible: unless they've changed things around, it should be a provincial capital. As to the Hanging gardens? look, you asked if it would be in the game--to which the answer is obviously a yes. why you assume it has to be on the battle-map is a complete mystery.


about ctesiphon your right, it was major center in Sassanids !!

so why bring it up then? :inquisitive:


mitha isnt a cult, but an ancient religion more older than even jewish, somehow extremely respect to nature and females, that infuenced greatly into ancient greeks culture and religions, into christianity, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism & many many aspects that require long discussion!

See Luden's answer....

[mattgregg87]

Plutonium at Hierapolis, Plutonium in Latin, Ploutonion in Greek, (Pluto’s Gate)

Plutonium near the Meander at Hierapolis (modern Pamukkale) was a deep cave with narrow opening (stomion), filled with misty poisonous vapors, which killed every animal entering the cave. Only the galli, eunuch priests of Cybele were able to enter the cave, either due to their techniques of holding their breath, or antidotes, or a phenomenon like enthousiasmos. The Plutonium has been identified: it comprises a deep chamber and a hole, 0.9m wide, emitting highly poisonous gases. Even in the courtyard in front of this chamber the smell is very sharp, and the doorway to the inner part of the Pltonium is blocked for security reasons. Thus ancient accounts of gas discharge have been verified by modern scientists and found precise.

Though the exact age of the site is currently unknown, the nearby city of Hierapolis was founded around the year 190 BC by the King of Pergamum, Eumenes II.[3] The site is built on top of a cave which emits toxic gases, hence its use as a ritual passage to the underworld. Ritual animal sacrifices were common at the site. Animals would be thrown into the cave and pulled back out with ropes that had been tied to them. Archaeologists noted that the fumes emitted from the cavern still maintain their deadly properties as they recorded passing birds, attracted by the warm air, suffocated after breathing the toxic fumes.[3]

The Ploutonion was described by several ancient writers including Strabo,[4] Cassius Dio and Damascius. It is a small cave, just large enough for one person to enter through a fenced entrance, beyond which stairs go down, and from which emerges suffocating carbon dioxide gas caused by underground geologic activity. Behind the 3 square metres (32 sq ft) roofed chamber is a deep cleft in the rock, through which fast flowing hot water passes releasing a sharp smelling gas.[5][3] Because people died in the gas, people thought that the gas was sent by Pluto, god of the underworld.[citation needed]

During the early years of the town, the castrated priests of Cybele known as the Galli descended into the Plutonium, crawled over the floor to pockets of oxygen or held their breath. Carbon dioxide is heavier than air and so tends to settle in hollows. They then came up to show that they were immune to the gas. People believed a miracle had happened and that therefore the priests were infused with superior powers and had divine protection.[citation needed][4][6]
The site was closed off during the Christian times in the 6th century AD but was rediscovered in 2013 by archaeologists.

[mattgregg87]

Sorry, I couldn't post links or images on my first post. I can't figure out how to do images anyway so here's a couple links.
Pictures on the first and third link.

http://www.ritmeyer.com/2013/04/02/the-gate-of-hell/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ploutonion_at_Hierapolis

http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/news/hierapolis-and-the-gateway-to-hell/

[mattgregg87]

Sorry, I couldn't post links or pictures on my first post, I can't figure out how to post pictures anyway.
So here's a couple links. Pictures on the first and third link.

http://www.ritmeyer.com/2013/04/02/the-gate-of-hell/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ploutonion_at_Hierapolis

http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/news/hierapolis-and-the-gateway-to-hell/

[Ludens]

Hello mattgregg87,

Apologies: your second and third post were put in the spam queue. I've put them back in the thread again.

Thanks for your contribution. For the record: when copying material from another site, use quotation marks to make clear which bit of your post is quoted and which is original.

[CanOmer]

Tombs of Lycia - Lycians, 5th century BC

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/River_Dalyan_Tombs_RB4.jpg
http://westwards.typepad.com/photos/turkey_december/xanthos1.jpg http://www.lycianturkey.com/images/pinara-tombs-2.jpg

All pre-Greek people of Anatolia built beautiful monumental tombs associated with some form of ancestor worship. The Lycians developed this form of art to perfection, no doubt facilitated by the soft limestone of the region. The quality of stonemasonry of the Lycian people is noteworthy and is especially significant in the construction of tombs. Today the entire landscape of Lycia is still dotted with their fascinating funerary monuments. The most recent count has revealed one thousand and eighty-five examples still intact, rock-cut tombs being the most common form. Lycia is famous for the sheer number of tombs and their quality.

One thing that sets Lycian tombs apart from Hellenistic tradition is that whereas in Hellenistic culture the dead were placed outside of liveable areas (often flanking main roads into the cities), Lycian tombs are often integrated right into cities, displaying Lycia's ties with eastern traditions. This is very noticeable, for instance, at Patara, where monumental tombs are proudly placed right alongside the harbor. A monumental temple-tomb is even located beside the huge imperial granary and the main trade center. The Lycians, in effect, were always living with their departed ones.

