I have NEVER in my life had AI accept my offer of alliance, or ceasefire (they accept war though ^^). Stopped trying after the 15th or so rejection. Have I been exceptionally unlucky, or do you guys have the patience of a turtle? And do alliances even mean anything whatsoever? I try to keep them if I can, but I never thought they're actually useful. Hmm, now that I think of it, I can't actually think of an occasion where an ally backstabbed me. Is there an actual effect? Even if there is, alliances get terminated SOOOO easily. The odd man's boat attacks yours with no gain whatsoever and suddenly you're all alone.