Quote Originally Posted by meatwad
My point, and I am sure LEN's point, was that the Turks are a vital civilization to include, because every steppe horde, from the Bulgars (or Khazars, it depends) up to the last one, the Mongols, were Turks. Even as a lump group, they are absolutely necessary for inclusion. To throw them out and leave in Mali is stupid; I don't think it is racist, just bad judgement.
Not quite true, Scythians, Sarmatians are Iranians. But after the fall of the Sassanians, pretty much all nomads had at least some Turkish blood. (Well, there were the Alans, but...)
And while Mongols and Turks were related at first, I think evantually they adopted seprate languages, and became less related.

If it is the start date, Steepe Merc, take a look at the Civ list please. You'll omit one from the very beginning..
Good point.
But I'm quite confused. How can Rome, Arabs, and Egypt, much less America exist all at the same time?