Trade Route

Hey all. I looked around and didn't see anything about my problem so I decided to post. My problem (one of many with this game) is Trade routes. making them and understanding them in general. I'm playing a Spartan campaign and after expanding my conquests to include Larrissa and Apallonia I'm trying to expand my trade. Apallonia has a port. I always assumed that once you had a port and discovered a new faction you would get the ability in the diplomacy tab to at least attempt a trade agreement. All I keep getting is that note saying I havent a trade route with that faction. Well, I got a port, I sailed up to various factions and discovered them with my ships but I still cant get a trade route established or having the 'Trade Agreement' listed in the diplomacy options. I dismantled the fishing port at Apallonia and made it a trade port thinking that might be the problem but I still cant get a trade route with anyone. I am trading with Athens due to an alliance but thats it. Can someone explain to me how to establish a trade route? Apparently it takes more than just having a port. Also I'm playing the game in normal mode with patch 7 if that helps any. Also all the factions pretty much seem to hate me even though I have non aggression agreements with most of them. I could really use some basic (simple explanation) info on how to fix my situation.

@Skott, the only way to get trade in the game is to have your capital connected to the trade destination. This can happen only in two ways:

1) via a direct land route. In this case, your capital should be connected via a land route to the destination faction's capital. The route can go either through your lands or through your trade partner's lands. Anybody else's lands do not count; they disrupt your trade route.

2) via a sea route. In this case, your capital needs either to be a port or to be connected to a port via a land route through your own lands and your trade partner's capital needs to be connected to a port in a similar way.

As Sparta you have the problem that the only way you can have either 1 or 2 working (with anybody else than Athens) is by capturing Athens. Capture Athens and your trade will start to flow.

There is the third, sneaky way: Sparta should be able to develop trade by losing its capital in Pelloponesus; but currently this is bugged; the trade does not reset to the new capital; at least, not the existing trade.

Some say that this is highly irrational that the only way Sparta can get trade going is by annexing Athens. I think, this is fine. Every faction has a somewhat different set of issues to solve. For Sparta, the big one is the dilemma of annexing Athens.

Yeah, I tested an attack on Athens but they are allied with 3 other factions that instantly declared war on me. Macedon being the largest of the 3. I'll have to prepare for some serious war then if I'm going to take Athens. Thanks for the info.

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Originally Posted by Skott

Yeah, I tested an attack on Athens but they are allied with 3 other factions that instantly declared war on me. Macedon being the largest of the 3. I'll have to prepare for some serious war then if I'm going to take Athens. Thanks for the info.

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@Skott, one way to go to war with Athens without getting into a war with their allies (at least at the start of the war) is join a war, siding with someone with whom Athens is at war already. Some see this as an exploit, but it's there, in the game mechanics.