The Lycians seem to have held a belief that the souls of their dead would be transported from the tombs to the afterworld by a sort of winged siren-like creature, and so often placed their tombs along the coast or at the top of cliffs when they were not integrated into the liveable areas of the cities.

Further reading: http://www.lycianturkey.com/lycian_tombs.htm
Short video about Lycian tombs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp5BXVb-gQc

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hattush - Ruins of Hattian Capital, 12th century BC

The first "settling in" around Boğazköy took place in the 6th millennium BC during the Chalcolithic period, when small widely scattered hamlets appeared most particularly on mountain slopes and rocky outcroppings.

Late in the 3rd millenium BC, towards the end of the Early Bronze Age, a Hattian settlement developed, marking the beginning of continuous occupation at the site. The Hattians, native Anatolians, called their town Hattush.

During the Middle Bronze Age the Hattian occupation grew into a city of such significance that a Karum was established here in the 19th and 18th centuries BC - a trading post of Assyrian merchants who had come from Assur. With their caravans of donkeys they transported goods to and from Mesopotamia, and along their route they also dealt in local Anatolian products, thus stimulating a certain "globalization". It was these Assyrian traders who first introduced writing to Anatolia.

The ruins excavated demonstrate that the city of Hattush was burned down in a great conflagration around 1700 BC. Responsible was King Anitta from Kussar, who also put a curse on the site. But already by the second half of the 17th century BC the temptation to settle here again had obviously become overwhelming, for a Hittite king had indeed chosen the site as his residence and capital. The Hattian Hattush was now the Hittite Hattusha, and the king took the name of Hattushili, or "one from Hattusha." This is the beginning of the story of the Hittite capital and the Hittite Royals - until now, 27 kings are known by their names.

The Old Hittite city comprised an area of almost 1 square kilometer; it was protected by a massive fortification wall. On the high ridge of Büyükkale was the residence of the Great King, and the city lay on the slope below to the northwest, reaching to the valley below. In the course of time great effort was spent on the development of the Upper City. This area south of the Old City was included into the city limits through the erection of a new 3.3-km long defense wall with several monumental gates, thus bringing the size of the city to 182 hectares. Within the wall a great many large structures were built, among them many temples - houses for "the Thousand Gods of the Hatti Land". (Source: http://www.hattuscha.de/English/cityhistory1.htm )

The End of the Capital City Hattusha (ca. 1200/1180 BC)

With the decline of its great empire, the capital lost its influence and thereby also its role as a political, economic and religious center. Little by little its residents drifted away and certainly the last known Hittite king, the Great King Shupiluliuma II, son of Tudhaliya IV, did not remain in Hattusha to the bitter end. He may well have moved his court elsewhere, thus sealing the fate of the city.

Various complexes of the Empire period-the royal palace, certain temples, and stretches of the fortification walls among them-reveal signs of a fiery destruction. At least part of this devastation can only be attributed to the hands of an enemy. When the invaders entered the city, however, they must have found it nearly deserted, for the rooms destroyed by the fire had already been virtually cleared of their contents. Only what was worthless or stationary had been left behind. To the former category belong the records, the documents on file in the clay tablet archives; to the second, furnishings such as the huge storage vessels in the temple magazines.

Until very recently we were dependent entirely on speculation as to who was responsible for the final desertion of the Hittite city. No trace whatever had been found of invaders who took over the site and settled here. It was assumed that the Kashkans, the restless northern neighbors of the Hittites, had dealt the dying city the fatal blow. Finally in 1996 the small settlement of a foreign population was discovered on the ridge of Büyükkaya. These people, who were by no means Hittites, settled down here after the desertion of the city. With them begins the Iron Age history of the site.

The Hellenistic/Galatian Period

The Asian expedition of Alexander the Great marks the beginnings of the Hellenistic period in Asia Minor. Although at first it had little impact on Central Anatolia, in the first half of the 3rd century BC Celtic Galatian emigrants from central Europe settled here. The site of Tavium near the village Büyük Nefesköy some 20 km south of Boğazköy became the seat of the Trokmer clan, who took the land around Hattusha/Boğazköy under their control. Büyükkale once again became a fortified citadel, and a small village occupied part of what had been the Lower City. The painted pottery characteristic of the Galatians was recovered here, as well as vessels imported from the Hellenistic cities along the west coast.

