This argument actually occurred to me while I was reading the thread on the Yuezhi, and how it seems that they are not going to make the final cut, primarily because they were not really around in 272 BC (or 482 AUC depending on who you ask), even though they did appear later on in the period that RTW:EB covers. I was also deliriously happy that the 'Gauls' and 'Germans' were replaced by more convincing tribal confederations, and that instead of RTR's fictional Illyrians we have the Epirotes.
What I am now going to advocate is that the same excellent standards for faction inclusion be applied to the 'Koinon Hellenon' because no such entity ever existed. True there were various Pan-hellenic orators, but historically Hellenic Age Greece was never united in this way, particularly not in a faction that includes both Sparta and Athens!! The Chremonidean War which is invoked to lend legitimacy to this construct didn't even start until 267 BC- so the same doctrine that applies to the Yuezhi should apply here.
Happily there is a quick and easy solution- pick either the Achaean or Aetolian Leagues as your 'Greek Cities' faction.
The best, in my view, would be the Achean League. They had a fascinating character in Aratus of Sicyon who was a true faction leader from 271 BC until 213 BC (!), as well as the influential historian Polybius. We have a complete list of the League's Strategoi on which to base family members' names. They had a sophisticated political structure and a true spirit of independence and common cause that lasted for more than a hundred years (until crushed by the Romans). The Achaean League is truly one of history's great 'what if?' moments, very much like Phyrrus and his Epirotes. If they're in the game, Aratus should be as well. There is huge potential for expanding the historical script elements down the line and truly being immersed in the history.
Aside from changing the name of the faction, we have to consider its starting position. Sparta stayed mainly aloof from both of the leagues, so it shouldn't be in, but none of the Achaean cities are really on the campaign map. Corinth was not liberated from the Makedonians until much later than 272 BC, so as a compromise I suggest that the new faction 'Akhaia Sumpoliteia' start in possession of Athens and perhaps Thermon and be given a large field army under the command of Aratus, poised to attack Corinth. This is a compromise since Thermon would more likely have been in the Aetolian League, but I think that it would be too much work at this point to change the campaign map to include Sicyon and Megalopolis. :) Sparta should be a rebel faction under Araios I and Rhodes a rebel faction as well. It would be cool to leave the Spartan king on Crete but perhaps unfair as the AI would never bring him back to save his city. Once Sparta is conquered the Spartan units that I fervently hope are coming can be intergrated in the the Akhaian army.
Selah!
P.S. You really should change the name of the Makedonian faction to the Antigonids (Basileia Antigonia?)- the Seleucid and Ptolemies were as equally Macedonian (in their own minds) as the Antigonids or for that matter the Attalids in Pergamon (now there's someplace you could put another faction!). If you're gonna change 'Egypt' to 'Ptolemaioi' as indeed you should then truly the 'Makedonians' need a look as well.
Thanks for all the gaming joy- y'all rock. If you ever come to Dublin the pints are on me boyo!
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