Colonies

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

I never build colonies. But I lowered growth and increased the bonuses of a couple of buildings so I don't need them.

About "Land Grants", this is a building group that represents the evolution of small private farms to industrialized government farms. They cause population growth and unhappiness, both bad things. I build them for a role playing effect only. They are needed in Italy for the Marian reforms though.

[germanpeon]

Thanks for the responses guys.
Concerning the Land Grants and the Marian Reforms, how exactly does that work?

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Historically, the Marian reforms took place in part due to the fact that there were few land owners (if the state owns all the farms, there is nobody with landowning status to join the army). So you need six Latifundias (highest level of industrial farming) in Italy as one of many objectives for the reform to take place.

[bovi]

IIRC, they are available to more factions. Is there any beneficial effect for them by building estates, or only the romans' reform? Of course they can give an early boost to population if you need more soldiers, but I rarely have that problem given the great military costs (which is good).

[Zaknafien]

well there is the very nice public order bonus they give.. thats the main reason i build them.

[Gazius]

I build because its there...

[bovi]

Zak, you misunderstood me. I was asking about the estates, as Marcus gave the tip of an actual good thing about them (promoting the Marian reform), not the colonies. Estates give a penalty to public order and increased population growth, so I think they're useless to other factions. Or is there any redeeming value for them too?