Further reading: http://www.hattuscha.de/English/cityhistory2.htm

The Lion Gate
http://www.hattuscha.de/02-037-360x275.jpg

The Rampart of Yerkapı, Sphinxgate
http://www.hattuscha.de/02-053-250x375.jpg http://www.hattuscha.de/02-056-250x375.jpg http://www.hattuscha.de/02-063-250x452.jpg

Temple 5 with the King's Gate in the background
http://www.hattuscha.de/02-076-360x241.jpg

The King's Gate
http://www.hattuscha.de/02-089-480x292.jpg

Chamber 2, The Hieroglyph Chamber
http://www.hattuscha.de/02-095-250x373.jpg http://www.hattuscha.de/02-096-250x373.jpg http://www.hattuscha.de/02-097-260x356.jpg http://www.hattuscha.de/02-098-480x311.jpg

The Royal Citadel of Büyükkale
http://www.hattuscha.de/02-107-375x550.jpg http://www.hattuscha.de/02-110-365x240.jpg

More photos and reconstructions: http://www.hattuscha.de/English/citytour.htm

[CanOmer]

Travertine Terraces at Phrygia

Deriving from springs in a cliff almost 200 m high overlooking the plain, calcite-laden waters have created at Pamukkale (Cotton Palace) an unreal landscape, made up of mineral forests, petrified waterfalls and a series of terraced basins. At the end of the 2nd century B.C. the dynasty of the Attalids, the kings of Pergamon, established the thermal spa of Hierapolis. The ruins of the baths, temples and other Greek monuments can be seen at the site.

http://www.wondermondo.com/Images/Asia/Turkey/Denizli/Pamukkale.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wWsCtb6lLg0/UEmeOq66adI/AAAAAAAAANk/SUjF_7q2Dns/s1600/Travertine%2Bterraces%2Bof%2BPamukkale,%2BTurkey%2B(@%2BOceanCorbis).jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dm2YyI56OlE/S8PBtAJXGvI/AAAAAAAACv4/GnBUM0OuOfQ/s1600/IMG.jpg

Long Description
This site is exceptional by vurtue of its superlative natural phenomena - warm, heavily mineralized water flowing from springs creating pools and terraces which are visually stunning. It is on this outstanding natural site that Hierapolis, an exceptional example of a Graeco-Roman thermal installation, was established. The Christian monuments of Hierapolis constitute an outstanding example of an early Christian architectural complex.
Pamukkale, which literally means 'cotton castle', is the name the Turks gave to the extraordinary site of Hierapolis. The name was inspired by the preternatural landscape of bizarre forms created by calcite deposits from the hot springs that surface through a fault: mineral forests, petrified cascades and terraced pools of an immense natural nymphaeum. The ancients attributing healing powers to the hot springs (35 °C) equal to their power to metamorphose the landscape, they founded a thermal station on the site in the late 2nd century. The history of Hierapolis followed the same course as many Hellenistic cities in Asia Minor. The Romans acquired full control of it in 129 BC and it prospered under its new rulers. It was a cosmopolitan city where Anatolians, Graeco-Macedonians, Romans and Jews intermingled. The hot springs which attracted throngs of people 'taking the waters' also served another purpose: scouring and dying wool.
Further reading: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/485/

[tishtar]

hello.
I've got a few natural ones from my homeland of Khorasan:2thumbsup:
1-the Godmade Wall :
about a hundred kilometer from the city of mashad , there is a valley surrounded by small mountains, which have taken the shape of fort walls. the mountains are steep, with a kind of flat place on top, and overlook a vast distance of fertile plains. there is only one way into the city, and I think this will be a wonderful custom battle site:
11603
this is the crossing:
11604
and another picture:
11605
as you can see, the mountains are sedimentary and tall enough to make the valley impenetrable. in fact, the most valuable jewels of the iranian treasure were held here for some years.
they can also be used in the campaign as an ideal place for a fort
I hope you liked this one.
there are a few more which I will add later

[Ibrahim]

hello.
I've got a few natural ones from my homeland of Khorasan:2thumbsup:
1-the Godmade Wall :
about a hundred kilometer from the city of mashad , there is a valley surrounded by small mountains, which have taken the shape of fort walls. the mountains are steep, with a kind of flat place on top, and overlook a vast distance of fertile plains. there is only one way into the city, and I think this will be a wonderful custom battle site:
11603
this is the crossing:
11604
and another picture:
11605
as you can see, the mountains are sedimentary and tall enough to make the valley impenetrable. in fact, the most valuable jewels of the iranian treasure were held here for some years.
they can also be used in the campaign as an ideal place for a fort
I hope you liked this one.
there are a few more which I will add later

Now that is some spectacular sandstone!

how old are the rocks in the area?

[tishtar]

I do not know, and I couldn't find much about them because resources about the mountain chain (the one thousand mosques) are rather scarce.
I do know however, mostly from an accidental discovery of some fossils (which I believe belonged to Mesozoic era or later), that the region was once underwater.
the mountain range is near the Iran-turkemani border, and a few hundred kilometers from the ancient city of Asaak.
but I can definetely say they are not older than 2.5 million years old.
it is said that Timur Leng made 14 failed assaults before he was able to conquer the city.
that is all info I have.
also, I have feeling it is too late to add wonders to the list. am I right?
cheers